Grandmaster Delford Fort

 

Grand Master Delford Fort started in the martial arts in 1967. Mr. Fort learned Wing Chun under Master Hotz a 70 year old brick layer who saw something special in Mr. Fort who closed his class and only instructed Fort in the way of longevity. After receiving a black belt at a early age and after the death of Master Hotz, Fort began training where he could, His mother enrolled him into a Tae-Kwon-Do Ji-Do-Kwan school under Mr. Tommy Comings who studied the martial arts while stationed in Seoul Korea earning a black belt. And later learning from greats such as Howard Jackson, Michael Jones a student of the great Moses Powell, Master Fort over the years has studied AiKi Ju Jitsu, Judo, Shotokan, Wrestling, and holds the title MKU (Master) under the Alkebu-Lan Martial Arts Federation, by combining these disciplines Master Fort created his own system called Yochin-Ryu (Devastation and immobilization) Master Fort sits on the board of directors of the following organizations I.C.E (individual Conquering Excellence) TSDMAS (Tang Soo Do Martial Arts  Society), Inducted to the Youth Karate-Ka Hall of Fame, former member of the AKA (American Karate Association), USKA (United States karate Assoc), Now a member of the MSKC (Michigan Sport Karate Circuit as a promoter of karate tournaments). Master Fort has a very impressive tournament record having won over 100 Grand Championships and over 400 trophies and awards for his contributions to the martial arts his greatest Grand Championship trophy was won in 1982 in Detroit, MI at Wayne State University a bare knuckle full contact no blood disqualification tournament held by the Great Kajana Cetshwayo Master instructor of the Belts of Kenpo which is described as people getting knocked out all over the tournament floor. When karate novice Delford Fort transformed his mother's Westside Detroit basement into a training facility over three decades ago, he only wanted to share what he had learned about martial arts in a effort to deter his neighborhood friends from the lure of fast money from selling drugs or gang affiliation. What came from this inspiration was seven inner city black belts and the inception of Yellow Tigers Karate. With the help of founding students/members Darryl Brown, Quintin Harbin, Tony Knight, Eric Knight, Derrick Lacey, Jake Mines, and Bruce Richardson. Fort built an organization that does much more than train and compete in the martial arts events . The Yellow Tigers have provided positive direction, just as they practiced themselves, to literally thousands of people throughout metropolitan Detroit area.

 

 Master Don Tillery

 

Master Don Tillery began his martial arts training while a Military Policeman in the U.S. Army. While in the U.S. Army Mr. Tillery earned his Blackbelt in Isshin-Ryu Karate in 1984. Mr. Tillery was also certified by the United States Karate Association (USKA), Law Enforcement International under Grandmaster Robert Trias as a Police Self Defense Instructor. Mr. Tillery was Honorably Discharged in 1985. Upon returning to his home in Waterford Mr. Tillery began teaching karate free of charge to area students. Mr. Tillery is also a Retired Michigan State Police Sergeant. During his time in the State Police Mr. Tillery taught police officers throughout Michigan in Unarmed Self Defense, Pressure Points and Control Tactics, Kubaton, and Ground Fighting. Mr. Tillery earned a 2nd Dan Blackbelt in American Kenpo Karate while living in Lapeer, Michigan. Mr. Tillery has also studied Tang Soo Do and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Master Dan Cousineau in Lapeer, Michigan. Mr. Tillery also instructed American Kenpo Karate at the Dragon Karate School, under Master Dan Cousineau. While in Lapeer Master Tillery started, instructed and coached the Combined Lapeer High Schools Karate Team, which competed around Michigan. Master Tillery developed his own style of karate entitled Bushi-Ryu Karate (Warrier's Way Karate) which was certified by Grandmaster Kang Rhee. Master Tillery also earned his 3rd Dan Blackbelt from Grandmaster Rhee. Master Tillery was honored on December 22, 2007 at the I.C.E. Martial Arts Federation in Detroit, Michgan. Martial Arts icons from across Michigan were on-hand to celebrate, fellowship, and recognize martial artists. Mr. Tillery was made a Master and promoted to 4th Dan by Grandmaster Delford Fort and Grandmaster Tony Knight, Sr. Master Tillery was honored and humbled when many of the Grandmasters present signed his promotion certificate and Master Proclamation. 

Master Tillery is currently under the direction of Grandmaster Delford Fort.