MARTIALFORCE.COM
PRESENTS
AN INTERVIEW WITH
MASTER RON COOK
Jan / 2011
"As an instructor teaches his students the
perfection of character, so should he be reminded of it."
My name is Eddie Morales and welcome to Martialforce.com Online Martial Arts Magazine. I want to introduce our readers to Master Ron Cook. Cook is a hardcore Martial artist that comes from a strong lineage. He is based out of New York City and continues to pass his knowledge as it was taught to him. I first saw Master Cook back in approximately the year 1980. I was with my brother in law Master Jose Jordan who was Cook’s senior at the time. We were at a tournament in Brooklyn New York that was regulated by the AAU. Cook was a color belt at the time and was literally wiping out his opponents in record time. He demonstrated strong basics with an iron will to win, which was common place for all members of his Dojo. The competitors were very tough but he would always step up to the plate and win. He is a traditionalist at heart but understands eclectic views. It is our hope that this interview gives you some insight into the life of a dedicated Martial Artist, teacher and family man.
Interview By Eddie Morales
Martialforce.com
Online Magazine
Martialforce.com: Where were you born and raised?
RON COOK: I was born in Brooklyn New York. I grew up half in Brooklyn and Harlem NY.
Martialforce.com: When ,where and why did you begin your Martial Arts training?
RON COOK: In the early to mid 70’s I went to see a Bruce Lee movie
and I was hooked immediately! After coming out the theater, my cousin and I
started moving around like if we already knew the Arts. Well at least I
thought I knew what I was doing. In 1976 I began training in Brooklyn at
Grand Master Thomas LaPuppet’s house.
Martialforce.com: Who has been your greatest influence throughout your life in regards to Martial Arts or in general?
RON COOK: Grand Master Thomas LaPuppet and Bruce Lee.
Martialforce.com: You trained under the late Grand Master Thomas La Puppet; can you tell our readers a little about your experience under his tutelage?
RON COOK: Yes, he was tough!! There were other teenagers who trained
there but I found myself quite a few times alone because many times the
others did not show up for class. At those training sessions I wished other
students would come because all the attention was on me. It was grueling
and he didn’t give any slack. But fortunately for me I was getting private
lessons from a legend, which I didn’t understand at the time.
Martialforce.com: Grand Master La Puppets Dojo (school) had a reputation for producing strong minded technical Karate practitioners and exceptionally focused Fighters, can you name a few of your dojo brothers?
RON COOK: Master Jose Jordan, Shihan Cedric Barksdale, Leon Jones, Godfrey Golden, Ian Straker, Vincent Stephens, Moises Delecruz, Dee Villalona and Pauline Gambuto are just some of the dojo brothers and sisters who I respect a great deal.
Martialforce.com: I recall you competing and defeating your opponents quickly back in the early 1980’s. My question is, what or who motivated you into the competitive arena?
RON COOK: Thank you for your recollection (smile). My first
tournament I witnessed, I believe was Joyce Santamaria’s open tournament. I
went with Grand Master LaPuppet just to tour with him in 1976. There were
rings and competitors everywhere! At that moment I knew I had to be a part
of that excitement!
Martialforce.com: In regards to the tournament circuit, do you see any positive or negative changes since you began competing?
RON COOK: Yes, there are some changes since I began. One example is
that most fighters now are trained to bounce and move around more. Back when
I started it were more toe-to-toe battles. Other than that, unfortunately
not too many things have changed. There are still some judges who clearly
judge unfairly. I think for this reason, martial arts tend to lose some of
its potential competitors.
Martialforce.com: You were in the military, what branch and how did you reach the decision to join?
RON COOK: I was in a good high school but chose to cut many classes to hang out with the boys. So when I found out I had to go to my neighborhood high school, I suddenly woke up and knew I had to get myself together. Thank God at that time you did not need a high school diploma to enter the military. I was 17 when I decided that the military would be my best choice. So I took and pass the exam to join the U.S. Army.
Martialforce.com: You are also in the Correctional Department, was this just a natural progression of your military career or was it a sudden opportunity?
RON COOK: In 1983 I completed my three years in the military, I had a
few jobs here and there. Then a couple of my dojo brothers (Jose Jordan and
Godfrey Golden) told me to take the test for the city correctional job. I
took the exam in February 1987 and was in the academy in December the same
year.
Martialforce.com: Do you teach any of the Correctional personnel defensive tactics?
RON COOK: For 12 years I’ve taught defensive tactics at the
correction academy. Now I have a few students who are correctional personnel
but most are civilians from the neighborhood.
