Shihan Manuel began his martial arts training over 35 years ago. He started training as a child in karate, jujitsu, and tae kwon do with friends in his neighborhood. He studied formally under Master Joseph Artesi in the USA Goju style. Shihan Manuel continued with Master Artesi to the level of 7th Dan (degree) black belt. Shihan Manuel first entered karate competitions at the tournament level as a white belt, winning the white belt division. By 1975, he was the Garden State Grand Champion as well as winning dozens of other tournaments. To challenge himself even more so, he began training in full contact karate (the forerunner to our contemporary full contact kickboxing of today) where he became a top ranked contender in the Superlight Weight Division. It was at this time that Shihan Manuel was stricken with a rare and devastating disease that began to cause paralysis in his arms. Even as the disease progressed, Shihan Manuel continued to train, learning to use his legs in place of his arms when his arms were no longer effective. The quick spread of his paralysis finally took away the use of his legs. While many others would have given up all hope of continued martial studies, Shihan Manuels spirit and faith allowed him to turn his focus to teaching the art he had mastered. Teaching the martial arts as a way of life, and with the philosophy that our children are our future, Shihan Manuel has dedicated his life to teaching children positive morals, values, and ethics. Shihan Manuel is a Christian and puts God before all other things, yet teaches his art to all people of all races, creeds, and faith. A lifelong student of the martial arts, he continues his own studies with other Grandmasters, passing along the knowledge he has embraced to his select cadre of black belt instructors.

He extends his most profound gratitude to his teachers, including Grandmaster Peter Urban, Grandmaster SL Martin, Professor Remy Presas, Grandmaster George Dillman, Professor Wally Jay, Sifu William Cheung, and Grandmaster Bo Sayoc for sharing their arts with him and contributing to his own martial education.

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