Henry's Unique Accomplishments

1. He was awarded the tri-colour belt. This was a special belt awarded to Henry. There was only one in the world that was ever given out. The significance of the belt was that it was next in line after the two red belts, T Chitose and G Yamaguchi.

2. He was the only American ever awarded the title of Commissioner. As such he was the only one who was authorized to award a 4^th degree Shi han instructor's license, other than the two red belts.

3. He was the only American to ever compete in the Lame and Kill Matches and WIN.

4. If he outlived the two red belts, he would have been awarded the red belt and become the number one ranking belt in the world under the International Karatedo Federation of Japan.

5. We know he trained in the martial arts in Japan in the late 1940's. He was the first American to train under Chitose in Kempo, Goju ryu and Chito ryu.

6. While training in the dojos of Japan in the early 1950's he defeated all opponents in all styles of martial arts. There are no records of him being defeated.

7. While in Japan, Chitose sought out Henry and asked him to train directly under him. This was unheard of, for a master to seek out a student for training. There is no record of this occurring at any other time.

8. He was the first American to issue a 4^th degree instructor's license in Chito ryu, while in Japan.

9. He was the first American to issue a 4^th degree instructor's license in Chito ryu, in the United States.

10. He was the first American to award a first degree black belt in Chito ryu,to an American civilian who was Elvis Presley

11. He awarded me, as a civilian, the first 4^th degree black belt instructor's license in Chito ryu and Goju Ryu.

12. He was the first one in the world to ever receive the title of 3^rd ranking belt in the world, under the International Karatedo Federation of Japan.

13. He was one of only three to receive the Chief Examiner's Award given by the Emperor. The other two recipients were Yamaguchi and Chitose.

14. Due to his rank and authority, none of the belts he awarded up to a 4^th degree instructor's license had to be sanctioned and they were recognized by the masters shown on his certificates, as being legitimate.

15. He matched and defeated 119 opponents in succession, who were the very best in the world, while sustaining 6 cracked ribs and continuing the matches to win on the second day.

16. He received a 5^th degree from the masters under three disciplines: Kempo, Chito ryu and Goju ryu. This has not ever been duplicated.

17. He received a 5^th degree after the matches, which was the same rank as G Funakoshi, and was the highest rank that could be received at that time.

18. He is the only person in the world to have received a 5^th degree in Kempo Karatedo from Chitose as one of the masters listed on his certificate. The four masters listed are: Gogen Yamaguchi, Tsuyoshi Chitose, Juhatsu Kyoda and Gichen Funakoshi. No one else in the world has ever received this rank from these masters.

19. Since the 4^th degree was the highest rank in the Federation, the 5^th degree could only be awarded to Henry as winner of the Lame and Kill matches.

20. After the matches and his rank was awarded he never had to match again.

21. He was awarded a 6^th degree by Chitose under only Chito ryu in 1960, as he wanted Henry to represent him in the United States. He was unable to do this as he was serving three tours in Viet Nam.

22. In 1960, Henry Slomanski was the only person in the world, other than Chitose, who could issue a 5th degree Shi Han in Chito ryu and did, in fact issue one to Wallace Ruemann in 1965.

23. He had the same authority to issue belts of the same rank, as the two red belts.