I started my martial arts training in Venezuela on May 18th 1993 under a student of Arturo Petit and Manny Reyes, Jaime Hidalgo. About a year after, Mr. Hidalgo couldn't continue with us for personal reasons and his top student took the lead: Patricio "Archi" Colter. We competed in many local tournaments and worked as security in many local town events, and where known as the Tiger-Team! Although I was the last one to be part of this team, it was -and still is- an honor to be remembered by my friends and colleagues in the art as a Tiger-Team!

I reached the level of 3rd Degree Brown Belt in July of 1996. However, the American Kenpo System that was taught to us back then was a watered-down version with only 5 techniques per belt! After doing some research and talking to some Kenpo friends in the US, I had the equivalent of a Purple Belt (as far as knowledge of the techniques and forms is concerned). It was very frustrating yet encouraging at the same time, since there was SO MUCH more to learn and discover in Kenpo...

In August of 1997, I visited the US and enrolled for 3 months to a Kenpo school in Wodlandhills, California under Mohamed Tabatabai. He filled me-in with the 24 techniques version of Kenpo as well as corrected a whole bunch of principles, ideas and concepts in Kenpo. I finally understood what Kenpo is all about (to some degree) and it's full features and capabilities. After Mr. Tabatabai's evaluation, he ranked me as a Purple Belt and started working on my basics and correcting the already-learned material.

For personal and financial reasons I had to abandon my formal training in Kenpo and just rely on what I've learned so far to practice by myself for the next 6 years! Aiding my training with video tapes and occasional visits to some seminars or friends in the art.

Finally, after a long wait (and 40 lbs heavier) I got a chance to train again at Warrior & Scholar Kenpo Karate. I found this school in the Internet and had to wait for another year to enroll due to that at the time, I was working in Tampa, FL and the school's location is at Hollywood, FL. I finally got transferred back home to Hollywood and enrolled in this great school. Although I wanted to continue the 24 version Kenpo that I left-off, this school offered me not only the opportunity to work with highly professional instructors, but to also get involved in the Parker/Planas Lineage. Things always happen for a reason. I finally feel in the right place and with the right people and trust greatly in their teachings and friendship!

After a couple of years training under Mr. Wadsworth, he left the school after a very well deserved career ascension. Although I was very happy for him this represented a loss of a great teacher for me.

I kept on training at the same school with Ms. Alicia Martorelli who continued after Mr. Wadsworth left. She did a great job keeping the school together and passing-down the teachings for all of us. I trained under Ms. Martorelli and assisted several more seminars with Mr. Planas for about two more years until I decided to move-on, not only from the school but from Kenpo as well.

Currently I'm trying out several things: Hapkido, Aikido, Boxing and who knows what else comes to my door-steps. I can't help but look at all of these systems with an analytical eye, thanks to Kenpo, and I'm grateful for this. This allows me to perfect the movements and tailor it accordingly to my needs. I don't know if I'll return to Kenpo. At least not yet. Although according to Mr. Wadsworth, this is just a break and I'll return for sure... All I know is that at least at this point, the only possible way for me to return is if he comes back as well.

The Martial Arts is a journey that cannot be limited to a single style. It's like a musician learning only one type of music and not broadening its knowledge in other styles...