My interest in the Martial Arts began at the age of 13, after watching Yogi, a friend of mine, defend himself from someone who we all knew was studying at a very popular Martial Arts school in the 70’s. For as long as we’ve been friends, I had never known Yogi studied karate and held the rank of yellow belt, until he was forced to defend himself that day. I always used to wonder why Yogi had so much confidence in what he was doing and had no fear of others. Watching them fight and seeing that this person was unable to get through Yogi defenses, I later asked Yogi about the school he belonged to and would I be able to join.
In 1973, I began training and studying the Hybrid Style of Japanese Shotokan at the Martial Arts Dojo of Inner Peace and Strength, which was founded by Sensei Randy Giles and James McCoy. When I first started, I was the smallest one in the class weighing only 125 lbs and standing tall at 5’2’’. My instructor, Sensei Giles, was convinced then that I wouldn’t even be able to last more than 2 weeks under his style.
Training classes took place within the basement of Sensei Randy Giles house. Being in such a small space taught us how to fight in close quarters and helped me to develop my trademark Jump Side Kick, which I developed to fend off larger, stronger and bigger opponents. The inspiration for this technique came from watching Tiger Kim demonstrate a 7ft flying side kick, breaking boards. I also worked on developing my speed after being influenced by ‘Super Foot’ Bill Wallace, who was known to have the fastest kicks in Martial Arts. Over the years, the school moved to Forest Hill Community Center in Queens and then back to the Basement.
In 1976, I received my black belt and continued to train under Sensei Giles and worked out with Osin William T. Taylor. In 1980, I started teaching private classes in the basement of the building I lived in, for about 2 years. For the next 4 years after that, I began teaching at-home private lessons and at a studio in Manhattan. But I always returned home to train with Kyoshi Randy Giles and my Dojo brothers.
During this time, I received my 6th degree black belt under Kyoshi Randy Giles.
In 2002, I met Master Will Lawton, who heard about an incident in the street which involved my use of Martial Arts and asked if I would be interested in incorporating and teaching my fighting style at the Mary Mitchell Center (Fight Back Program) with him and Master Isreal Gonzales.
From 2002 to this day, I have been teaching and training at the Mary Mitchell Center while also studying the Art of Bilalian Ryu Jujitsu, under Master Will and Master Isreal. I also now hold a Degree under Hanshi Abdul H. Bilal, Chief Instructor of Bilalian Ryu Jujitsu Organization.