Gye Nyame Ryu

Soke Adam Battle , was a 10th degree Black Belt and Founder and Chief Instructor of the Gye Nyame Ryu System of JuJitsu. He traced his Martial Arts training to the legendary Dr. Moses Powell with whom he trained for over thirty years. He is a member of the Christian Martial Arts Hall of Fame, the Soke Little John Davis Black Belt Hall of Fame, and the Action Black Belt Hall of Fame. Soke Battle taught his students not only the Physical Discipline of the Martial Arts, but equally important, the Mental and Spiritual Disciplines necessary for a Jujitsuka Practitioner to be successful both on and off the mat. Most impressively, Soke Battle taught these lessons not only by his words, but also by the way he lived.

Commitment to Physical Discipline

In his youth, Soke Battle was a remarkable physical specimen. He continually emphasized to his students the importance of being physically strong, the necessity of being able to withstand pain, and the ability to deliver pain when required. His techniques were grounded in the principle of Powe - one of his favorite mantras was A Block Is A Strike. Soke Battle brought these concepts to life through his rigorous exercise regiments, that he both led and in which he participated with great enthusiasm. Even in his later years, as he faced multiple illnesses, Soke Battle drew upon the strength he had built over a lifetime. This reservoir of physical resilience enabled him to travel two to three hours each way, several times a week, to attend his various treatment appointments.

Mental Strength and Endurance

Soke Battle taught that physical strength alone was not sufficient for a true Martial Artist. He often said that the true fight did not begin until exhaustion set in, and that one's mind had to be stronger than the body. The exercises he assigned demanded not onlystrength, but also endurance. When his students tired, he encouraged perseverance, and instructed the students to visualize themselves successfully completing the task. If the students reached their limits, he reminded them that self-mastery must precede victory over another. In his later days, even as illness took its toll oh his body, Soke Battle continued to fight - resting when needed but always returning to the battle the next day.

Spiritual Leadership and Compassion

Soke Battle was a deeply spiritual man on the mat, and stressed the importance of believing in something greater than one's self. He demonstrated generosity by accepting students who could not afford to pay, believing that everyone deserved the opportunity to train. He continued to work with students who struggled with even the most basic techniques, confident that dedication and practice would lead to improvement. Off the mat he was an active member of his church and attended services regularly. In his teaching, he embodied the virtues of Faith, Hope. and Charity, treating his students with kindness and patience.

Legacy

Soke Adam Battle was not only a gifted, Martial Artist - he was an even better person. Through his actions, he demonstrated that studying the Martial Art is much more than learning how to fight - it is learning a way of life. The values he lived by and taught have left a lasting impressions on his students, who will always be grateful to him for everything that he taught, and who will miss him deeply.