Kermit Gonzalez
9258 Lake Fisher Blvd.
Gotha Florida 34734
Started Karate at the age of 11 in Tae Kwon Do, got up to green belt, school
broke apart reason unknown.
Age 12 started taking Kyoukoshin- Kai, started as a white belt- ended as a
purple, reason, again school broke.
Age 14 started Shotokan, with Miguel Jimenez (Nickname Joaquin) at 17 made
shodan.
At 18 June 5, 1977 moved to Hollywood Florida, June 23, 1977 went into the
Military U.S. Army
|
Basic Training Fort Know Kentucky, 1st Assignment United States Army European
Command Germany from 1977 to 1981. No Martial Arts activity*No time private in
the Army many potatoes to peel and gone.
Married in 1979, Daisy. Married for 23 years, Good gracious it's been that long?
Living in Gotha Florida with 2 children, 1 Son 19 years old presently a Green
Belt, and daughter 9 years old presently Orange belt in the process of becoming
a Green.
Returned to the States to El Paso, Texas 1981. Started training with Bill
Schubert, started competing with him in the open circuit in 1982 as a Shodan;
the road was hard at the beginning until getting back to the system. 1982 to
1983 Competed in the PKA system as a Full Contact Fighter achieving record of 7
wins 1 loss 5 by TKO.
Was promoted to Shodan under the Kenpo style in 1982 and Nidan in Shotokan, in
1983-84 received my Sandan in Shotokan.
New assignment back to Europe, Opened my 1st Karate School in 1983 by 1987 had 3
active schools in three military installations in Germany with over 100
students. Competed actively in the European circuit and Armed Forces military
Installation tournaments. Competed in Belgium, Austria, North/South/East and
West of the European peninsula. Competed in 2 World Open Championships in
Koblenz Germany placing 1st in Kata Division in 1985 and Second in 1986, placed
2nd in Kumite 1985 and 1st 1986. I fought in the Middleweight Division.
Competed in numerous Open Championships achieving unrecall 1st places, 2nd, and
3rd's, plus if I recall 5 Grand Champions in Fighting and about 4 in kata. Kata
Grand Champion was very rare overseas.
While in Europe assumed the position of South West Director for the Armed Forces
Martial Arts Association from 1984 to 1987.
Sponsored, directed, and conducted many women self-defense seminars and clinics.
Base commander noticed the effectiveness of the program he made it mandatory to
all females' soldiers to attend the clinic while in processing to the command.
It was a mandatory attendance from 1984 to 1987 in Baumholder, Germany.
In 1987, was selected by the United States Army European / All Army Olympic
Committee to go and be the assistant coach for the All Army Karate Team for the
Armed Forces Intra-Services competition, then from that point based on the Team
performance for the Pan Am games.
After the selection was made only the Head coaches from each Armed Forces
attended the Pan Am games. Returned to the States stationed in Fort Know
Kentucky as a Drill Instructor from 1987 to 1989.
In 1988 was selected to go to the All Army Tae Kwon Do Team Trials in Fort
Indiantowngap Pa. I made the All Army Tae Kwon Do Team, after making the Team,
went to compete in Miami Florida for the Pre-elimination trials for the U.S.
Olympic Tae Kwon Do Team, made the 1st Elimination then en-route to North
Carolina lost the 3rd Fight :o( Very good fighters). Different rhythm of
fighting.
From 1988 to 1989 competed in Kentucky, Tennessee, and surrounding states,
winning several 1st and 2nd places in my Weight division, Kata and 4 Grand
Champions.
In 1989 Promoted to 4th Dan, under the Sei Ryoku Zen Yo Karate in Puerto Rico.
1990 to 1994 selected to go in recruiting duty, assigned to California opened a
Karate School at a Boxing Club at no charge to the public. The school started
with 5 students ended up with about 70 plus. The Community heard of my program
and found me a location in a community center. Took the students to compete in
Baja California Mexico, and California tournaments doing very well. I competed
in about 6 tournaments and achieved about (4) 1st places in Fighting, (5) 1st in
Kata and (3) 1st in weapons, 2nd and 3rds when not placing 1st.
1994 to 1995 transferred to Florida for recruiting did not competed or got
involved in Karate.
1995 to 1996 Assigned to Korea, opened a Karate school in Tong-du-chuan Korea at
Camp Casey, also implemented Hand to Hand combat techniques to units in the DMZ,
Opened a Karate Club in base and made all the Koreans mad because I started to
teach for Free. I emptied their schools, :o) sorry. I teach for the Love of the
Art not for the $$.
Certified Hand to Hand Combative military instructor: During my military Career
implemented Hand to Hand Tactics ROTC Cadets, and regular active duty soldiers
in various military installations.
1996 returned to the States to Ft Stewart Ga. did not do anything in relation to
Martial Arts.
1997 completed my 20 years of active military service, and went on full
retirement. Did not do any martial arts activity from 1997 to Dec. 2000.
In Jan. 2001, it was time again to come out of my grave. Started working out on
my own, trying to catch up all those years thrown out the window. Competed
again in May 2001. Placed 2nd in Fighting and 3rd in Forms, Injured my knee in
July 2001, Went to compete in August with a bad knee getting 2nd in Fighting and
Weapons and a 3rd in Kata.
Present employment, Area Operations Manager in Orlando Florida for the Staffing
industry.
Outsource International a Nation wide company, with our Headquarters in Delray
Beach Florida.
Respectfully,
Kermit Gonzalez
Renshi Kermit Gonzalez
Oss !!
