Page 49 - Martial Science Magazine Jun/2016 #15

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO LEARN
MARTIAL ARTS?

In the ‘70s martial arts in Cuba was an explosion.
In Cuban cinemas, many fransesas, Japanese films
on the subject that achieve great popularity among
the youth were shown. Then with the first Chinese
films with Bruce Lee as the main actor, they gave
rise to a popular martial arts boom that spread
throughout the island. Everything was like a fever
that was experienced, so I also joined and enrolled
in the National School of Karate Do style Jyoshi-
mon in 1977.

WHO WAS YOUR FIRST MASTER?

I had the honor of being a student of the unfor-
gettable master, Domingo Raul Rodriguez Oquen-
do (Raul Rizo) unfortunately was separated from
practice for not think the same ideological manner
established by the Castro government. So I was
forced to train clandestinely different styles.

Until the 90s, I started to systematically train the
Taekwondo WTF, after a year I became instructor
and in 1993 I got the black belt 1st Dan. My tea-
chers in this modality were Roberto Cardenas Sua-
rez and Sergio Velazco Merida.

HOW WAS YOUR BEGINNING IN TAE-
KWONDO ITF?

In 1994, the ITF Taekwondo began to propagate by
the Cuban people. I was interested quickly in this
new martial art at that time in Cuba, and simulta-
neously I trained the two systems of Taekwondo.
Led by the GM. Julian Reyna President of the Cu-
ban Federation of Taekwondo ITF, 8th Dan Black
Belt.

I also had the honor to train twice with the always
remembered, General Choi Hong Hi, father and
founder of Taekwondo ITF. I received the master
Choi technical corrections, wise counsel, and even
scolding. I am eternally grateful today and forever.

JUNE/2016 49