TAREK HUSSEIN MARTIALFORCE.COM INTERVIEW

MARTIALFORCE.COM

PRESENTS

MASTER TAREK HUSSEIN

APRIL / 2010

“If it wasn't for my parents I wouldn't even be involved in martial arts period.

So they are the ones to receive the first credit.”

Interview by Eddie Morales

Martialforce.com

Online Magazine

My name is Eddie Morales and welcomed to Martialforce.com Online Martial Arts Magazine In my many years of practice in the martial arts I have seen countless practitioners go from beginner level to intermediate while only a handful would reach the Master level. It is with deep commitment that one must embark on the study of anything worth having or learning. In this day and age there are so many martial artists that have set high standards of excellence to follow. As you go through life, sometimes you come across the path of an individual that you know with every sense of your being, will set a new standard. This not only in the physical level but also in every facet that makes a human being who they are. I have seen the best and have acknowledged their accomplishments but was rare when I would be impressed, “Rare until now.” The person I refer to carries within him a compassionate heart, but make no mistake, as it is the heart of a lion. His embrace of life has a simple focus, which is the perfection of his art, and the continued dedicated honor and integrity of those who came before him. The person that I am speaking of is Master Tarek Hussein. Master Hussein is by any standards a hardcore no nonsense martial artist who grew up with its Teaching as part of his daily life. To watch him demonstrate is to see the dedication that not only he put into its practice but moreover the knowledge and commitment his instructors put into him. He is the personification of his instructor’s teachings and continues to pass on the knowledge he was given. In the tradition of a true warrior and traditional instructor, Master Hussein teaches his art with the same motivation, conviction and truth that he was taught. This writer has no doubt that we will be hearing a lot about this young Master in the future. Everyone has someone they look up to, and to many, Master Hussein is a symbol of strength and courage and I give a humble and well-earned salute to his dedication. It is my honor and privilege to introduce Martialforce.com readers to a gentlemen and warrior, Master Tarek Hussein.

Martialforce.com: How old were you when you started martial arts and who was your instructor?

MASTER HUSSEIN: I started Martial Arts when I was around 4 years old. Before I was even cognizant about Martial Arts or before I even knew what Martial Arts was. I would remember running around the house kicking and punching wearing my silk black Chinese robe my grandfather made for me, even though I had no idea what a Gi or Uniform was. I believe this was my destiny... to become a Martial Artist.

I had many instructors, the school I belonged to was one of the top Martial Arts schools in the country and had one of the strongest Tae Kwon Do teams Nationally and Internationally, so we had many black belts and instructors from other styles that trained there and eventually would become my instructor as well... However my main instructor is Master Ramy Latchinian, he is my Tae Kwon Do instructor and I owe this man everything in terms of my career in Martial Arts. Also my instructor, Master Khaled Elsherif who taught him Full Contact Kung-Fu in Egypt moved to the U.S. and taught me Full Contact Kung-Fu. I also had another Tae Kwon Do instructor who was one of the best fighters in Egypt, Master Tamer Maher also moved with Ramy to the U.S. to teach Martial Arts. And lastly another instructor I give a lot of credit to is Master Al Harris who was one of my Boxing and Full Contact Karate instructors.

So to answer the question my main instructor is Master Ramy Latchinian, but Master Khaled, Tamer and Master Harris are the MAIN ones. Regardless of the other boxing, muay thai, bjj instructors that I trained with, these are the ones that literally raised me and molded me into the Martial Artist and person I am today.

Martialforce.com: Can you tell our readers how you got involved in Ground fight training?

MASTER HUSSEIN: I remember when I first started my instructor Master Ramy would teach application and pressure points during the Forms day class. After he taught us the applications, pressure points and grappling techniques, we would do something called pressure point sparring as he called it, or what I know now as "Rolling". So come to think of it I was involved in grappling since I began training, but I got involved with Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu when I was a freshman in High School... I remember during school I would always bring martial arts magazines with me in my back pack. I would read them during lunch or sometimes I will even admit, read them during class. I would always see ads for the UFC and saw a lot of adds about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. So one day I ordered UFC 2 on VHS from Amazon.com and watched Royce Gracie submit all of his opponents without throwing a single kick or punch. I just sat there and said what the heck did he do. From that moment on I had to learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and take my ground fighting training to the next level.

Martialforce.com: Did you ever compete in tournaments and is it something you recommend to students?

MASTER HUSSEIN: I began competing in tournaments when I was 7 years old. I remember the day clearly, I competed in the green belt division and won the grand championship for my first tournament I ever competed in. Since then I have competed for many years nationally and internationally. Winning state championships numerous times, pan american, international, junior olympics, national championships, etc... In addition to competing in Boxing, Full Contact Kick-Boxing/Muay Thai, MMA and Tae Kwon Do.

I would recommend competing in tournaments to my students but it depends on the student. Some of them have no desire to compete, nor do they want to compete. Some train to self cultivate themselves. To develop self-defense skills, self-confidence, humility, respect. Some just do it to get in shape, as a hobby to interact with others. Then you have some that are intense, athletic and have the drive to challenge themselves against others... What I recommend to my students is to set goals for themselves, always challenge themselves, and set a level of expectation that only they themselves will feel is acceptable to their standards. If one of their goals is to compete, then I will support them 100%.

Martialforce.com: Do you cross train in regards to weights, running or any other method?

MASTER HUSSEIN: When I was in High School I started to really experiment with weights, but honestly I don't do that much weight lifting. I believe in technique. I believe superior technique and a strong state of mentality and mental toughness will overcome speed, strength, athleticism, and brute force in any real life situation.

