MY STORY GM José Torres SMASTER Guy E. Larke

MY STORY

GM José Torres

by SM Guy E. Larke

Grandmaster Jose Torres Striving to Have it all While Still Maintaining Integrity By Sr Master Guy Edward Larke

During my 22 years in Korea and working with various associations, I met an innumerable amount of foreign martial artists. One of them, contacted me in 2012. He was a very high-energy school owner from New Jersey whose mind worked faster than I could blink. We met face-to-face at the 1st Forum for the World Tang Soo Do General Federation in Seoul. It was a small, but very powerful and influential group of Tang Soo Do practitioners from around the globe. His youth and passion were overshadowed by a lifetime of experience accumulated in a short number of years. On two or three occasions we went for a stroll to talk about everything and anything in the martial arts world. Ten years later we have worked together on so many projects it is inconceivable. Almost every new opportunity that one came across, the other was dragged along for the ride. It’s the way martial arts brotherhood is supposed to be, but sadly seldom is. My dong sang (Korean for younger friend like a brother) started his amazing life in the late 70’s in a happy,

but very ordinary family. There was no angst, no long-running martial tradition in his family, or even urban warfare to fuel any apparent rage. So how does a nice little boy from New Jersey in the span of a few decades climb to the top of the Korean martial arts world? Read and all will be revealed…

1 - What led you to start TSD?

I began studying Tang Soo Do as it was the offered style at the local dojang in my area. I was a young energetic child who was fascinated by the amazing things that legends like Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris were doing in their movies. I would try jumping off things and try to fly through the air to emulate them.

2 - What were your early days of training?

I was an 80’s martial arts product. During those days it was very old school. If you made a mistake, you would be hit with a bamboo stick in effort to correct your stance or make your technique sharper. We sparred with no gear in class and had the opportunity to truly feel shin to shin contact with no pads. Its funny thinking back as many of those methods are obsolete now. I learned a lot really learned a lot during those times. Martial arts truly saved me and kept me out of trouble. I learned discipline, selfconfidence, and humility at from my training. My original instructor was Master William Hamilton from NJ. He was like a 2nd father to me. He inspired me to pursue this martial arts journey.

3 - Could you share a few highlights?

I would probably say that there are 3 major points in my career that really stand out from the rest. The first may seem like an obvious one but earning my black belt was a huge moment of this journey. Its was at the time the most grueling thing I had ever been through. I started really understanding what martial arts meant to me and that I loved it so much. My 2nd highlight would be opening my first school in Dec 2000. I decided 22 years ago that I wanted to open my own school and share my passion with anyone who wanted to give me a chance. It was a dream of mine as young boy to one day have my own karate school. Finally, the last big highlight, was when I had the opportunity to test for my 8th Dan in Tang So Do in Korea under the World Tang Soo Do General Federation. I was truly honored and humbled by this opportunity to test for this high Dan rank in Korea. President Grand Master Koe W. Choung presided over the test. My eldest son Ryan also tested for his 3rd Dan and assisted me as my partner for self-defense. It was such an amazing experience.

4 - Did you ever experiment with other arts?

Yes, I have been fortunate to train in 3 other styles. The first is WTF Tae Kwon Do. I began training at a local YMCA program and continued while attending college at Penn State University. I actually had amazing success in the art and won the 1996 Junior Olympic Gold and Bronze Medal in Sparring and Poomsae. The 2nd style is Arnis. I began training in 2002. I actually created my own sport stick fighting program. Lastly, I have recently began training Brazilian Capoeira under Contra- Master Brian Moragne from Atlantic City NJ. I will be testing for my first cord at the end of this summer.

5 - a) when did you start your first class?

I began teaching as a 2nd Dan for my Tang Soo Do Instructor back in 1991. I would help with some night time classes as well as I taught classes on some Saturdays. I used to ride my moped to teach back them. Not sure

if anyone remembers what a moped was.

b) What did you learn from that time?

