[
Kenpo |
Kenpo Dragons
|
MC Tigers |
World Karate Union
|
Tae Kwon Do ]
My father started training me in Kenpo karate when I was 11.
I really enjoyed the martial arts and spent a lot of time at "American
Karate Studios" in Philadelphia, PA, USA. I actually wanted
to quit karate so I could skateboard more when I was a green belt (about
halfway to black belt), but my father's discipline helped me stay focused.
I earned my 1st degree black belt in Kenpo Karate when I was 14 and
I started teaching children's classes immediately afterwards.
As time went on, I started teaching in Willow Grove (15), Lansdale (16-17)
and eventually Ambler, PA (18-22) at the Montgomery County Martial Arts
Center. I continued teaching and training at the Montgomery
County Martial Arts Center and earned my 2nd degree black belt on June
17, 1995.
I no longer train in Kenpo though. On October 23, 2000, I (along with
my sister Jessica) joined DeStolfo's School of Tae Kwon Do in Conshohocken,
PA. I've always loved the fancy kicks of Tae Kwon Do and incorporated
the moves into my form. I guess I was a freak to the Kenpo nature since
Kenpo techniques very rarely have you kicking above the knee. I had
been searching for a new karate school for awhile and I think DeStolfo's
is the right place to call my new martial arts home. I also train in capoeira with ASCAB in Philly on a "when I can make it there" basis. I dabble in gymnastics as well from time-to-time.
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When I was teaching karate full-time, I organized a team of children
and adults that were interested in "sport karate". They
were a dedicated bunch and were some of the most disciplined people
I have ever met in my life (shoot, they HAVE to be if I'm
their coach). Together we traveled on the national and international
sport karate circuits learning from the world and improving ourselves
(not to mention having lots of fun at the hotels). My most memorable
moment from the Kenpo Dragons National Karate Team is when my students
Jessica Becerra and Joe Miller both won gold medals at the 1995 World
Karate Union World Championships and earned the title of "world
champion".
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I was a choreographer for the MCTigers Demo Team based right here in
Ambler, PA. We performed at many schools, organizations and businesses.
I can't remember all of them and might have video of them put away.
One of these days I'll find the time to search for the video so I can
digitize. Nowadays I run DeStolfo's demo team. We're pretty new still
but doing great.
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The WKU is an international sport karate organization which hosts tournaments
for martial artists of all ranks and styles. I traveled the circuit
extensively between 1995 and 1996. My discipline helped me achieve
3 gold medals and 2 silver medals at the 1995 WKU World Championships.
- Mens Black Belt Self-Defense - Gold Medal
- Mens Black Belt Musical Forms - Gold Medal
- Mens Black Belt Weapons Forms - Gold Medal
- Mens Black Belt Sparring - Silver Medal
- Mens Black Belt Creative Forms - Silver Medal
I was also lucky enough to be inducted to the WKU Hall of Fame on July
29, 1996 as the Competition Coach of the Year.