Ed Parker’s First Shodan
Early black-belt chronology is one of the most frequently disputed subjects in Kenpo history.
The Tracy list
The current Tracy historical site identifies James Ibrao as Ed Parker’s first Shodan, promoted in 1957, and then lists Rich Montgomery, Rick Flores and other early black belts. It also places Al and Jim Tracy’s Shodan certificates in January 1962.
Why lists differ
Schools sometimes distinguish between club rank, studio rank, Shodan certificates, black-belt designations and later association recognition. A person may therefore appear in one chronology and not another depending on the rule used.
Use primary documents
A responsible family tree should show the evidence behind the placement: certificates, dated photographs, school rosters and contemporary correspondence. This reconstruction preserves the Tracy ordering while acknowledging that other branches publish different lists.
Sources & editorial notes
These sources help document the historical reconstruction. Some are lineage-specific accounts and should be read as such.