| About Us |
| Brief History Gattai Martial Arts was formed in February 2005, by Instructors Fernando Sanchez and Lucy Sanchez, who are cousins and have been practicing martial arts together since the 1980s. They have won hundreds of competitions across the country, bringing home Grand Championship awards in Kumite (sparring/fighting) and Forms, as well as weapons. In addition to becoming great martial artists, they have also kept their oath to their community by emphasizing the value of service to their students and implementing programs that demonstrate the importance of giving back. What does "Gattai" mean? "Gattai" was derived from the Japanese translation of the word "united." The two founders, along with instructors Jon Robinson and Margie Sanchez, who have been studying martial arts for over 20 years each, selected this name because it reflects the goal of the martial arts system - to unite various martial art styles, the community and the next generation of great martial artists. What style will you learn? At Gattai Martial Arts students will be challenged to do their very best at all times. Students will learn a combination of Goshi Shun, Shotokan, TaeKwonDo and Aiki Jitsu. This style was created through the original teachings of Plainfield Police Community Athletic League Martial Artists Myke Washington, Michael Gilliam and Jon Robinson under the auspice of "Wazito-Ryu," which means sharp, hard style in Swahili. Goshi Shun is a self-defense style that is rooted in the Japanese Karate tradition. This style primarily focuses on self-defense movements of the hands as opposed to the feet. IT was introduced to the Untied States in the mid- 1950s and has since grown into several variations. Goshi Shun was merged into the Wazito-Ryuy style through the guidance of Grandmasters Wayne Ford, Alan Simms, and James E. Fain. Shotokan Karate originated in Okinawa as a means of unarmed self-defense. IT was brought over to Japan in the 1920s by Gichin Funakoshi and then to the U.S. in the 1950s. This style places emphasis on Shorei-ryu - very powerful, but slow techniques and Shorin-ryu - faster and versatile techniques, but less powerful. Taekwondo existed in Korea over the last 2,000 years and is the combination of a variety of different styles. IT primarily focuses on kicking techniques as well as the linear motions of karate and the flowing patterns of kung fu. Taekwondo was brought to the Untied States after a demonstation at the United Nations headquarters in 1963, and has since become a well-regarded Olympic sport. Aiki jitsu is derived from Japan and teaches the power of balance and self-defense. It is a combination of aikido and jujitsu and empowers students to defend themselves by using their opponents energy and the natural flow of their body and techniques. |
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| 1320 South Avenue, Plainfield, New Jersey 07061 732-397-4693 |
| Gattai Martial Arts has students from all over the Union County area, ranging in age from 4 into their 50s. In addition to Gattai, which is Japanese for united, representing the combination of martial arts styles taught; it also represents the diversity of the students, where they are from and how we are "uniting" various communities. |