Red Dragon Kajukenbo

It’s been a while since I have posted about my students, but I spoke with one of our dojo families and it’s been heavy on my heart all day.
One of my kids is now training at a new dojo, the instructor has warned them that they might be kicked out for being too rough.

I’m just having such a hard time with this because I have never once had the thought to kick a kid out in all my years and I have worked with a lot of kids, easy and hard ones.

All kids need support through their training. The scared ones, the mean ones, the ones with a temper, or those that get emotional. You gotta work with them all. Isn’t that what martial arts is about? It’s gotten way too soft and we are not doing these kids any favors by sugar coating what real life is. It’s disappointing.

Not to mention having a “rougher” kid is good for those that need a little push because no kid who wants to hurt your kid outside of the dojo is going to be nice. Those “rough” kids need support as they work their challenges as well.

This kid was so respectful in my class and commitment, it sucks that others schools are willing to give up so easy.

Check in with me guys. I’m really missing my students.

Thank You
Professor Tony.

We lost a member of our dojo family tonight. Some of Rick’s kids trained at the dojo when we were located on Sundance Road. His family was also close to our son Cam while they were growing up.
We are just shocked and really sad, sending so much love to his wife and kids.

It is with the deepest sadness that we must report Mayor Rick Hogaboam experienced a medical emergency tonight and has passed away.

We ask the community to please keep his family and loved ones in your prayers during this incredibly difficult time.

As we begin to mourn this unbelievable loss, please provide grace while we navigate the loss of not only our Mayor, but also our friend.

Lookie!!
Tony has a new training partner to roll with! Prof. Tony’s smile says it all—he’s so happy to have one of his students back on the mat with him.

We love Gilbert. He’s truly one of Tony’s pride and joys, and we’re honored to be white belts alongside him.

Evanie joined as well, but she’ll be training in a different class.

https://share.google/lwD232QTEgiIX9T3q

Hello to our ohana!!
It’s been the longest month without the dojo.
There are plans to start up with Senior Grand Master Paz very soon, you are all welcome.

And for the past couple weeks Prof. Tony has found a new dojo to train in downtown Nampa. Hanging up the black belt and putting a white belt on as a new student. Being a student again has been hard work , but in a good way!
You are also all welcome to check out this dojo, Tony would be so happy to see his students there.
Jiu-Jitsu is not replacing kaju, just sharping and adding tools

As a reminder, Tony is available to all his students for life, so please reach out for anything!

We miss you all so much. Kaju Love 🤙🏼

Core Jiu-Jitsu
Nampa, ID
https://www.facebook.com/share/17iTePDJ8E/?mibextid=wwXIfr

01/14/2026
Dear Red Dragon Family and Community,
It is with an incredibly heavy heart that we share this news with our Red Dragon family and community.
After 15 years of serving this community, Red Dragon Kajukenbo will be closing our doors at the end of January.
This decision was not made lightly. Red Dragon has been more than a business to us, it has been our second home, our extended family, and a true labor of love. We were blessed to help build and run Professor Tony’s dream as a full-time dojo. Watching him do what he loves more than anything in the world – teach, mentor, and pour into his students – has been one of the greatest honors of our lives.
We took a big risk relocating due to rising rental costs, believing the new location would allow us to grow and stay sustainable. At the time of the move, we had a strong and committed following, and we truly believed we would continue to grow from there. Unfortunately, that risk did not pay off. Between economic changes, loss of grant funding and the lack of walk-in growth we were counting on. The reality is we lost many families along the way and were unable to replace them at the rate we had hoped.
To those families who stuck it out, supported us, and stayed through the move – we want you to know how deeply grateful we are. We also want to say how incredibly sorry we are that you are now losing your dojo. You believed in us, you stayed loyal, and you trusted us through a big transition. Please know this decision weighs heaviest because of you.
This is in no way a reflection on the families who were unable to continue training. We understand life changes, finances change, schedules and activities change – and we hold nothing but respect and gratitude for every family who has ever walked through our doors.
This school required countless sacrifices – missed events, long nights, early mornings – and our entire family has been raised on these mats. Our four children are the true definition of dojo babies. This life has shaped who they are and who we are.
We have made lifelong friends here. Our truest friendships. Families who became family. That is what makes this so incredibly painful.
We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to those who have donated over the past year – whether through cash donations or new equipment. Those donations truly helped keep our doors open longer than we otherwise could have, and we are deeply grateful. All equipment will be placed in storage, and we hope to have it back in action in the near future.
Although Red Dragon is closing, Kajukenbo is not leaving our lives. Tony and some of our boys plan to continue training under Paz Kajukenbo and neighboring Kaju schools and may even explore picking up a new style. We hope to stay in touch with all of you, and you are more than welcome to follow Tony and the boys on their continued training journey.
Our plan is to place our equipment in storage and take time to regroup and put some attention into other projects going on. This is not goodbye forever – it is simply a pause until the right opportunity and location present themselves.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for 15 amazing years, countless memories, and the privilege of being part of your lives.

I will keep this Facebook active for upcoming changes and or events.

Thank you for trusting us with your children and families. Thank you for your loyalty, your love, and your support. We will carry your families with us always. Kaju Strong. Kaju Forever.

And a big thank you to Chris Reyna with Sidekicks. He has been sub-leasing from us and this affects him and his school too. It breaks my heart that two very good schools are hurting from this. He wish him luck.

With love and gratitude,
Professor Tony & Annie Nguyen
Sifu Tyler, Sibak Gavin, Sibak Khai & Sibak Cam
Red Dragon Kajukenbo, LLC

Merry Christmas to all my Kajukenbo family; thank you for everything you've done for my family and me.

Hello. I’m so sorry, but Tony is canceling all classes tonight Monday 12/22. He was diagnosed with pneumonia yesterday. I think he thought he would be able to come tonight, but he has accepted he is not able to. He is good, just resting up at home.
Due to Christmas being so close and it being such a busy time, he is NOT asking for anyone to cover tonight.

Hopefully we will be open tomorrow and as a reminder, no classes Wednesday & Thursday this week.

Tonight also sibak Brian McDougall was promoted to 1st Degree black belt. Brian has been in Kajukenbo for a very long time, took a break and has come back while going through 2 major surgeries. He comes in after hours to train and has come so far in his recovery and never quits. We are so happy that Brian is apart of the Red Dragon Family.