Black Belt Magazine 50th Anniversary Issue recognizes Prof. Ronald Duncan

In the latest issue of Black belt Magazine, January 2011 issue, Black belt commemorates thier 50 years of publication in a 5 part series of articles in which they list the highlights from the martial arts world during Black Belt's first half century.

Part 1 of a 5 covering their 50 year run starts off with a look back to the sixties. In 1964, listed as one of the highlights of the sixties Black Belt gives mention to none other than Prof. Ronald Duncan, and specifically mentioned that in 1964 "Ronald Duncan, 27, was teaching ninjutsu in N.Y."

Born in Panama. Professor Ronald Duncan began training in boxing at the age of seven. Since Professor Ronald Duncan grew up in an area where many of the elite military forces of that country were training in jungle warfare, he learned at an early age to read the signs of nature for directions in and out of the jungle. It was the beginning of a long and very involved career in many aspects of the martial arts.

Ronald Duncan went on to serve in the United States Marine Corp where he was a member of the USMC Judo team and earned one of his earliest black belt rankings. Professor Duncan went on to earn a black belt in several other disciplines such as Hakko Ryu Jujitsu, Dai-nippon Jujitsu Ryu, Sosuishi Ryu, Kin Dai Gakko Ryu, Aikido, Aiki-Jujitsu, Kempo, Kobujitsu (weaponry), and Shinobino-jitsu (popularly known as Ninjitsu). His teachers were all legendary men; Charlie Neal, Ernie Cates, Tatsuo Uzaki, and Don Draeger.

Evolving into such a versatile practitioner of the martial arts, Professor Ronald Duncan became the first non-oriental to be publically recognized in "Official Karate" magazine as a master of martial arts weaponry. For many years to come, Professor Duncan would thrill audiences around the world with spectacular demonstrations that would include vast assortments of traditional and non traditional weapons. Ronald Duncan was also the first to be shown catching live arrows with his bare hands on nationally televised programs such as "Thrill Seekers", and "Wide World of Sports".

Ronald Duncan has taught Special Troops, Navy S.E.A.L. Teams, law enforcement agencies, and various government agencies in foreign countries. He is also a certified expert in firearms, and competition shooting. Having such knowledge in firearms, Professor Duncan is quite proficient in combative and gun disarming tactics. Since the establishment of his Way of the Winds™ System, schools internationally are affiliated with him. He has taught in Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Panama, England and South Africa. He has also been involved with the blind, physically handicapped, and homeless inner-city youth.

Ronald Duncan is a recipient of numerous Hall of Fame awards and honors including the Professional Karate Federation in 1977, Turtull Hall of Fame in 1981, Marine Martial Arts Federation Hall of Fame Charter Life Member in 1997, Martial Arts Masters, Pioneers & Legends Hall of Fame 1997, Tribute to the Greatest Masters of the Twentieth Century Hall of Fame (sponsored by Wesley Snipes) in 1998, and The World Head of Family Sokeship Council Hall of Fame 1999, and AFMA Hall of Fame 2000.

Prof. Duncan was the first to practice and teach Ninjutsu in the states beginning in the 60’s before the ninja craze hit America in the 80's and 90's. Today, Professor Ronald Duncan is often acknowleged as the ”Father of American Ninjutsu” . There was a time when Ninjutsu was not being practiced publicly in this country but Ronald Duncan was one of a few individuals who dared to seek out and study the arts of the ninja. Since then, other ninjutsu practitioners and schools have emerged.