Ryusaki's Hawaiian Kenpo
- Thread starter oldnovice
- Start date
Bill Ryusaki was one of Benny "the Jet" Urquidez's teachers. It's been effective for point fighters, kickboxers and people using it for self defense.
It really empasizes closing the gap with an opponent, and utilizes a fair amount of infighting; Ryusaki sensei also has a 5th(?) degree in judo, so there's a fair amount of grappling incorporated. In the end, though, it depends upon the teacher-though I've never known of any slouches or fakes coming from the system-their #2 guy is Cecil Peoples, and he was a fairly successful tournament fighter, as well as being a respected judge for UFC events now......go check it out...
Flying Crane
Sr. Grandmaster
I find it unusual that someone would teach one system as a prerequisite for another. Strange arrangement...
OP
OP
oldnovice
Yellow Belt
Thanks for your thoughts on this. I read a web entry that indicated Master Ryusaki had trained in Shotokan as a kid, and that Shotokan was part of what he based his system on, so that might explain the emphasis on closing the gap.
As you stated Benny Urquidez and Cecil Peoples both trained under Mr. Ryusaki, and they are both accomplished martial artists.
Thanks again.
OP
OP
oldnovice
Yellow Belt
It struck me as somewhat odd, too. The instructors at this particular school seem to be well-regarded, and talking to the head instructor, he indicated that he likes to start people out in Hawaiian Kenpo, because the Kajukenbo training is a lot tougher, and overhearing a conversation he had with one of his new students regarding Kajukenbo training, he (the head instructor) seemed to want to evaluate the character of his students, before teaching them Kajukenbo.
Danjo
Master Black Belt
Where exactly is this school. Can you tell us it's name or the name of the instructor?
OP
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oldnovice
Yellow Belt
The school is the World Karate Center in Centennial, CO. The head instuctor, who I spoke to, is Sifu Tim Mills. His Kajukenbo instructor, and an instructor at the school is Sifu Sam Carter. Here's a link:
www.worldkaratecenter.com/site/view/41599_Instructors.pml
If you can train with Sam Carter, I'd suggest you do. Tim Mills is probably a excellent martial artist, but Sam would be much more knowledgeable in the area of Kajukenbo.
OP
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oldnovice
Yellow Belt
Thanks Mr. Bishop, I appreciate the advice. Due to an unpredictable work schedule for the next few months, I'll be doing some stretching, and trying to get into a little better shape at home for awhile. I'll probably attend the DeThouars Family Gathering in Northglenn, CO in a few months. Some of the folks who'll be there are former Wun Hop Kuen Do people, and they might also know of other Kajukenbo or WHKD instruction in the area.
Even during the years I wasn't doing any sort of training, I was still buying martial arts magazines, and always looked forward to your articles. Looking at some old back issues last night, I found one you had written entitled "Kajukenbo - Brutality With a Purpose".
I trained briefly under Sifu Mike Radulovich, who was a student of Grandmaster Al, and Sifu Art frequently taught classes at that school, as did Sifu White.
Thanks again, Mr. Bishop.
Well thanks for the kind comments.
Here's some Kajukenbo instructors in Colorado.
Loveland Martial Arts Academy
285-B East 29th Loveland, CO 80537
970 593 1965
www.lovelandmartialarts.com
Denver Coloado (WHKD)
Sifu Artie Dacascos Denver area email: artdragon3@aol.com
Sifu Ben Fajardo
Denver Colorado
Phone (720) 628-6803
Email: Benfaj@yahoo.com or Nubreedma@hotmail.com
Here's some Kajukenbo instructors in Colorado.
Loveland Martial Arts Academy
285-B East 29th Loveland, CO 80537
970 593 1965
www.lovelandmartialarts.com
Denver Coloado (WHKD)
Sifu Artie Dacascos Denver area email: artdragon3@aol.com
Sifu Ben Fajardo
Denver Colorado
Phone (720) 628-6803
Email: Benfaj@yahoo.com or Nubreedma@hotmail.com
OP
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oldnovice
Yellow Belt
Thanks Mr. Bishop! I didn't know if Sifu Art was still in the Denver area or not. I've never met Sifu Fajardo, and didn't realize he was currently in Denver.
OP
OP
oldnovice
Yellow Belt
It's the first time I had heard of this in an American martial arts school, but In talking to Sifu Mills, I didn't sense any sort of condescension regarding his policy. The impression I got, is that he has a lot of younger students at his school, and he wants to teach them a good self defense system, while at the same time, keeping the training as injury free as possible. As they progress, he will let them train in Kajukenbo, if they want to. Again, that's just my impression. I've never trained in Emperado Method Kajukenbo, but I know at some schools the training is very tough. I have trained in Wun Hop Kuen Do, and at that school, the training was very tough.
Sifu Mills seems like a very forthright, down-to-earth guy, and in talking to him, he seemed to be proud of his association with the Ryusaki style Hawaiian Kenpo, and of his sensei in that style, Chuck Cordova. In observing a kickboxing class, and some of the folks working on Eskrima drills, he seems to have a very good school.
Danjo
Master Black Belt
Sijo Emperado once mentioned that he thought it would be a good idea for kids to start in Judo before going into the harder system. Could be a similar idea.
Doc
Senior Master
Actually I say the same thing. Got it from Ed Parker, who probably got it from Sijo. In fact I recommend gymnastics for kids, then judo, and won't teach a student until they turn 18.
It was a bit of a struggle to translate your post into English, and I'm not entirely sure it was worth the effort.
Kajukenbo was created by combining arts from Japan, Hawaii, Greece, the Philippines, China, and Korea. So what's your problem with the Chinese titles?
