USAMAF Biography Information

Mark S. Barlow
United States (USA) Martial Arts Federation

Shihan Barlow started his training in the mid 1970s in Judo and Jujitsu under Mr. Alex M. Marshall. While fortunate to have trained with many world class instructors, Soke Marshall exerted the strongest and most positive influence. Soke Marshall was the Defensive Tactics instructor for the Birmingham, Alabama Police Academy for almost 20 years and held high rank in Judo, Aikido, Shinin-Ryu Jujitsu and Jikishinkage-Ryu Jujitsu. The system he eventually developed contains elements of all these arts. Naming the style Akayama-Ryu, he gave teaching licenses to his two senior students, Richard Worthington and Mark Barlow, and allowed them to teach and promote his art.

Upon Soke Marshall's death in 1994, Mark assumed leadership of the Ryu, as was his wish. While many of his students have competed successfully in Jujitsu, Judo, grappling and no holds barred tournaments, Akayama-Ryu's primary focus is, and will remain, self defense. Both Shihan Worthington and Shihan Barlow assisted Soke Marshll in teaching at the Police Academy and he is a member of the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers. This has kept Akayama-Ryu a practical and comprehensive martial art.

Along with his training under Soke Marshall, Shihan Barlow also studied Jikishinkage-Ryu Aikijujitsu with Shihan Toshi Takikawa, Tomiki-Ryu Aikido with Karl Geis Sensei and Shodokan Aikido under Shihan Tetsuro Nariyama. While not been able to spend the time with them as he would like, he also counts Shihan Gene LeBell, Soke Skip Koepke and Soke Toshishiro Obata as much appreciated instructors who have helped him with both physical training, practical advice and guidance since becoming Nidai Soke.

For close to a quarter century, Shihan Barlow has devoted much of his time and energy to the study and promotion of the Japanese grappling arts. Although he has also studied tantojutsu, tessenjutsu, hojojutsu, kenjutsu, jodo and muay thai, he sees these other arts as auxiliary to the comprehensive system of Akayama-Ryu. Everything he has learned or experienced has reinforced his belief and faith in Soke Marshall's combat style.

Shihan Barlow's current ranks are:
Hachidan, Nidai Soke: Akayama-Ryu Jujitsu 
Godan: Seki-Ryu Jujitsu 
Sandan: Jikishinkage-Ryu Aikijujitsu 
Sandan:  Judo 
Nidan: Tomiki-Ryu Aikido 
Shodan: Shodokan Aikido

Mark S. Barlow 
Akayama-Ryu Jujitsu 
P.O. Box 2062 Orange Beach, AL 36561
Website: http://akayama.topcities.com/

 

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