OKINAWAN SHORIN RYU
KOKUSAI KEMPO-KARATE-DO & KOBUDO FEDERATION, INC.
There has been many articles written in regards to the Martial arts history in different parts of the world including Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.
I would like to share with you some of the research I have done in regards to the development of the Martial Arts in Puerto Rico.
In my research I have found out certain aspects that were never giving enough importance when it comes to the true development of the Martial Arts in Puerto Rico especially in the art of Karate.
As a native and resident of this beautiful Island in the Caribbean since 1969. I have witness the development of Karate and other disciplines in the Island.
Through constant research I have discover the truth, about when and who were responsible for its development.
Lets go back when Karate really started to grow in the Island. Even though there were Karate practitioners in the mid 60's the Karate boom really started in 1969-70.
During the year 1964-67 there was a name of a teacher that stood out, his name was and still is Hector Montijo, consider the father of Karate here in the Island. Mostly every so call traditional Karate practitioner of today had practice or had been a student of Sensei Montijo one way or another.
Sensei Montijo during that era was the Maestro, the first puertorrican to establish a Dojo and system. The first independent instructor to teach in the Island. According to Sensei Montijo he learn Karate while in the US services and upon his return to his homeland, Puerto Rico he decided to open a Dojo and teach what he had learn.
Even though there were a few traditional Karate schools in the Island, Montijo's Karate Dojo was the first. Also none of the traditional styles really had the impact in growing and spreading like the Free styles did.
Traditional styles in Puerto Rico were limited to a just a few and really had no exclusive impact in the development of the Martial Arts here in the Island.
I believe 1969-70 was the beginning of a new era for the Martial Arts in Puerto Rico. This was the time when Martial Arts actually started to develop and spread all over the Island. Most of the largest organizations here in Puerto Rico were and have always been establish by independent martial artist.
You have to give credit to those brave puertorrican martial artist that decided to go on their own, they are consider to be the true leaders and Pioneers of the Martial Arts here in the Island.
Another legend in Karate, Gilberto Rodriguez, who return to Puerto Rico from the US mainland around 1961-63. Hanshi Rodriguez is also one of the Pioneers of the new Karate era that started back in 1969-70.
Around 1966-67 he associated with Roberto Rios, they became partners and open a Dojo in the San Juan metropolitan area. Eventually they associated with Mass Oyama's Kyokushinkai Karate organization. Mr. Rios mostly gave the classes while Mr. Rodriguez was more involved in the administration of the schools. Mr. Rodriguez, on his interview for this article stated: Roberto Rios was never my teacher, he was only my partner or business associate.
In 1968-69, like many partnerships, Mr. Rodriguez and Mr. Rios had differences and finally split up. Mr. Rios stay with the Kyokushinkai organization while Mr. Rodriguez decided to establish his own system and organization, better known as "Garyu Rico Do Karate". Master Rodriguez prove to be a true leader in the Martial Arts. He created an empire with over 25 schools all over the Island. Over 1,000 students that were all proud of the style they represented.. Mr. Rios soon after the break up decided to return back to the US mainland where because of his job and personal affairs is no longer active in the Martial Arts.
Mr. Rodriguez is still living in Puerto Rico, he has a very successful Satellite business and still practices his Karate. He named Marcelino Torres one of his most loyal students and black belt in charge of the system. Also during the 70's there was another great leader in the Martial Arts that was also responsible for the development of the Martial Arts in Puerto Rico.
His name is Jose A. Pabón, better known as Tony. He establish his own system better known as "Tai Fu Shoi Karate-Do" he uses a Red Scorpion as his symbol or trade mark for his style. He has always been very successful, with over 28 schools at one time all over the Island. As a Teacher, Leader and Friend he has help many a Martial Arts Instructors get organized and become more successful in the styles they teach.
Most of the successful free styles of Karate organization and Instructors in Puerto Rico relate or have been students at one time of Tai Fu Shoi and Hanshi Tony Pabón, Soke. For example, International Kyodai Ryu Karate, headed by Kyoshi Freddie Medina, Soke, Shihan Ruby Camacho International Karate, Shihan Lourdes Báez Karate-Do, Shihan Omayra Roman's Ki-Zen Ryu International Karate and many other free style that are well known here in Puerto Rico and the US.
The truth is that these persons are some of the few living Dinosaurs responsible for the spread, development and improvement of the Martial Arts in Puerto Rico. Credit should go to those who really deserve it. Another martial artist that establish himself as great leader was Joaquin Casado. He also moved back to Puerto Rico in the 60's. A student of Aaron Banks and Goju Ryu Karate. He is the founder of the Sansei-Do Goju Karate system. As a leader he establish many Dojos, promoted and helped many a black belts and instructors up the ladders of success. As a leader and teacher he was responsible for the spread and development of many independent Goju organizations and free styles in Puerto Rico.
