7th Dan Ju-Jitsu 1st Dan Jdudo
How would you describe yourself?
“As a fully dedicated and professional martial arts instructor.”
Which person had been the biggest influence in your life?
“I would say my family, especially my two daughters, Kelly Ann and Joelly Ann for their respective achievements.”
What is the best book you have ever read?
“A book about the life of Leonardo da Vinci, it was a great read.”
What is your favourite music track?
“I love all kinds of music, especially whilst training or working in my Katas or with my weapons. I find that it gives me an inner concentration.”
What is your biggest fear?
“Not waking up the following morning, without having first finished my dedicated work towards martial arts development in Gibraltar.”
If you could change something about yourself what would it be?
“I would like to be 20 years of age once more but with the life experience I have now. Other than this I would not change anything as I’m quite proud of my achievements in my 40 years dedicated to martial arts.”
Have you ever been given advice that you wished you had acted on?
“I have always sought advice from my family, who are the ones who support me through good and bad times, so I’ve always been in good hands in this respect.”
What makes you laugh?
“My two grandchildren, they are what keeps me going, and they enjoy the experience of coming down to the academy to train with me.”
What is your greatest ambition?
“To leave everything in good order when I’m gone, for my daughters and grandchildren to continue the way of Budo, serving their community providing world class Ju-Jitsu.”
What is the best country you have ever visited?
“For me, it has to be Japan, training with the elite Samurai warriors, sleep, eat, drink, train, it was a great experience, a totally different world to Europe, the way the Japanese conduct their daily business, their culture, was a real eye opener.”
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
“To wake up each morning and thank God that you have another day ahead to enjoy and make the most of, we only live once.”
Have you had any embarrassing moments?
“Yes sure, I remember once filling up a trolley with goods and realizing when at the till that I had left my wallet at home, having to run home and apologize to the poor cashier on my return.”
What word or phrase do you most overuse?
“Good morning, good evening, hello, thankyou, please. I call this respect and manners.”
Do you have any regrets?
“I have come across people who have abused my confidence, for example if you say no to any given thing, you become the worst person in the world in an instant and they forget all the good you have done for them over the years.”
What keeps you awake at night?
“Eating late at night, climbing out of bed, going to the kitchen, eating chocolate and sweets and then suffering massive heart burn for the rest of the night.”
What is the best experience you’ve had in life so far?
“Visiting the land of the rising sun, Japan, can’t wait to return one day.”
If you did not live where you are currently located where would you like to live?
“For me Japan, in the countryside, feeling free and enjoying life, being at one with Mother Nature.”
What person historic or living would you most like to meet?
“I would like to meet my mother in heaven, just for five minutes, just to tell her how much I love and miss her.”
If you could change one thing about Gibraltar what would it be?
“One would be the over laid back attitude that exists here in some respects. And also in other ways, the over stressful life that some lead, which denies them the chance to enjoy life to the fullest.”
What is your favourite hobby or interest?
“My favourite hobby is Ju-Jitsu, it can do so much for each individual person, it promotes healthy living, fitness and in my opinion, makes you a better person in the process.”
