OCT - 2008
Interview by Shihan Eddie Morales
Martialforce.com
Online Magazine
In
opening I would like to say, it is my honor and privilege to bring this
interview to you with Grand Master Pierre T. Rene.
Grand Master Pierre T. Rene began his
Martial arts training in the late 1950’s and has continued to be a driving force
for our youth and his Community.
Grand Master Rene through time,
research and endless dedication developed his own system after having practiced
the Traditional Art of Shotokan Karate for many years.
He has produced various Karate
champions’ and Master Instructors aside from running a successful television show and recently
beginning a new endeavor with his Online Magazine “Martial
Arts Warrior.”
I have heard about Grand Master
Pierre T. Rene for
many years and thought because of his wealth of knowledge and experience, he
would be a great interview to present to our readers here at Martialforce.com
The following is my
interview with what I consider in every sense of the word a true “Pioneer” of
the Martial Arts. This is a man that was presented the keys to many cities for
his contributions to society.
Martialforce.com:
When did your Martial Arts training begin and who was your first instructor?
Grand Master Pierre T. Rene: I began in the year 1955 / 1956. My first instructor was the
streets of Brooklyn New York, which led me to start training with Sifu
Russell until 1965 and the US Army thru 1967.
I eventually trained with my brothers who were being taught by
Grand Master George Cofield of the Shotokan System at Tongs Dojo located on
Saint Marks Street in Brooklyn New York.
Martialforce.com:
When did you develop your own system and what
was your motivation?
Grand Master Pierre T. Rene:
My own system was developed
back in the year 1975. I was convinced that you could not attack or defend
yourself against a person or persons with the thought of always going straight
forward at an object, which became evident to me when I was competing...
There are times when you have to go up, over and
around your opponent if need be to win a match or when protecting yourself in
the streets. The Shotokan System did not offer any other means of attack.
Martialforce.com:
Can you name some of your most dedicated
students Past and Present?
Grand Master Pierre T. Rene:
Eric Green, Winston Massey, Byron Miller,
Roger Clark, Derek Lovell, Derrick Williams, Tony Perry, Steve Beal,
Troy
Barcia, Wesner Pierre, Tashia Cortes,
Shayrela Moore, Harry Gomez,
Charlie Gomez, Hector Cruz, Ruda Williams, Glenn
Perry, Kah&kei,
Kenzie, Treasure, Shade’, Casper, Bolden, Prince, Tito, George
Harris,
Bobby B, Denny Dejohn, Itchy, Gary G, Tyrone T, Kenny Lovell, Kenny
Moore, Josey, Horace, Devine, Tamaria, Ben Gabriel, Barry Brick, Leroy,
Mike
West, Erma, Lance, Lennox Campbell, Craig Mason, Craig
Solomone,Simone Solomone,
Yah Yah , Danny Perez, Jay , Dahwanye
Ashman,Millie, Brandon Harze, John, Dean,
Quan, Leahton Shark, Marie
Bouquet, Key-sha Rene’, Sammy M, Mario and Roger.
Martialforce.com:
What went into the development of the Chinese Shotokan System?
Grand Master Pierre T. Rene: The Technical development comprised of
Circular movements, leg locks, throws, ride
hands, palm heels strikes, back thrust kicks, hook kicks, bites, scratches and
elbow strikes.
Martialforce.com:
What are your thoughts on Kata training?
Grand Master Pierre T. Rene:
I don’t believe in it.
Martialforce.com:
How do you feel about your students competing in tournaments?
Grand Master Pierre T. Rene: I
love the spirit of competition.
Martialforce.com: Did you yourself compete frequently?
Grand Master Pierre T. Rene:
Yes
Martialforce.com: Who were some of the most memorable competitors you fought in your
early days of competition?
Grand Master Pierre T. Rene:
Sam McGee, Jimmy Santiago, Donnie Collins, Swifty
and the Wilder Twins from Tongs Dojo, Joe Hayes and Fred Miller just to name a
few.