I was very young and energetic so I tried my best to keep the classes very high energy and intense. I was still developing my class management and drill set flow with the class. I realized very earlier it was a true craft that I needed to develop in order to become a great instructor.

6 - When did you open your first actual location?

I opened my first location in my hometown of Edgewater Park NJ in December of 2000. The school was located out of the local recreation center. It grew rather quickly as within 6 months we gained about 75 students. We reached capacity very quickly and I moved into an industrial warehouse a year later in the same community. I currently own 2 physical dojangs in NJ with 1 located still in Edgewater Park and the other in Riverton NJ. I also have international programs in Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados. In November this year, I will be teaching for the first time in Rotterdam Holland. It will be my 3rd time teaching in Europe.

8 - How & why did you start NAFMA and TSI?

NAFMA stands for the North American Federation of Martial Arts. It was formed in 2003. Its purpose is to help structure martial arts tournaments and events around the world to help with martial arts growth around the world. Over the last 20 years, NAFMA has grown to include over 300 clubs from 10 different countries from around the world. NAFMA does not give rank. It is a pure resource for martial arts development and competition.

TSI- stands for Tang Soo Do International. This organization was formed in 2007 as a need to help some fellow Tang Soo Do practitioners continue their training and pursue their next Dan Rank. TSI has enabled me the opportunity to expand the martial art of Tang Soo Do into new countries that were never exposed to it. Specifically in the Caribbean, I have established Tang Soo Do programs in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, St Lucia, Barbados and now soon in St Thomas 2023.

9 - In your mind what are the laws for success?

I feel consistency and passion are 2 key ingredients. The consistency to stay on course and promote your business. Continually growing your businesses exposure and developing your program to better suit your student base. Passion is so important to the overall journey. You have to be passionate about what you’re doing and what you’re trying to build. You have to stay passionate about the journey as there will be highs and lows of business that you have to overcome to become successful.

10 - How important are the concept of “paying your dues” and “paying it forward”?

Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who do not want to go through the process. They want to jump 5 levels of rank or self-promote themselves to a higher rank. Its one of the most unfortunate things that happen in martial arts. People feel they need to have more rank or more certificates than the next person in effort to prove how good they are or what they worth. I firmly believe that a “true master “is judged by his students and how they perform and act. A teacher teaches. A great teacher inspires. Masters should inspire their students to be the very best they can be. You have to “Pay

The second part of this process is “Paying it Forward”. In order to help with your continued success, you should strive to help others achieve their goals. The good that has been blessed to you should be in turn afforded to another. I firmly believe if good intentions are continually gifted to another it will result in positive energy all around.

11 - How do you balance your career, family and your role in your community?

Balancing everything is always a challenge. The more successful you are the more ways you get pulled in different directions. Many people will have conflicting views but I can say the secret to my success has been my family unit. My wife supports me in my martial arts journey. My three sons have been instrumental in the development of my business as they enabled me to develop my program as not only an instructor but as a father. I feel I have a great relationship with my students and families as I treat them with respect and I truly am concerned with their well. I always try to give back with my community as that is where I live work and support the local families. My goal is to not only inspire inside of my dojang but I hope that my teachings and good will extend beyond the confines of the traditional 4 walls. It’s a truly gigantic task but so important in the grand scheme of everything.

12 - You appeared in magazines so many times. Is that what led you to start Martial Arts Xperience?

Actually, it’s a funny story. Martial arts Xperience was first started as podcast over the pandemic. I was really fortunate to make some amazing connections over that period. Some of my guests had suggested that the interviews were amazing and contained some great material. I thought it would be a great opportunity to put some of that content in print. It was really perfect timing for everything. Our first issue was a special edition on some of the actors from Karate Kid and Cobra Kai series. It worked our really well as the popularity of the show is at an all-time high. People are so excited for Season 5. Many of my episodes that featured the actors have some of the highest viewership of our episodes.

13 - How is it different from the competition?

