MARTIALFORCE.COM
PRESENTS
AN INTERVIEW WITH
HANSHI RICK DIAZ
JAN / 2011
“Martial Arts has given me wisdom, knowledge
and power that no other discipline offers.”
My name is Eddie Morales and welcome to Martialforce.com Online Martial Arts Magazine. I want to introduce our readers to Hanshi Rick Diaz. Diaz is an east coast based Martial Artist that has been involved in its practice for many years. He is a well-recognized and respected instructor, teacher and tournament promoter. His lineage can be traced to some of the most prominent instructors and his focus is to spread the art of Karate. Diaz is very community minded and is a dedicated human being when it involves helping someone to succeed in life. I did extensive research on Hanshi Diaz for this interview and I can say with honesty that he is well respected by his peers and competitors alike. We here at Martialforce.com are honored to get this interview and hope you enjoy it.
Interview by Eddie Morales
Martialforce.com
Online Magazine
Martialforce.com: Where were you born and what area did you grow up in?
RICK DIAZ: I was born in Manhattan. I grew up in Lower East Side, Brooklyn and Manhattan?
Martialforce.com: What is your current occupation?
RICK DIAZ: Recreation/Sports Director for City of New York Parks & Recreation. I coach basketball, chess and weightlifting. And, of course, teach karate. I am also a tournament promoter.
Martialforce.com: When and where and with who did you begin your Martial Arts training?
RICK DIAZ: In 1962, I began studying in the Korean Art of Tae Kwon Do. I began researching different arts and changed my focus and training to Shotokan with José Torres in Brooklyn. I started browsing through martial arts magazines were I came upon Master Peter Urban. I found his teachings fascinating and in 1966 began training with Master Urban in USA Goju Ryu. I stayed in touch with him and saw him not long before his death.
CHAKA ZULU AND RICK DIAZ
RICK DIAZ, SECOND FROM THE LEFT WITH GOJU PATCH
Martialforce.com: What do you feel that the practice of Martial Arts has given you?
RICK DIAZ: Martial Arts has given me wisdom, knowledge and power that no other discipline offers. It has given me the opportunity to meet, teach, mentor, and train people of all race, color, age and socioeconomic backgrounds. When you see a student progress, grow, and use what you teach in their daily life is a great sense of pride. This contribution to the world is humbling.
Martialforce.com: Who has been your greatest influence in Martial Arts and throughout your life?
RICK DIAZ: Grandmaster Peter Urban was my greatest influence. GM Urban took the time to teach me and gave me knowledge of life and the martial arts in and out of the dojo. He gave me wisdom that I could not have learned from anyone else. He taught me a philosophy of life that I continue to use everyday. GM Urban was my father as he was too so many great martial artists that came from him.
Martialforce.com: Do you believe that the practice of Kata (Pre-arranged Movements) is useful and if so why?
RICK DIAZ: Yes, kata is the essence of martial arts. Kata gives you balance, coordination, focus, strength, speed and technique, and timing. Kata is the art of combat. It consists of all techniques within a style. When you master a kata that is all you need in a fight as the techniques come natural.
Martialforce.com: From your experience, what do you believe defines a good Martial Arts practitioner?
RICK DIAZ: A good kata man. Everyone can fight but not everyone can perfect a kata. A good martial artist is dedicated, loyal and diligent. They are consistent with their training. They work hard and train hard.
Martialforce.com: Can you give our readers your definition of a good instructor?
RICK DIAZ: A good instructor is loyal and dedicated to their students, always bringing something new to the table. Thinking outside the box and encouraging students to see, learn and watch other styles to broaden their understanding of the arts. A good instructor shares their wisdom and knowledge with students in and out of the dojo.
Martialforce.com: What would you say is your greatest achievement to date?
RICK DIAZ: That at my age I am still able to train and teach regardless of all of the obstacles that have been in my life. That students I trained at a young age visit and tell me how much the martial arts means to them whether they still train or not. Some have gone on to write a college thesis or dissertation on the arts. This is one of my greatest achievements. That my teaching has helped developed positive characteristics and traits of so many fine quality people. I offer my instruction as a volunteer. Giving back to the arts and to the community is also a great achievement.
Martialforce.com: Do you have long-term plans in regards to Martial Arts?
RICK DIAZ: My long term plan is to keep moving forward, learning and progressing, to never stop training or teaching. One day I will pass on my system, Ichimaru Kai Kan for the next generation of karateteka. I hope to be buried in my gi as this is my eternal plan.
What is ichimaru kai kan?
RICK DIAZ: The name was given to me by peter urban and I eventually used it as the base name of the system I teach. It translates to (number one, destroyer, association and house).
Martialforce.com: Were you or your students tournament competitors?
RICK DIAZ: Yes, I was a competitor for many years. I competed in many tournaments throughout the years primarily kata, and kumite. Now I like to watch my students compete, they are local and national competitors. Though it is not mandatory, they are trained to compete in traditional or open divisions. I believe students should see both sides of the fence and have the opportunity to see other styles. Watching other practitioners compete should encourage students to train harder.
Martialforce.com: From your experience, have you seen a positive or negative change in sport Karate competition?
RICK DIAZ: Going mainstream is difficult for any sport. Sport karate will open up doors and promote the martial arts on a broader level, which is good for all styles not only sport.
Martialforce.com: While there are advantages to tournament competition do you think there is a downside and if so, what?
RICK DIAZ: It is good for students to compete. They have the opportunity to meet other martial artists, and have an opportunity to see martial artists of all levels and styles. They should be encouraged to train harder. The main downside to tournaments is politics and bias judges. Too many times, we see unfair judging. What makes a great tournament are humble, good, quality competitors and more important fair judging. Judges must be open minded to all styles with an understanding of others. This is what makes a good judge and a successful tournament.
Martialforce.com: At what age do you believe a child should start Martial Arts training?
RICK DIAZ: To take advantage of the discipline I think kids should start as early as age 3. Martial arts has so many great benefits and can help in so many different areas like coordination, focus, discipline. However, it not until they are older can they really understand the true essence of the arts and its history.
Martialforce.com: You have promoted many successful Martial arts tournaments. Can you tell our readers when and why you began this endeavor?
RICK DIAZ: Between the years 1972 through 1974 I began tournament promoting as a natural progression of events. I went through a period without promoting until 1990 when I created the karate tournament of champions. I promote tournaments because I have been told that my tournaments are run well and it’s a place where everyone can come together as a unit to express martial arts.
Martialforce.com: Thank you for accepting this interview and we here at Martialforce.com wish you continued success.
RICK DIAZ: Thank you
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