Martialforce.com: Do you think that tournament competitors are better today or better
in the early days of karate tournaments?
Grand Master Pierre T. Rene:
Because of the non - equipment use back then and
all the equipment used nowadays I would say the older days of competition were
better for that reason.
The competitors of today are just as good as back then but the
equipment is the difference. More black belts were attracted to kumite
(Fighting)
back then, where today the attraction is kata (Pre-arranged Movement). Its all karate, but im just
saying how it was back then.
Martialforce.com: I remember back when Master Fred Hamilton put together an open
challenge full contact bare fist bare feet tournament.
My question is, do you think tournaments today
should follow these rules?
Grand Master Pierre T. Rene:
NO, because of the legalities which is probably one of the reasons for all the
protective equipment today, which is ok. That was then and this is now and you
have to embrace the change because its part of life.
There are many ways to train and if full contact is your thing these days then
so be it. If you follow other rules , that's fine too as long as your always
moving forward and improving with minimal injury.
Martialforce.com: What were some of your favorite techniques when you were competing?
Grand Master Pierre T. Rene:
My favorite techniques were
Back kicks, hook kicks or a reverse punch.
Martialforce.com: You said you didn't believe in kata practice, did you practice kata in your
early days of training?
Grand Master Pierre T. Rene:
Yes I did, but the reason I stopped kata practice was because the pre-determined
moves. When I fought, no one attacked me in the same manner.
I gained more from basics and Kumite, which is what I practiced by choice.
Martialforce.com:
Then, what your saying is, you worked
on
allot of basics?
Grand Master Pierre T. Rene:
Definitely! basics are the key that worked for me.
Martialforce.com:
Our research shows that you run a successful
television show, can you tell our readers about this endeavor?
Grand Master Pierre T. Rene:
They said it couldn’t be done in the
beginning. I created, co produced and hosted the most successful Martial
Arts TV show in the United States.
The TV show is
called
Masters Of The Martial Arts which is in its’
fourth year of production. I am happy to say that I have won 1st
place in sports programming in television, which is the same as an Emmy award in
broadcasting.
Martialforce.com:
In your opinion, what does it take to become a good teacher?
Grand Master Pierre T. Rene:
It takes plenty of experience to handle
the subject matter, and a need to share knowledge about the subject.
Martialforce.com:
What do you believe is the most important aspect
of Karate training?
Grand Master Pierre T. Rene:
Conditioning, Consistency,
and setting a Goal.
Martialforce.com:
Do you still train your students now the way you
did when you began your training and if so, what is the difference between then
and now?
Grand Master Pierre T. Rene:
YES, the training is the
same; the difference is the air conditioning we have today.
Martialforce.com: What
are your thoughts on Mixed Martial Arts?
Grand Master Pierre T. Rene:
To each his own.
Martialforce.com:
What would you say is your biggest
accomplishment in Martial Arts or life itself?
Grand Master Pierre T. Rene:
My Television show Masters
Of the Martial Arts and my online Magazine Martial
Arts Warrior.
Another accomplishment is my annual Martial Arts Parade here at
Orange County Parks & Recreation in Barnett Park.
Martialforce.com:
What are your hopes for the future of Martial
Arts?
Grand Master Pierre T. Rene:
My hopes for the future of Martial Arts
are very high.
It’s about giving back as much as I can of myself to this world,
my students and the Martial Arts.
Martialforce.com:
Do you have any words of
encouragement for Martial Artist and people in general that are reading this
interview?
Grand Master Pierre T. Rene:
If we learn to master ourselves we can
master our destiny as well as our future.
CLICK ON IMAGES TO
ENLARGE
CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE
Martialforce.com:
Thank you Sir
for this interview, we here at Martialforce.com wish you
the best and
know you will continue to be a strong force in the Martial Arts world.
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