Category: Interviews

Interview with Aikido Kokikai of Queens Founder Alan Tamayo: Lessons from Shuji Maruyama

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Alan Tamayo began training in aikido in 2005 after purchasing a martial arts supply company. He walked into the Aikido Kokikai of Rochester and immediately felt the camaraderie and have yet to stop training. In 2016, Tamayo established his Aikido Kokikai of Queens where he continues to teach and learn from Shuji Maruyama. Today, Tamayo … Continue reading Interview with Aikido Kokikai of Queens Founder Alan Tamayo: Lessons from Shuji Maruyama

Interview with Hotspur School of Defence Founder Robert Brooks: Finding Common Ground Through Fencing

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Robert Brooks began sabre fencing in 1987 and almost stumbled upon the Dawn Duellists Society with Guy Windsor and Paul Macdonald in 1994 when he attended Napier University. In 2003, Brooks established his Hotspur School of Defence, eventually bringing the messer into more common use. Additionally, he authored At Your Mercy in 2023, expanding the … Continue reading Interview with Hotspur School of Defence Founder Robert Brooks: Finding Common Ground Through Fencing

Interview with Longtime Daito-ryu Practitioner Eric Pearson: Finding the Aiki in Everything, Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Eric Pearson first stared into the window at the practicing aikidoka during his smoke break at a local pizza shop, convincing himself that his kung fu skills would take out all of them. Then something inspired him to walk in for practice, and he never looked back. He began training under Russell Waddell and Chuck … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Daito-ryu Practitioner Eric Pearson: Finding the Aiki in Everything, Part I

Interview with SoCal Swords Founder RJ McKeehan: Training and Supplying HEMA Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Swords were always enticing to RJ McKeehan, especially after a friend from Europe told him about the historical fencing events being held in the continent. He finally got the chance to try his hand at historical fencing in 2010 when he attended California State University. There, he learned from Jonathan Mashar and Jason Taylor who … Continue reading Interview with SoCal Swords Founder RJ McKeehan: Training and Supplying HEMA Part I

Interview with Lightspeed Saber League Founder Cang Snow: The Uniqueness of Light-Based Fencing

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

After spending some time in Olympic Epee, Cang Snow wanted to find a sport that was both fun for the participant and the spectator. He set out to establish Lightspeed Saber League for just that. In the aftermath of the recent Covid pandemic, the League has grown, something which Snow is planning on continuing. Today, … Continue reading Interview with Lightspeed Saber League Founder Cang Snow: The Uniqueness of Light-Based Fencing

Interview with Multi-Martial Artist Jack Bieler: Daito-ryu, Aikido, and Weapons

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Jack Bieler has a seventh dan in aikido and a sixth dan in jodo from the Fugakukai and Kaze Uta Budo Kai. He received Gomokuroku in Shindo Muso-ryu Jodo from Osato Kohei, Menkyo Kaiden of the Nihon Jodokai. He is eighth dan Kyoshi in the Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaido Seitokai under Fukui Masato Soke. In … Continue reading Interview with Multi-Martial Artist Jack Bieler: Daito-ryu, Aikido, and Weapons

Interview with TAMU Kendo Kyokai Member Shiloh Bower: Kendo at University

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

In the late spring of 2013, Shiloh Bower enrolled into the Austin Kendo Doshikai under the leadership of Tetsuo Komizu. Five years later, Bower decided to go to Texas A&M University for college and Komizu tasked him to “make A&M kendo great again!” With this task on his mind, he found the remnants of the … Continue reading Interview with TAMU Kendo Kyokai Member Shiloh Bower: Kendo at University

Interview with Atlanta School of Aikido Founder Larry Feldman: Mark Leidig, Shizuo Imaizumi, and Internal Power

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Larry Feldman first started with Hakko-ryu Jujutsu by the end of his high school career. He later moved to Texas and looked for aikido at the suggestion of his former high school gym teacher. Feldman began training with Greg Swarens and later learned from Mark Leidig. Under Leidig, Feldman experienced Shizuo Imaizumi’s approach to aikido. … Continue reading Interview with Atlanta School of Aikido Founder Larry Feldman: Mark Leidig, Shizuo Imaizumi, and Internal Power

Interview with Macdonald Academy of Arms Founder Paul Macdonald: Finding and Exploring Historical Fencing

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Zorro first inspired Paul Macdonald to pick up a sword and fence. He did not start officially fencing until he reached university level, learning Modern Olympic Fencing. Something was missing from this type of fencing for Macdonald. That something was found in Domenico Angelo’s late seventeenth century treatise and the rest for him was history. … Continue reading Interview with Macdonald Academy of Arms Founder Paul Macdonald: Finding and Exploring Historical Fencing

Interview with Akayama-ryu Headmaster Mark Barlow: Learning from Alex Marshall

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Mark Barlow first met Alex Marshall during his time at university in a judo class. Barlow joined the class and never looked back. As Marshall began working with more and more law enforcement, he started to codify everything that he learned into one system, Akayama-ryu Jujutsu. Since his passing, Barlow has taken over the responsibilities … Continue reading Interview with Akayama-ryu Headmaster Mark Barlow: Learning from Alex Marshall