Friday, October 31, 2008

Grandmaster Rick Kingi

Grandmaster Rick Kingi
9th Degree Black Belt
Being that GM Rick Kingi is the one who started this school in 1981, it is only right that we start our "Who's Who?" section with him as well! There is none other like him...anywhere! :-)

Birthday: April 18, 1946
Age: 62
Residence: Los Angeles
Birthplace: Los Angeles
Ethnic Origin: Black, Asian, Portuguese
Height: 6 feet 2 inches
Weight: 225
Siblings: Two brothers, one sister
Year Started @ Kaju: 1962
Year Received Black Belt: 1968

Favorite Technique: All of them
Favorite Food: Shrimp
Favorite Movie: Cowboy or war movies
Favorite Music: Oldies
Favorite Sports: Golf
Favorite Hobby: Golf and drag racing

Now…time for the real stuff!

1. What made you get involved in martial arts? I always liked to fight. It was ok in those days, saw this school and loved the way they trained


2. How did you start Kingi’s Kajukenbo? I first started teaching in my father in-laws garage, then my brothers and next thing you know we found a school in Ingelwood that was for sell and here we are.


3. Who were some of the most instrumental people in your development as a martial artist? My instructor Carlos Bunda and my wife's father Mr. Wu


4. What has been the most significant event in your Kaju training? Watching my wife and all my children get their black belt.


5. Who has hit you the hardest in your training? Dave Kawashima and then my son Ronnie when I went for my 5th degree black belt


6. What do you enjoy most about teaching? Watching people really learn martials arts


7. What is your biggest challenge as a teacher? Wow, can’t think of any thing


8. If you weren’t a martial artist, what would you be? Since I was 16 years old all I thought about was being a martial arts teacher.


9. Who is your favorite fighter of all time in Kaju? Me when I was young (of course) and my sons, of course Sr. Grandmaster Carlos Bunda was a great fighter, always so relaxed.


10. Who is your favorite forms person of all time in Kaju? Carlos Bunda and my sons have always been very good right up there with the best.

Fun Stuff
1. What is one of your best or favorite childhood memories? My brothers and I used to dress up like an adult and then ride our bikes to pick up my mom from singing at a club at 2:00 am. We were 8 and 10 years old then...lol.


2. If you were stranded on an island, what are 3 essential things you would need to survive? Beer, water and a genie!


3. What is one food you tasted that you would never want to eat again? I eat all food in front of me, can’t think of anything I would not eat again.


4. Growing up, what were your favorite toys or games? Growing up in the late 40’s and 50’s we made most of our toys, I did like having a holster and gun and acting like a cowboy though.


5. If you won a million dollars, what would you do with it? Get a hugh school and fix up my 1969 Plymouth Road Runner!

Thanks to GM Rick Kingi!
So who is next on the hot seat??? Be ready!

5 comments:

Elaine said...

HEY.....I KNOW THAT DUDE!!! LOL! : )

Anonymous said...

I hear he tells a good joke too.

Ronnie Kingi said...

It was an Honor to have hit you for your 5th Degree Black belt. It was all out of love. lol

traveler said...

I've been looking to put my son in Martial arts for a couple of years and every where I've shopped around, with all this MMA stuff Many instructors have forgotten what the art is really about. GM Rick Kingi, Many people go through life wondering if you ever helped anyone in your life and You Sir have left a great impretion in the lifes of my cousin Brothers as well as my self and I am sure many children and people you have taught. We were under your instruction in the early 80's And we still touch the subject of your teachings {yes we've been in many scwables and defended our selfs very well}. Our Memory of you, is of a Great man, Filled with wise words High Family Values and great morals which you are quick to share with the comunity. And yes Sifu Lucuis Safford was funny man. Now that I found Kajukenbo.org I will find a school close to Chino, CA.

Thank you

Gerald Torres

hookedonphonics said...

Thank you Thank you Thank you I can go forever. Rick, you’re my second father and I love you dearly. You’re the reason for much of my accomplishments. It's unexplainable and beyond words the foundation that you have given me. Your teachings go further than martial arts giving me the building blocks for life. Kaju will forever be in me. I'm so blessed to have been a part of the culture without it I'm not sure where I would be...
Quite often people/parents are amused by me because of my age and they ask how or what is the reason for my success, strength, drive, or confidence I say KAJU BABY.....

Always,
Dominique Snoddy