With heavy hearts, we are saddened to report that Sifu Jerry Poteet passed away Saturday evening, Jan 15 2012 in Los Angeles. His Flame is still burning bright now and into the future through our family, instructors, students, friends, and followers.
As Sifu Bruce Lee once said: “Remembrance is the only paradise out of which we cannot be driven away. Pleasure is the flower that fades, remembrance is the lasting perfume. Remembrances last longer than present realities.”
More announcements to come... The Jerry Poteet Family
Technique is important, but It's really about people.
Hope, Faith, Peach, Love, Belief: Hardly the words you would find in a place of fighting. Right?
If you have ever practiced martial arts, perhaps these words resonate with you, or perhaps not? I guess that depends on the discipline and respect of the Dojo you are studying under.
Hope, Faith, Peach, Love, Belief: Sure maybe you’d see them at a fairy tale martial arts studio. That is farthest from the truth tonight as I arrive at my 365 destination, TKC, a hard-core martial arts fighting and training center.
All around me are signs and displays with assortments of visual and written affirmations. The aforementioned text: Hope, Faith, Peach, Love, Belief, all part of a photo I see displayed on a video monitor hovering over the mat; And, at the center of it all, Dojo Fariborz Azhakh, 6th degree blackbelt.
View More Information Here!
Saturday, November 26, 2011
The martial arts community loses Al Novak
The World Martial Arts Information Center would like to extend a sincere condolences to the family, friends and students on the passing of an old friend, Al Novak. He was an amazing individual respected by so many. The martial arts community worldwide is glad to have known Al for many years and have nothing but respect for his accomplishments.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Fighting to Reach Fifty
Martial Arts History Museum, Burbank, CA – When most people hit that golden age of fifty, they see it as a time to reflect back upon their life enjoying their accomplishments and remembering the interesting places they have visited. It is a time for relaxation, an opportunity to be surrounded by family and friends around a hearty meal or even a well-deserved vacation. But not for Fariborz Azhakh, he plans to spend his fiftieth birthday fighting.
Azhakh, chief instructor of Team Karate Centers in Woodland Hills and a hapkido seventh degree black belt, has issued an invitation to his fellow martial arts practitioners, friends and students to celebrate his fiftieth sparring in the ring. On January 7, 2012, he intends to fight for “fifty” one-minute rounds, one round for each year of his existence.
“I think it's important that my students see that I'm still an active participant in the art that I love and teach. I don't want to be just standing on the sidelines watching, I want to be involved and I encourage them to be involved as well,” notes Azhakh. “I'm also doing this as a fundraiser for the Martial Arts History Museum. Our history is so important and finally we have a museum to keep that history alive. Everyone should be doing something for the museum.”
The event entitled “Fighting to Reach Fifty,” requires a minimum of $25 to go head-to-head with the seventh degree black belt. The entire proceeds of each fight will be donated to the museum. “This is such an amazing event to celebrate Fariborz's fiftieth birthday and raise funds to help the museum. I have been honored to know Fariborz for nearly 30 years and I've always been so impressed with his sincerity and the example he sets for his students,” says museum president Michael Matsuda.
Team Karate Centers, which will host the sparring matches, will also be celebrating its thirtieth anniversary. Azhakh began teaching in a small room in 1982 which eventually flourished to a 10,000 square foot facility with a variety of different teachers including kickboxing legend Benny “The Jet” Urquidez and film star Richard Norton. The fifty rounds of fighting is not limited to his students, but open to all who would like to contribute to the museum and spar with a former regionally ranked competitor. The first fight is set to begin at 8 am with refreshments and gatherings throughout the day until 8 pm.
To register for a sparring match or more information, visit their website at TeamKarateCenters.com. Location for the event is at 21038-A Victory Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA 91367. You can also contact Fariborz Azhakh directly at (818) 704-0606. For information about the Martial Arts History Museum, visit their website at MAmuseum.com.