Martialforce.com: What in your experience defines a good Karate practitioner?
RON COOK: A good Karate practitioner to me is one who will practice
not only in the dojo but also at home or anywhere they can find to train, Including in their mind.
Martialforce.com: What are the characteristics of a good instructor?
RON COOK: I believe a good instructor shows examples of good
characteristics by demonstrating them to his students on and off the floor.
As an instructor teaches his students the perfection of character, so should
he be reminded of it.
Martialforce.com: Are you currently teaching and if so, where?
RON COOK: Yes, I teach classes at,
89-17 139th Street, Jamaica NY 11435
Martialforce.com: Can you name some of your toughest people that you have competed against?
RON COOK:
In my earliest years of competition I went up against Larry Cureton when we
were teenagers. A great match by the way, which he beat me by one point.
Then there was Jerry Fontanez in the mid eighties who were a celebrity and a
favorite. So you know where that went. In the last few years, Andre Mason
gave me some tough times and beating me. I was able to bounce back the last
couple of times we fought though. Then this last guy from Texas, Michael
Jackson almost beat me when he kicked my head so hard, I almost blacked out
standing up. I was able to gather my senses and came back to beat him.
Martialforce.com: What are your thoughts on the usefulness of Kata training (Pre-arranged Movements)?
RON COOK: To be honest, in my first dozen of years practicing Karate,
I did not care to even understand kata. I just wanted to fight but Master LaPuppet insisted on kata training. We could not fight without doing kata.
After I injured myself at work, I could not fight for months. So I slowly
started practicing kata at home and really started to visualize the
applications of them. It was my “Ahh” moment in Karate training.
Martialforce.com: What are your thoughts on cross training in regards to weights, running or other systems of Martial Arts?
RON COOK: Cross training is the way to go. Even though I say I’m a
Traditional Shotokan practitioner, I have crossed trained with Praying
Mantis and Wing Chung kung fu styles, GoJu, Taekwondo, boxing and grappling.
I think every style has something to offer.
Martialforce.com: Do you have any long or short-term goals in regards to Karate?
RON COOK: I’ve been practicing, competing and teaching Karate for
most of my life. My long-term goal is to stay as fit as I can and pass the
knowledge to anyone who is willing to accept the tradition as it was
instilled in me.
Martialforce.com: What do you feel has been your greatest achievement in Karate or life in general?
RON COOK: One of my greatest achievements was fighting with the best
team ever! That team was the NYC Correction Karate Team. We had guys like
Anthony Muhammad, Ricardo Pickens, Richard Monroe, Danny Henry, Lemuel
Isaac, Kevin Conroy, Jorge Figueroa and Joseph Collins. We competed against
and dominated NYPD and FDNY Karate Teams in the ‘Battle of the Badges’ a
number of times back in the late 80’s and early 90’s.
Martialforce.com: When Grand Master La Puppet passed away was there someone in place to take over the organization or was that decided after his passing?
RON COOK: Cedric Barksdale now heads the organization. He was one of
the highest-ranking belts who often traveled with Grand Master LaPuppet.
Martialforce.com: Do you study any form of Kobudo (weapons)?
RON COOK: Within the last 3 years I started studying with the Bo
(staff).
Martialforce.com: Do you think that Martial Arts training is good for children and if yes or no, why?
RON COOK: Yes, Martial Arts is good for children. If taught to
children correctly, along with instilling in them the Dojo Kun which is;
Seek Perfection of Character, Be Faithful, Endeavor, Respect Others and
Refrain from Violent Behavior, they will become upright citizens and have an
understanding of human compassion.
Martialforce.com: Do you have any words of encouragement for the person that is reading this and considering joining a school but never arrives at a decision?
RON COOK: I think some people hesitate about joining a Martial Art
school because of the fear of getting injured. My suggestion is to go not
only to your neighborhood school. Check out a few schools. If you’re not
allowed to sit and watch a class before you join then you don’t know what
you’re getting into. Does the main instructor teach the classes him or
herself or is the student teaching most of the time? Not to knock the
student because some students are very good at teaching. Yes, some
instructors are very new and may not have control over their techniques or
students for that matter. Some schools practiced safety more than others and
some want you to get tough over night. However, there’s a school out there
just right for you. Your Age Does Not Matter!!
Martialforce.com: Thank you for your insight and we are grateful you accepted this interview.
RON COOK: Thank you for selecting me for this interview. I am
graciously humbled.
Martialforce.com: Sensei Cook currently teaches at , 89-17 139th Street, Jamaica NY 11435
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