Mr. Enrique Pabón, a Law Enforcement Police Officer was well known since the early 70's. He was the Director and Chief Instructor of the Puerto Rico Shorinji Kempo Ryu organization. His system was well known for having excellent Sports competitors specially in sparring. One of his most famous students and tournament coordinator was Shihan Luis Gonzalez. Shihan Gonzalez was not just a good promoter and leader, he was also a very good competitor. Gonzalez later on in the 80's also establish his own organization better known as Nippon Kempo-Karate-Do Kyokai. Shihan Gonzalez past away on October of 1994. The Nippon Kempo-Karate-Do is still active and is run by his top student Shihan Emilio Perales.
When we mention Tae Kwon Do in Puerto Rico there is no other name more mention than Danny Ortiz. Danny is from the southern part of the Island, Ponce, where he had establish himself as a great Instructor, leader, promoter and competitor. He is consider the Pioneer for Tae Kwon Do in Puerto Rico. In the metropolitan area, Benny Rivera is the name when it comes to the ITF Taekwondo. Benny has been the most successful Tae Kwon Do Instructor in Puerto Rico with schools all over the Island.
When we talk about Kung-Fu the name Carmelo Munet always comes up, he was very active in the metropolitan area . He was highly respected as a Instructor and as an excellent competitor. Known for his demos and beautiful forms.
Kung-Fu credits for the Western and Southern region of the Island goes mostly to Dr. Mariano Rivera and his Independent Shaolin Tsu Kempo organization. They are known and respected for having excellent fighters and competitors. Dr. Rivera is now living in Columbia. His son Jose G. Rivera is head of the organization in Puerto Rico.
Sifu Christian Paniagua was also one of the most outstanding Kung-Fu Instructors in the Eastern Central Region of the Island. In the South Eastern part of the Island, Sibok Orlando Gonzalez gets the credit for being the pioneer and teacher of the Eagle Claw system of Kung-Fu.
In the early 70's there was also a free style call Sikaran, that was founded by Master Lagarejos from Guam. Mr. Lagarejos lived in Puerto Rico for many years. He is now living in his homeland. Even though a small group still in Puerto Rico that is headed by his loyal student for many years, Marcelino Collazo, which is the chief Instructor here in the Island.
Like in any country there are good and there are not so good martial artist. In this article I am not judging anyone whether they are good or bad. I am just giving credits to those who really deserve it, to those leaders that truly promoted the Martial Arts here in the Island.
As an traditional martial artist (Okinawan Karate-Do) some may wonder, how dare he gives credit to the free styles and not to the so call traditional styles. The truth is that the so call traditional styles and teachers in Puerto Rico during the 60's, some of them had and still have, an incorrect superiority complex. The so call traditional Dojo's, were run, and still are more or less like a Clan type of organization. They were mostly small groups and still are. Where thus the teacher was highly Worship. They seemed to misunderstand the meaning of the world Respect and Discipline with Idolize. Some Dojo's were more interested in who was the best, strongest and most traditional.
That's why some of those so call traditional groups never develop or grew like the independent and free styles did. I can not give credit to a bunch of high headed individuals that keep their basic training mostly to themselves and taught they were Gods.
When I moved to Puerto Rico in the end of 1969. About the middle of 1970 or so I became interested in learning Karate. My first Karate teacher was Sensei Gilberto Rodriguez of the Garyu Rico Do Karate system.
After
visiting various so call traditional Dojos I was certain that Mr. Rodriguez was going to be my Sensei. He had the qualities of what I believe a martial arts instructor and leader should have. No wonder he had so many good students. For more information regarding my martial arts biography take a look at my web site http://www.geocities.com/okinawa_bill .In case you did not know , Grand Master Peter Urban had a high impact in the development of the martial arts here in the Island also. He was the first American Martial Artist to say "No Way" to the
Orientals. He is responsible for the spread of mostly all the free style Goju systems and other styles in the US and Puerto Rico.Many well known Instructors in Puerto Rico develop and organize their own systems and organizations during the 8o's. To name a few Leaders, Hanshi Humphrey Gomez, Saizen Goju Karate, Hanshi Carlos Paris, Yosei Goju Karate, Kyoshi Hector M. Rivera, Go-Jutsu-Do Kai Karate, Shihan Luis Gonzalez, Nippon Kempo-Karate-Do Kyokai, Shihan Vicente Guzman, Borinquen Ryu Karate, Hanshi Carlos J. Lopez, Semai Do Karate, Hanshi Carlos A. Diaz, Zen Ryoku Zenyo Karate
among many others.One of the pioneers of the Goju System in Puerto Rico since the early 70's is Hanshi Humphrey Gomez, Soke. He is the founder of the Saizen Goju Ryu Karate system with school not only in Puerto Rico but also in Florida, USA and the Dominican Republic.
