Tag: kenpo

Dragon Profiles: FRANK TREJO (1952-2018)

Source

Fighter, teacher,
superstar – these are some of the labels befitting the memory of
Grandmaster Frank Trejo. Beginning his journey in the fighting arts
by learning boxing at age 8, Frank was introduced to eastern styles
via shotokan karate but found his niche in American kenpo under
founder Ed Parker. Not content to only master theory, the young black
belt initiated a competitive career in the early 70s, winning over
400 championships on the karate circuit and entering the fledgling
kickboxing scene to secure a state title. Additionally, Trejo was the
coach and captain of the Budweiser National Karate Team – America’s
first martial arts troop to receive corporate sponsorship – and
toured internationally for two years. Eventually becoming an
instructor, Frank combined his diverse experience into the “kenpo
fusion” style he taught as part of his international seminars and
work with disabled students. As if all this wasn’t enough, Trejo
also enjoyed a film career for which he acted in and choreographed
action features – mainly vehicles for fellow martial artist Mimi
Lesseos.

Tragically, health
problems plagued the grandmaster late in life, with diabetes and
complications from treatment necessitating several amputations. On
April 11, Frank Trejo died – leaving behind a major contribution to
the martial arts and an endearing legacy. He will be greatly
missed.

PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO THE FRANK TREJO
MEMORIAL FUND

Styles &
Accomplishments
Kenpo (10th
Dan, 19-time IKC Champion, Budweiser National Karate Team captain;
Kenpo Karate Hall of Fame entrant)
Kickboxing
(California State Champion, record: 21-1)
Shotokan Karate
Judo

Films to See

Pushed to the Limit (1992) –
co-starring role / fight choreographer
Beyond Fear (1993) –
co-starring role
Personal Vendetta (1995) –
co-starring role / fight choreographer

Trivia:
As
of this writing, Trejo is the only competitor in IKC history to win
international titles in both
forms
and fighting on the same day.

Video
Vs.
Ron Pohnel

Dragon Profiles: CHRISTINE BANNON-RODRIGUES

Source

No collection of
martial arts greats is complete without Shihan Christine
Bannon-Rodrigues. A New England native who chose karate over other
sports because of its high level of participation (less “time on
the bench,” as she says), she would soon realize it was her
calling. She was 17 when she earned her first black belt, and was
successfully competing at the world championship level by 25.
Competition earned Bannon-Rodrigues 135 grand championship wins, her
most notable being nine world titles at the WAKO games – two in
forms, three in weapons, and four in fighting. The “Lady Lightning”
balanced this career with one in show business, netting stunt roles
in major productions while shining as a featured fighter on the small
screen. Now retired from competition and appearing only infrequently
on film, she co-owns and teaches at the Don Rodrigues Karate Academy
in Warwick, RI.

Styles &
Accomplishments
Oki-Ryu
Kenpo (9th
Dan; 9-time
WAKO World Champion)
Kickboxing
Wushu
Judo
Jujutsu
Krav
Maga

Films to
See
Xtreme
Fighter
(2004) – co-starring role
WMAC
Masters
(1995-1996) – recurring role
The
Martial Arts Kid
(2015)
–
cameo

Trivia
Bannon-Rodrigues
set back-to-back world records at the WAKO games. At the 1991 world
championships, she became the first competitor to win three titles at
the same event. When
critics dismissed this as
a fluke, she repeated the feat two years later at the 1993 world
championships.

Videos
Vs.
Heather Boler
Vs.
Cheryl Nance