Total Martial Arts

"Chuck Norris' calendar goes straight from March 31st to April 2nd. No one fools Chuck Norris."

Chuck Norris taking his master rank test at Kennedy Hall in Southgate, Michigan 1970. In 1970 Chuck's instructors from Korea, Jae Chul Shin & Kee Hwang, came to the United States to hold a test for all their students who had studied with them while in the service, stationed overseas in Korea. One of Chuck's classmates, Dale Drouillard, a Dearborn, MI native sponsored their masters' trip. Thus, the exam was held in Michigan. Drouillard, the first American to be awarded Black Belt in the Korean martial arts is now in his 90s, is still active in martial arts and oversees his club in Wyandotte, MI.

Chuck Norris was so many things. Beyond being one of the most iconic action star's of all time he was truly a pioneer and founding father of American Martial Arts. Trained in Korea when he was in the service he brought back what he had learned upon returning home to the U.S. in 1962 and opened up one of the first martial arts schools in America. He dominated the tournament circuit in the 1960s and became a film star when his friend Bruce Lee cast him in The Way of the Dragon. Following "Way of the Dragon" he went on to star in some of the most iconic action films of all time and later the hit TV series Walker, Texas Ranger. Even with astronomical success he was always a martial artist first. Always making time to use his massive celebrity to advance martial arts around the world. In recent years he could be found running his non-profit Kickstart an organization that taught martial arts in the Texas school system to teach at-risk youth the values of martial arts. He also continued to oversee his martial arts organization he founded in the 1960s.

Whenever asked what Chuck Norris was like, I always respond with he was every bit a true martial artist; kind, humble (absolutley zero ego), and overjoyed to talk martial arts and share stories from the "old days." In 2020 he was so kind and made a video announcing the re-opening of my martial arts studio after covid, and just last year he gave our students a shout-out and words of encouragement for their belt test.

RIP Master Norris, truly the real deal!

Flag sparring is a fun game where students combine focus, speed, balance, and strategy!

Technique Tuesday: Tiger claw with Sebastian!

"As you think, so shall you become." -Bruce Lee

After historic success in the music industry, Motown Records founder Berry Gordy brought his vision to films. In 1985 Motown produced the classic martial arts film The Last Dragon, which returns to theaters today thru 10/22 celebrating its 40th anniversary! Inset: TMA's Master Jesse with Motown founder Berry Gordy.