Shihan Neal was born in Portsmouth, Virginia. Shihan Neal's introduction to the martial arts came at a young age from his uncle, who taught him oriental self-defense. He began formal training in the 1940's under Professor K. Nakae, receiving his black belt in Jiu-jitsu in 1944, shortly before enlisting in the Marines.
While stationed at Camp Lejuene in Jacksonville, North Caroline he became hand to hand combat and knife instructor, studying the way of the renowned knife expert A. D. Biddle under John Styers.
In 1953 the government requested him to train the Navy Underwater Demolition team, now known as the Navy Seals, in hand to hand combat. Also at camp Lejuene he joined the base Judo team, studying under Frank Hubbard.
S. D. Pearson introduced him to Shorin Karate.
He continued serving in the Marines throughout WWII and the Korean War. After leaving the service, when denied admittance to a Norfolk club because he was black, Neal Shihan, with the help of Don Draeger organized the Authentic Judo Club and the Kindai Ryu, affiliated with Shu Fu Yu Danshakai. Perhaps the first continuous clubs in Tidewater area, it was open to everyone, regardless of race or sex. He also conducted classes in the back of his family-owned shoe shop in this hometown of Portsmouth, Virginia. These classes continued until the shop was closed in 1977.
In 1955 Neal, Shihan trained under Sashi, Matsumoto and Keizo Ohashi, instructors of the Japan Maritime Defense Force. He also studied Judo and jiu-jitsu katas under Hiroshige Yoshida, Hokkoryu Jiu-jitsu, under Clement Riedner, Tae Kwon do under Akio Mitake and Nebuhiro Hayashi. Shito ryu Karate and Goshin Budo Juijitsu under Siyogo Kuniba, Soke Seishin-Kai Karate Union, with which he has been associated since 1966.
Neal Shihan earned Sandan in Judo from the U.S. judo Association, Rokyudan in Juijitsu from the American Bushido Martial Arts Federation, Sandan from the Seishin Kai Goshin Budo Union, and Nidan in Shito Ryu Karate from the Seishin Kai Karate Union.
A twenty seven year Veteran with the Portsmouth Police Department and a Lieutenant of Police, Lt. Neal served mostly in youth Services and crime Prevention/ police community Relations unit. In command of the department's crime Prevention unit at the time of his death, he consistently remained active with other activities designed to help prevent criminal conduct and to build character and integrity among people he came into contact with. His efforts and his expertise in the Martial Arts led to his being the highest-ranking Martial artist employed as a police instructor in the state of Virginia. In addition to other agencies, both Federal and State. Lt. Neal had taught at police agencies throughout the Hampton Roads and Peninsula area of Tidewater, also at Tidewater Community College, and at local YMCAs
Among his students have been Willie Hunter, Shihan and director of Portsmouth's First National Authentic Karate Tournament, Harold Hankin, Shihan of the Authentic Karate School and Weapon expert Ronald Duncan.
In all his years teaching the martial arts, Neal Shihan previously stated " My most enjoyable experience was to develop and teach self defense class for the physically handicapped, seeing the self-confidence and pride of accomplishment is instilled in the student." He produced an Annual Martial Arts Extravaganza show to raise funds for transportation of handicapped student to and from free classes.
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For more
information, contact Shihan Henry McCoy by email at Nnchiku7@aol.com
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