Hanshi Carlos Paris, Soke a student of Hanshi Gomez has been one of the most influential Martial Arts and Teacher when it comes to the development of independent Goju Karate system in Puerto Rico. He has always been highly respected as a Teacher and Leader in the puertorrican Martial Arts community.
When it comes to traditional Karate do in the central part of the Island the name Tony Mendez always comes up, a Shito Ryu practitioner he is highly respected for being the pioneer and founder of the Puertorrican Karate do Federation (FE.PU.KA.) and also responsible for organizing the WUKO Karate do organization, known today as the World Karate Federation (WKF) here in the Island. The FE.PU.KA. is the only Karate do Federation that has been officially accepted by the Puerto Rico Olympic Committee and other world organizations. Shihan Mendez's achievements as a leader in WKF Karate do in Puerto Rico has been outstanding.
Unfortunately some martial artist are upset because of this article. The truth hurts sometimes. We have an old saying here in the Island, "If the Shoe Fits, Put it On".
As a dedicated martial artist and witness here of, I believe it is my duty to inform everyone the true facts regarding the martial arts in Puerto Rico.
I dare not question if these martial arts leaders responsible for the development of the martial arts in Puerto Rico were legitimate, had credentials, Ranks, titles, knowledge or what ever negative thing we may think of. The purpose for this article is to inform the reader and give credit to those responsible, for the development of the Martial Arts in Puerto Rico.
During the 80's and 90's the puertorrican martial arts keep on spreading. Students of some of these Pioneers and Founders became independent themselves and continue with the development of other martial arts systems and organization throughout the Island.
The Martial Arts system that mostly influence the development of other eclectic styles has been Goju Ryu. In the 80's a student of the well known Soke Carlos Paris was Hanshi Ruben Rossy, who has always been well known for his excellent Kata and for being an excellent Teacher. He is the founder of the Tanren Goju System, consider as one of the most outstanding Goju Ryu-Ha in the Caribbean.
Hanshi Miguel Arana another excellent teacher, was also a student of Grand Master Carlos Paris. He developed the Tetsu Goju Ryu Karate System. Being previous Kung Fu practitioner for many years you are able to notice and appreciate the Chinese aspect of his art in his eclectic system.
Kyoshi Freddy Medina, Soke, a student of Hanshi Tony Pabón, founded the International Kyodai Ryu Karate system has representative in different parts of the Island and also in Venezuela, Mexico, Dominican Republic, U.S. and other countries. Kyodai Ryu is highly respected for their excellent competitors, both in a national and International level. They have represented the Island in a many International tournaments throughout the world. Kyoshi Freddy Medina has always been highly respected as person and Leader.
Shihan Arturo Vasquez, Soke, also a student of Soke Paris develop and organize his own Ryu-Ha better known as the Shigoryukai Karate-Do. Shihan Vasquez is well known for being a excellent teacher especially with children.
When it comes to Ninjutsu in Puerto Rico there is no one more mention than Hanshi Arnold D. Vargas. Founder of his own system, Tsunami Ryu and other Bu-Jutsu systems. He is highly respected for being an excellent Teacher and seminarist specially with the teaching of Japanese Bu-Jutsu. Excellent in Jo-Jutsu and other Japanese weapons use in the Ninjutsu arts. He is always one of the favorites when it comes to choosing instructors for seminars.
A student of Hanshi Paris and of Kyoshi Freddy Medina, is Shihan Luis Alberto Hernandez, founder of the Ryoshi Goju system. He has always been an outstanding competitor. For over 16 years he has won almost every sparring competition in Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands. As a black belt he has also won every International open tournament he has attended in and out of Puerto Rico. His number one student Juan Ramón Fernandez
has also won almost every competition he has attended. At the “Disney Martial Arts Festival 2000" he won pt place in every black belt division that be competed. As Martial Arts competitors these men are puertorrican Legends in their own time.
Shihan Miguel Quiñonez another puertorrican legend when it comes to competition and demonstrations, an excellent Kata and Kobudo man. He is the founder of the Universal Martial Arts Academy, an eclectic martial arts system compose of Jhoon Ree Taekwondo and Isshinryu Karate.
From the central part of the Island we have Kyoshi Filiberto Matias, Soke, founder of the Bushikai Karate-Do & Kobudo Association, Inc. He was a student of Sensei Jose A. Colón, and Hanshi Hector Montijo and he is now affiliated with Hanshi Bill Solano. He has always been highly respected for his excellent Budo attitude, discipline and for being a very humanitarian person.
There are many excellent martial artist in Puerto Rico that have develop their own systems and organizations. Some are no longer active for some reason or another. I will try to mention some of those that I know and have knowledge of being active. Please forgive me if I have forgotten anyone in particular. There are a few martial artist that are not interested in publicity, they mostly keep their art to themselves. As Martial Artist we must always respect other peoples feelings and way of thinking.HISTORY WILL CONTINUE WITH MORE NAMES, STYLES, ETC.