Our artwork design is top notch. Our magazine designer/creator Brian Moragne is truly cutting edge. He has a great eye and unbelievable creativity. I think that some of the current designs feature maybe more spread-out content. We are focusing more on design and doing each one as a special edition specifically on set theme. Our next magazine will be coming out late summer and is a special edition on the show 52 Masters that is featured on Amazon, Tubi, Freeve, IMDB Tv, and YouTube.

14 - Who are some of the most unforgettable guests on your show?

Wow that is a tough question. I honestly, they were all amazing. We have done 45 episodes to date. I think honestly, they were al unforgettable in each of their own ways. Marty Kove who played Sensei John Kreese, Britain Hart who is a current fighter in the full-contact female fighter from BKC, William Christopher Ford from Karate Kid 3 and 52 Masters, Mohammed Qissi who played Tong Po, and Stunt Legend Steve Lambert are just some to name. They were honestly all amazing. I truly feel without their support the show would not have grown as fast as it did.

15 - How did you get involved Sensei William Ford's 52 Masters project?

My 52 Masters journey was very unique as there were some pieces

that needed to fall in place. I first got connected to Darryl Vidal who is such an amazing person. He played in Karate Kid 1 and was created with creating the Crane Kick for the movie. We became good friends. He then introduced me to Sean Kanaan who played Mike Barnes in Karate Kid 3. We developed a relationship and he was gracious enough to introduce me to William Christopher Ford. He also played Dennis in Karate Kid 3. He is truly an amazing human being. We developed an amazing friendship and he became intrigued by my martial arts story. He then offered me the opportunity to be one of the 52 Masters featured on the show. I am forever thankful to the opportunity he gave me.

16 - I know you spread your attention around the world. What drew you to the Caribbean, the Virgin Islands, and the Bahamas specifically?

I am currently working with Jerry Otto who is an amazing instructor and basically the man in St Thomas. We are working on some upcoming projects in 2023/2024. I now have a Tang Soo Do student and club in Barbados with Kimberlee Barker. I have known her for about 15 years. I will be officially launching Tang Soo Do in December 2022 there.

17 - Lastly, I heard you are breaking into the martial arts film industry. Is there any truth that you are allying with Mohammed Qissi of Kickboxer fame? Could you share a few spoilers with us?

It’s funny you bring that up. It’s amazing how opportunities in life are presented. I recently played in the movie 1 out of 100 produced by Willie Johnson and Directed by Robert Parham. I am currently working on a new series Dragon Squad with Director Tyonne Bullock. Mohammed and I are currently working together on an upcoming film project for release in 2024. It’s going to be an amazing project.

18 - Is there anything left in the martial arts world you have not conquered yet? In all seriousness, what is next for yourself?

I don’t know if I can really answer that. I am enjoying this ride that has been presented to me. My goal is to be the best that I can and make those that have supported me over the years proud that I stayed on course. You have to stay positive and focused not matter what because there are so many curve balls and distractions that will come in the way. There is Latin term "Carpe Diem". I am just trying to seize each and every day that I am blessed to be alive.

GM Jose Torres has all the qualities of a true martial artist… extreme skill and deep knowledge that only comes from decades of putting in the work. He is wise, patient, kind, respectful, humble, compassionate, and loyal. He is a true Master and more importantly a great friend, and a good man. Sensei William Cristopher Ford, Founder - 52 Masters Martialartsexperience.com Teamtorresmartialarts.com Martialartsexperience@gmail.com http://www.facebook.com/ martialartsexperience.com/

Senior Master Guy Edward Larke has spent most of his life enamored with the martial arts of Asia and Asian cultures in general. These led him to move to South Korea 20 years ago where he continued to study, research, and write about the various disciplines that shaped his life. In addition to teaching martial arts in Korea, USA, Malaysia and Denmark he has written over 800 articles in over 20 magazines. He named the synthesis of his pilgrimage Kisa-Do Muye (the Knights Way Martial Arts). Larke can be found on Facebook or by e-mail at kisadomuye@gmail.com.