10/10/2022
The truth is that these persons are some of the few living Dinosaurs responsible for the spread, development and improvement of the Martial Arts in Puerto Rico. Credit should go to those who really deserve it. Another martial artist that establish himself as great leader was Joaquin Casado. He also moved back to Puerto Rico in the 60's. A student of Aaron Banks and Goju Ryu Karate. He is the founder of the Sansei-Do Goju Karate system. As a leader he establish many Dojos, promoted and helped many a black belts and instructors up the ladders of success. As a leader and teacher he was responsible for the spread and development of many independent Goju organizations and free styles in Puerto Rico.
Many well known Instructors in Puerto Rico develop and organize their own systems and organizations during the 8o's. To name a few Leaders, Hanshi Humphrey Gomez, Saizen Goju Karate, Hanshi Carlos Paris, Yosei Goju Karate, Kyoshi Hector M. Rivera, Go-Jutsu-Do Kai Karate, Shihan Luis Gonzalez, Nippon Kempo-Karate-Do Kyokai, Shihan Vicente Guzman, Borinquen Ryu Karate, Hanshi Carlos J. Lopez, Semai Do Karate, Hanshi Carlos A. Diaz, Zen Ryoku Zenyo Karate among many others.
Hanshi Carlos Paris, Soke a student of Hanshi Gomez has been one of the most influential Martial Arts and Teacher when it comes to the development of independent Goju Karate system in Puerto Rico. He has always been highly respected as a Teacher and Leader in the puertorrican Martial Arts community.
The Martial Arts system that mostly influence the development of other eclectic styles has been Goju Ryu. In the 80's a student of the well known Soke Carlos Paris was Hanshi Ruben Rossy, who has always been well known for his excellent Kata and for being an excellent Teacher. He is the founder of the Tanren Goju System, consider as one of the most outstanding Goju Ryu-Ha in the Caribbean.
Hanshi Miguel Arana another excellent teacher, was also a student of Grand Master Carlos Paris. He developed the Tetsu Goju Ryu Karate System. Being previous Kung Fu practitioner for many years you are able to notice and appreciate the Chinese aspect of his art in his eclectic system.
Shihan Arturo Vasquez, Soke, also a student of Soke Paris develop and organize his own Ryu-Ha better known as the Shigoryukai Karate-Do. Shihan Vasquez is well known for being a excellent teacher especially with children.
When it comes to Ninjutsu in Puerto Rico there is no one more mention than Hanshi Arnold D. Vargas. Founder of his own system, Tsunami Ryu and other Bu-Jutsu systems. He is highly respected for being an excellent Teacher and seminarist specially with the teaching of Japanese Bu-Jutsu. Excellent in Jo-Jutsu and other Japanese weapons use in the Ninjutsu arts. He is always one of the favorites when it comes to choosing instructors for seminars.
A student of Hanshi Paris and of Kyoshi Freddy Medina, is Shihan Luis Alberto Hernandez, founder of the Ryoshi Goju system. He has always been an outstanding competitor. For over 16 years he has won almost every sparring competition in Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands. As a black belt he has also won every International open tournament he has attended in and out of Puerto Rico. His number one student Juan Ramón Fernandez
has also won almost every competition he has attended. At the “Disney Martial Arts Festival 2000" he won pt place in every black belt division that be competed. As Martial Arts competitors these men are puertorrican Legends in their own time.
