Grandmaster Russell Peter Francis Best, Sr. was introduced in 1964 to the martial art of Isshinryu Karate on the Island of Okinawa. Grandmaster Best was instructed under the watchful eyes of it's Grandmaster and Founder of Isshinryu Karate, Grandmaster Soke Tatsuo Shimabuku himself. The majority of students were service personel, who served on the Island of Okinawa for the better part of a year, leaving with a Kyu rank, (Green or Brown). Grandmaster Best is one of the few to leave the Island with the coveted rank of Sho-Dan, 1st Degree Black Belt, presented to him by Grandmaster Tatsuo Shimabuke personlly. Today, Grandmaster Best remains traditional to the mind and spirit of Isshinryu Karate.
Grandmaster Best continued his correspondence and long distance telephone talks with Master Steve Armstrong over the years. On 10Mar76, Master Steve Armstrong promoted Grandmaster Best to Go Dan (5th Degree). On 4Jun81, Master Steve Armstrong promoted Grandmaster Best to Roku-Dan (6th Degree). On 21Sept96, Grandmaster Best was promoted to Shichi Dan (7th Degree) by Grandmaster Karl Hovey as directed by Grandmaster Angi Uezu. On 26Aug97, Grandmaster Best was inducted into Grandmaster Don Nagle’s AOKA Hall of Fame in Bayonne, NJ for, (1) Silver Life Achievement of the Year and (2) Master Instructor. On 20Sept97, Grandmaster Best was promoted to Hachi Dan (8th Degree) by Grandmaster Angi Uezu. On 15Jun99, Grandmaster Karl Hovey was directed by Grandmaster Angi Uezu to promote Grandmaster Best to Ku Dan (9th Degree).
On 27May06, Grandmaster Phil Little nominated Grandmaster Best for induction into the World Head of Family Sokeship Council-INTERNATIONAL HALL OF FAME for Grandmaster Instructor of the Year Award in Isshin-Ryu.
On July 29, 2011 Grandmaster Best was inducted into the INTERNATIONAL ISSHIN-RYU KARATE HALL OF FAME (Group 32) in Chattanooga, Tenn., he also received recognition for being nominated for the Annual Spirit of Isshin-Ryu Award.