When I prepare for tournaments or fights I do a lot of running, conditioning, plyometric and core training. For Martial Arts I believe plyometric conditioning, core and explosiveness training is more important than weight lifting. I believe weight lifting is more focused on full contact fighting and MMA type fighting which is important, especially when fighters at that level have superior technique.

For self-defense I don't believe weight lifting is necessary, but for MMA and full contact type fighting, weight lifting is very beneficial if trained properly to suite the persons own body type.

Martialforce.com: Can you tell us who influenced you to become a martial artist?

MASTER HUSSEIN: Before I answer that question I'll say this. If it wasn't for my parents I wouldn't even be involved in martial arts period. So they are the ones to receive the first credit.

Many people have influenced and inspired me to become a martial artist, and to improve myself as a martial artist. My instructors have influenced me to become the person I am today. They basically were my second fathers. They would pick me up from school, take me to the Dojo/Dojang and would help me with homework and get me food until my parents would come late at night to pick me up.

Others that have inspired me in the martial arts would have to be, Bruce Lee, Mas Oyama, Miyamoto Musashi, Steven Seagal, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Morihei Ueshiba, Helio Gracie, Rickson Gracie, the list can go on and on...

Martialforce.com: We noticed that you are cross-trained in Grappling, Kickboxing and a few other arts. My question is, do you feel there is something to learn from every Martial Art or have you encountered a negative sense from any particular art.

MASTER HUSSEIN: There is always something to learn from any Martial Arts, or any person in general. It all depends on the individual who interprets the art. Philosophy and humility are two very important factors in Martial Arts. The majority of Martial Arts today are taught for either a means to make income or for competition and sport. People have to remember the roots of the Martial Arts, the foundation and the history in order to truly understand the reason for their own training and personal development.

Martialforce.com: I notice you have very good flexibility so my question is; do you train more for kicks than hand strikes?

MASTER HUSSEIN: I train to balance everything. Striking, kicking, punching, grappling, throws, takedowns, ground fighting, clinch fighting, etc...

However my base is kicking. I like kicking the best. I think it is fun to kick people in the head, ala Bill Wallace. ;) But my training is pretty balanced, practice a lot of hand and kicking techniques.

Martialforce.com: Can you tell our readers what a typical day of training is in regards to your own personal training?

MASTER HUSSEIN: It varies on each day... I like to say I train every single day, at every hour of the day. I train 24/7. My mind is always on Martial Arts. If I am sitting down at a restaurant I am thinking about Martial Arts. Going out with friends, I am still thinking about Martial Arts. So I consider that training as well. In terms of physical training I don't have a set schedule or routine. I believe the less planned my schedule is, the more I will benefit out of the training. The only time I start planning what type of training we do on each days is if there is an upcoming tournament.

But a typical day of training is a balance between mental, spiritual and physical training. In order to get to the physical aspect of training you have to get your mental aspect in check. What I mean is many people just train for the sake of kicking and punching, they sweat they do a couple rounds of sparring and they feel good afterwards. For me the training has to have a purpose, it has to have a meaning. Martial Arts like Yin and Yang has to be balanced. Hard and soft. External and Internal.

I start with focusing my mind to prepare me for the training. Not necessarily meditating but breathing, and focusing on why I am even going to train in martial arts today... That is when it becomes deep and apart of the spiritual aspect to prepare for the external. Then comes warming up, stretching, practice kicks, punches, footwork, forms and kata, sparring and conditioning.

Martialforce.com: What in your opinion makes a good martial artist?

MASTER HUSSEIN: An open mind, Commitment, Good character, Loyalty, Respect, Dedication... Maybe it won't make a good martial artist, but it sure is the first step in order to become a GREAT one.

Martialforce.com: What do you consider your greatest achievement in life or martial arts?

MASTER HUSSEIN: My greatest achievement in life I can say is my character and my discipline. Character because I feel for people who are in need in help. I think just helping people or showing people you care is the greatest achievement of all.

In terms of martial arts... I don't think I am qualified to give an answer on that yet. My martial arts career is just beginning.

Martialforce.com: What is your opinion on Mixed Martial Arts events such as the U.F.C.?

MASTER HUSSEIN: My opinion on MMA and UFC is like hot and cold. I agree that it is the most realistic form of competition for martial artists today. However I don't agree that is how you have to fight in order to defend yourself. On the street it is anything goes. But that's when you have to distinguish between martial sport and martial art. The budo aspect of martial art is a means for killing. So what you see in MMA is not how it will happen on the street. There are no rules, no refs, no time limits. Going to the groin, biting, striking the throat, small joint, eyes gouges, that is reality. Picking up a stick or a rock if it's around you to help you in the situation, that is true martial arts. Not the techniques, but the understandment of the Budo mentality. The survival, the killing aspect. You don't have to be a world class MMA fighter in order to defend yourself. Fighting and defense are two different subjects.

The thing I do not like about MMA today is because it is so popular many of the younger generation are neglecting traditional martial arts and replacing that with MMA. They are not building a base or foundation. They train in a little bit of everything but master nothing. But the most important part I want to address is the younger generation won't get to experience the philosophy or culture of true martial arts. Because of MMA today everyone just wants to be involved in martial arts to fight. They want to learn how to fight. Martial Arts is deeper than just fighting. Kids today don't care about the history or the spiritual aspect of martial arts, what they see on TV and the UFC is the brutality and the popularity of it.

Martialforce.com: How much of the Martial arts do you think is mental conditioning in regards to attitude towards training and achievement?

MASTER HUSSEIN: I believe everything in the martial arts is about mental conditioning. I believe in order to be a great martial artist one always has to balance the physical aspect and spiritual/mental aspect of the martial arts. Like yin and yang one has to be balanced in life in order to be successful, and martial arts is no exception.