Victor Hervias (5th Degree Black Belt) Lead Instructor
Victor Hervias, nominated to be inducted into the Kenpo Karate Hall of Fame for 2009.
Victor began his martial arts training in 1972, and earned his Black Belt in American Kenpo in 1976 from his instructor Sr. Master, Orned “Chicken” Gabriel (8th Degree Kenpo Black Belt), out of San Diego, CA. Victor currently holds a 5th Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo Karate. Victor is also a Black Belt in Isshinryu Karate and will incorporate some of the best from that system into his teachings. He has been teaching self defense and Kenpo for many years and had his own
Victor additionally studied the art of Kenpo from Grand Master (10th Degree Kenpo Black Belt), Richard "Dick" Willett, from San Diego, CA. Dick, Chicken and I are great friends and they continue to be my mentors and instructors even today.
Many of us from the 80's and 90's are always in touch, getting together at Kenpo seminars, re-unions, and lot's of us are still teaching. Some of us have web pages, i.e., John Zimer, one the great fighters of the 80's and 90's. See John's "My Self-Defense Blog" and find out much more about our AKKA, and our vast history of fighting, MMA, etc...
Jiu Jitsu
Victor is also a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) practitioner, fighter, competitor, and training under Chuck Talley (Black Belt in BJJ) of Traid Martial Arts in Huntsville, AL.
We often have pure Jiu Jitsu classes (all included in membership) with special Jiu Jitsu experts that come to our school to train with us.
COMPETITION:
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu:
Victor's recent competition: March 21, 2009. Vic just won 2nd place in this most prestigous Jiu Jitsu / Grappling Championship. This is a full out National submission championship. Known as the NAGA (North American Grappling Association) Championships. Victor's Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school (Triad Martial Arts of Huntsville, AL) placed in most all divisions and Matt Ward (of Triad) won the overall "expert level" No-Gi Grappling.
Historical Competition:
Victor (AKA "The Fly", Vic's nickname as a fighter) competed for many years in sport Karate and was Nationally and Regionally ranked in the "top ten" in fighting by the largest organizations in Sport Karate, NASKA, and PKL. He is a winner of over 200 Karate Championships over the years (all in Fighting).
Additionally, he fought in Full-Contact Karate, Boxed pro, and smokers. Victor also teaches boxing and full contact Karate, and he also trained in Mix Martial Arts.
Victor’s unique knowledge of training and fighting has enabled him to produce many National Karate Champions in the Open Sport Karate tournament circuit.
Additionally, trained for many years with the best in the world of Sport Karate, i.e., Steve "Nasty" Anderson (10 Time World Sport Karate Champion), Hakim & Shah Alston, Ibby Abdallah, Chicken Gabriel (my instructor), Eddie "Flash" Newman, Terry Crook, John "big T" Turnage, Jeff Smith, Joe Lewis, Andy Selcer, etc. the list goes on and on....
Rich DeThomas (Black Belt)
Rich’s first introduction to the Martial Arts was when he studied Mas Oyama’s Kyokushin Karate during his teens. After moving to
Grappling
Rich's many years of grappling and combat self defense techniques are also taught as much as possible.
Vikky Hervias (Black Belt)
Vikky was born into Karate. She started training at the age of five, and has been active ever since. She is currently a Black Belt in Isshinryu and is an advanced Belt in Kenpo self defense techniques. She has attended many of my seminars and has acted as my assistant for many years. She will assist in teaching all of the basics to Kids, Teens, and Adults.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ): Vikky is also a BJJ practitioner, training under Chuck Talley of Triad Martial Arts, Huntsville, AL. Has additionally attended many Grappling seminars from the likes of Dean Listner, Bart Vale, etc...all former grappling and UFC world champions.
Vikky has also competes in Open Karate tournaments and has achieved much success, by either taking first places or placing in the competitions.