CURATOR
Additional Information
Upon the passing of the late Grand Master Clayton McCombs in 2021, and in recognition of his commitment and dedication to the art, Santō Ichi-ryū was passed onto Eric Zimmerman who is very thankful to the McCombs family, the Cheng family from Cheng’s Martial Arts School and the Universal System of Martial Arts. Zimmerman sensei will work diligently to ensure the art remains intact, maintains its integrity and is passed down in its entirety onto the next generation.
McCombs Sensei was an incredible martial artist who devoted his life to the practice and mastery of many martial arts. We are thankful that what has been handed down to McCombs sensei will continue to flourish. His passing was not only a loss to his immediate family and friends but also to the martial art community. May his memory be a blessing.
Zimmerman sensei's martial art journey began at the age of nine; since that time he has studied various martial arts including western boxing, Tae Kwon Do, Hap-Ki Do, Kenpo, Northern Seven Star Style Praying Mantis Kung Fu, Chang Moo Kwan, Kenjutsu, Tuite and fourteenth to sixteenth century longsword. Zimmerman sensei holds Shodan in Kenpo under Grand Master Shen (Alan) Cheung and Yondan in Santō Ichi-ryū.
Zimmerman sensei has taught kenjutsu at several sites including a local university, various martial art schools, fencing organizations, seminars and offers private lessons. He has received “Instructor of the Year” by both the ‘United Fellowship of Martial Artists’ and by the ‘World Karate Hall of Fame’. He has also set an American Powerlifting Record within the World Natural Powerlifting Federation.
