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INTRODUCTION

SENSEI
JAMAL M. SHABAZZ
BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

"UPDATES"

 

In this column we will give you current updates regarding our school and tournament progress:

Anyone interested can follow our progress here on our website and on our FaceBook page.  

NOW: The construction on our 900 square foot Martial Arts studio in Ripley, TN has been completed. We are now open for active classes. Call us at (815) 953-1687 to schedule a free no obligation class. See you in class.

                                                 

 

WHAT WE EXPECT FROM OUR STUDENTS

  

  1. To follow all school rules and our code of ethics.

  2. To attend a minimum of one class per week.

  3. To compete in and work on all Martial Arts tournaments and events that we promote.  Also to compete in any tournaments that others outside of  our school promotes that we attend and compete in as a team and school. 

                                                          

QUALIFICATIONS TO BE A STUDENT

  1. We accept mature male and  female students.  

  2. Must be physically and mentally able to fully participate in every aspect of a serious Martial Arts class and program.

  3. Our classes are affordable so that anyone can financially afford to make Martial Arts part of  their life.  

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OUR CODE OF ETHICS

We are a Martial Arts family who share a dedication and passion for Taekwondo as a way of life. The following is the code of ethics that we train, compete and live by:                                          

1) I will give 100% positive effort in             everything I attempt to do.                                                   

2) I will always strive to be honest, loyal,     truthful, respectful and morally upright     to myself & everyone I come in contact     with.

                                  

3) I will always treat my body as a                temple and not pollute it with                     smoking,  alcohol, recreational drugs,

    unhealthy food and drink.

                    

4) I will never be the aggressor but will        defend my self if physically attacked         or threaten.           

                                                  

 

 

In 1975 Mr. Shabazz trained in Kuntaw Kung Fu under Master Mike Balbo in San Diego, California on NTC military base.

 

In the late 1970's he joined the Windy City Boxing gym in Chicago, Illinois and was trained in American Boxing techniques by Trainer Clarence Griffin.

 

Also in the late 1970's Mr. Shabazz joined the CYO Boxing Club in Chicago, Illinois and was trained in American Boxing techniques by Trainer Harry Wilson.

 

In 1984 Mr. Shabazz joined Master Kim's Taekwondo school in Chicago, Illinois and was trained by Master Kim and his two brothers. Mr. Shabazz earned his first, second and third degree (dan) black belt's there. 

He uses the title of Sensei. Which means simply teacher and describes best how he views himself in the fighting arts.

 

In the middle 1980's for a brief period Mr. Shabazz studied Japanese style Shorei Goju-Ryu karate under Master Harold "Scorpion" Burrage in Chicago, Illinois.

From 1988 to the present he has taught Taekwondo and American Boxing first in Chicago then in Central Illinois from 2015 to 2018. In 2020 he & Shabazz Taekwondo School relocated to the state of Tennessee.

 

Mr. Shabazz in the past has competed in various Martial Arts and Boxing tournaments. He has traveled to: China, Hawaii, Japan, Mexico, Philippine's and throughout the USA.

Mr.Shabazz is currently retired from a 32 year career and teaches Martial Arts as  a life long passion. Because he is not in it for financial gain our tuition is priced very low as to cover our  overhead and make our Martial Arts program affordable to anyone who wishes to participate.

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WE HAVE CURRENT ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP IN THE FOLLOWING MARTIAL ARTS ORGANIZATIONS

1) ALLIANCE

Belen, New Mexico

(We are a lifetime member)

2) INDEPENDENT KARATE SCHOOLS OF AMERICA (IKSA)

Franklin, TN 

3) INTERNATIONAL KICKBOXING FEDERATION (IKF)

Newcastle, California 

4) SHABAZZ OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Ripley, TN 

www.shabazztaekwondo.com

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SENSEI SHABAZZ IS A VIETNAM ERA VETERAN & A MEMBER OF THE FOLLOWING VETERAN ORGANIZATIONS

1) AMERICAN LEGION

(Life time member)

 

2) USS KITTY HAWK VETERANS ASSOCIATION

(Life time member)

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SENSEI'S PERSONAL DIET

 

Before you start or change any exercise program or diet consult your medical doctor or professional health provider. The following is Sensei Shabazz personal basic daily diet along with Taekwondo that he has used for 48 years as a Martial Artist to stay active and healthy at the age of 66.

 

1) He drinks  no alcoholic, unnatural  or      processed beverages.

2) He drinks pure water, tea, vegetable        and fruit juices.

3) He eats no red meat, pork,                        scavenger meat or sweets (candy,           pastries).

 

4) He eats vegetables, fruit, chicken,          turkey, fish, non-scavenger meat,             natural and organic foods.  

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                  FAQ

Q1: What is the best Martial Arts style?

 A1: There is no best style because it              depends on the reason and needs             of each individual. 

Q2: Do you have to learn  the language 

       or culture of where a particular               Martial Art came from in order to be

       proficient in it?

A2: No you don't have to learn a                      particular language or culture to be

      physically proficient in a specific

      Martial Art style. But if you want to          fully understand any style then you 

      should study it's history and the 

       culture it came from.     

 

Q3: Who is the greatest most skillful               boxer and Martial Artist who ever             lived?

A3: According to most boxing scholars          Sugar Ray Robinson was the best             and most skillful boxer that ever               lived.

       According most serious Martial               Artist's Bruce Lee was the best and         most skillful Martial Artist who ever 

       lived. 

 

Q4: What is the youngest age that a 

       qualified student should be

       promoted to black belt?

 

A4: Age sixteen.  At that age and with a

      minimum of 3 1/2 years of

      consecutive proper Martial Arts

      training the student should be  

      responsible and mature enough to 

      assume the role of a serious 

      competent black belt.  This is a

      serious rank because a black belt is

      a teacher and role model. 

Q5: What is the youngest age to start in 

       Martial Arts?

A5:  Children as young as  3 years old 

       participate in Martial Arts classes 

       and tournaments. But children be-

       tween ages 3 to 12 have short 

       attention spans, loose interest

       quickly and have a high drop out

       rate.  Twelve  is the age that they 

       usually start becoming more focus.

       Twelve is the age we recommend 

       to start a child in a serious com-

       petent Martial Arts program.                     Meaning a program that is not just 

       a babysitting service with games 

       and activities to keep their parents

       paying!   

     

              

       

  

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