|
Published: December 09, 2008 10:19 pm
KARATE: Presti teaching Uzbeks
By Mike Kamrowski
NIAGARA FALLS —
Uzbekistan is a long way from Pine Avenue. Area native and Chun Kuk Do Master John Presti knows that better then anyone, especially of late.
Master Presti, a seventh-degree black belt in the fighting form designed by legendary martial artist and actor Chuck Norris, was all set to head to former USSR territory and spread the discipline to a group of fighters willing to learn.
It started when the eager martial artists from the Middle East approached the Chun Kuk Do council, of which Presti is a member, last July at the International Training Convention in Las Vegas.
The ITC, which consists of three days of seminars in the fighting style, brought the Uzbeks to the U.S. for one thing — training.
“I might have been the most accessible,” Presti said on why the Uzbeks chose him to teach them the fighting style. “But with Christmas approaching, I didn’t want to go teach over there. I told them if they wanted to train, come here.”
The Uzbeks, with some hard work on Presti’s part, are in the middle of 15 days of training at the Pine Avenue dojo that started Nov. 30.
“I had to write a letter to the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan to get these guys here,” Presti said. “But the hardest part is going to be the training.”
The martial artists from overseas are in store for quite a December. Since they are only here for a limited time, they don’t have long to learn the style, which poses a serious problem for Presti and his foreign students.
“I have to teach these guys everything, from beginner to black belt, in 15 days,” Presti said. “I’m going to have them in for four hours in the morning then four in the afternoon, all while having them come in for the adult classes at night. I’m nervous but it will show me exactly where they stand.”
Chun Kuk Do, formerly the Chuck Norris System, is named after martial arts master, Norris, who designed the system by incorporating various fighting and martial arts styles. In addition, Norris incorporated four main things into the style: Integrity, loyalty, respect and discipline.
The Uzbeks, who are trained in the Shotokan discipline, were interested enough in Chun Kuk Do that they’re spending their own money to come to the U.S. and train under Presti for a style switch.
“I was trained out of fear,” said Presti, who learned his original discipline of Tang Soo Do under master Pat Johnson. Johnson, who did the combat choreography for The Karate Kid, affected Presti enough to impact even the style in which he instructs. “Another reason I think I was chosen to teach these guys was because I’m approachable. I didn’t like being taught out of fear and I knew that wasn’t right.
“I let my excitement take over,” said Presti on the approaching visit. “It’s something else I can say I’ve been a part of and helped with. I didn’t think about my family, my students, or the holiday, I just wanted to help these guys out.”
|
|
|
Photos
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Occupational Therapist
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST. Full-time day position. NYS license and registration required. Send resume or apply: Employment ...>MORE
Bartender / Cook
BARTENDER/COOK Part Time. No experience necessary. Call 438-1460 from 1-8pm...>MORE
Housekeeping Aide
Housekeeping Aide. Day shift. Must be able to work a flexible schedule to include some week-ends and holidays. Dependabl...>MORE
Service Greeter
Service greeter wanted, part time temp assignment for 4-8 wks. Mon. Tues. Thurs. 5-9, Sat. 9-5. Apply with in David Ch...>MORE
Application Developer
APPLICATION DEVELOPER, Niagara Falls, NY. At Cardinal Health, we're developing the innovative products and services that...>MORE
Siding Installer
SIDING Installer, light construction. Pay based on exp. Will train. Must have transp. 434-3430...>MORE
CLEANERS
Housekeeping, Summer/ permanent help, p/t-4 day work wk, no w/e, bonuses, car nec. 694-2810 ...>MORE
Accounts Payable
Accounts Payable Must be experienced. Must have excel/keypunch knowledge. Must be a team player. High volume enviro...>MORE
Cooks
COOKS, Servers, part time. Apply within Joe’s Hideaway, 2230 Cayuga Dr. Ext., Whtfld 990-1261...>MORE
Sales support
20 yr old industry leader, is expanding thru-out USA. Sales support position in our N. Falls, NY office. Salary, 8:30-5...>MORE
See all ads |
1990 Chevy 2500
1990 CHEVY 2500 pick up, fresh paint, 160k mi, good runner, 4WD, ext cab, $2500, 716-572-9153...>MORE
1994 Buick Roadmaster Wagon
BUICK 1994 Roadmaster Estate Wagon, V8, 130k, fair condition, 1 owner. $2800 or BO. 297-1061....>MORE
Audi 1998 A6 Sedan
Audi 1998 A6 Sedan with 160k miles. Charcoal ext., Tan int., 4DR, Automatic, AWD, 6 Cylinder, Gas engine. Pow...>MORE
Olds 2001 Intrigue
Olds 2001 Intrigue, 130k runs great, leather, sun roof clean inside/out. $3000or BO. 628-6295...>MORE
Dodge 1996 Grand Caravan
Niagara Falls 2753 NIAGARA ST. FRI. SAT. 9AM-4PM oriental rug, old tools, antique car parts, toys, ...>MORE
Pontiac 2004 Grand Prix GT
PONTIAC 2004 Grand Prix GT 4 door, good cond, $8000, 998-5596...>MORE
Ford Escape XLT 2001
FORD ESCAPE XLT 2001, remote start, new catalytic converter, 116K, $3800 or best offer. 480-3031...>MORE
Ford 1999 150 Truck
FORD 1999 150 pickup, good cond., tool box, bedliner, standard, $2500 or BO. 523-3653...>MORE
1950 Plymouth Custom
PLYMOUTH 1950 Custom, 4 dr, good shape, $1,500/BO. 795-0074...>MORE
Ford 1993 Taurus
FORD 1993 Taurus, just inspected, runs good $900 or best offer, 284-0244...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|