MARTIALFORCE.COM
PRESENTS
INTERVIEW UPDATE WITH
GRAND MASTER
WILFREDO ROLDAN
APRIL / 2011
My name is Eddie Morales and welcome to Martialforce.com Online Martial Arts Magazine. I want to introduce Martialforce.com readers to Grand Master Wilfredo Roldan. Roldan has been a major part of East Coast Martial Arts history past and present. He maintains a strict disciple of training while teaching the way of old with modern innovations. Roldan is a well respected in the Martial Arts community by many who maintain integrity in training. He is very outspoken so if don’t want to here the truth, don’t ask him. We here at Martialforce.com are always happy to here from Grand Master Roldan and we hope you enjoy this interview.
Interview by Eddie morales
martialforce.com
Online martial arts Magazine
Martialforce.com: What is your occupation?
After retiring from the New York City Dept of Education which I worked in various departments like special Ed and science for twenty seven years. Current occupation is I run the Nisei Goju System. In the 1970's I did a number blaxploitation film but did not want to be a starving artist so I be came a high school teacher. After retiring, I enrolled into the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute work on my new career as an actor. You 've seem some of my work.
Martialforce.com: What was it like back when you started Karate training and who were some of your Dojo brothers?
WILFREDO ROLDAN: I started training in the martial arts in 1966 at the age of 15. I did some boxing and Judo for about eight months at the Boys Club of New York on the lower East side of Manhattan, NYC. There I learned to box, falling skills and a number of judo throws. My first karate teacher was the late Sensei Owen Watson. The training was brutal back then. There were no such things as safety gloves of any kind. The sparring was real and it was a sink or swim environment. You knew what had to be done and you did it. Many people today, could not take that kind of training. Sensei Watson sent me to train in Staten Island's House of Karate with Grand Master’s Chris DeBasie and Lamonte for kata and kumite. In my opinion, it was a different breed of people then. During the under belt training, some of my dojo brothers were Moses Boone, Clifton Diggs, Frank Fair, Rico Guy, George Russell Ivy, Joseph "JO-JO" Shalinsky, Kurt Woodlawn and a few others. We all worked very hard on our skills. We had no choice.
After Owen Watson promoted me to brown belt (Circa 1970), he took me to train with the late Grand Master Frank Ruiz at Sensei Skipper Ingham's mid town dojo. We were all in GM Peter Urban’s USA Goju System at that time. Sensei Watson and I walk into the dojo. Sensei Frank Ruiz was already in his Gi, when he asked Sensei Watson, referring to me "What's he doing here?", Sensei Watson’s response was "I brought him to get some discipline. " Sensei Watson showed me the road of Martial Arts and Sensei Ruiz showed me how to take the road. I put on my Gi and got on the mat. Sensei Ruiz invited me to spar. Terrified, I squared off with Sensei Ruiz. Before I knew it, I was swept off my feet and found my head was between the floor and the master's foot. It was a brutal awakening for me, as I started my training for my Shodan in Nisei Goju Ryu. This was a place that everyone took serious. Many times some of the guys would wake up out of unconsciousness in the shower after sparring with Sensei Ruiz. We all had to feel the Master's skills to believe. It was a matter of survival and you knew what was learned could actually be used in the real world.
Martialforce.com: If you had to isolate one difference in training from when you began, what would that be?
WILFREDO ROLDAN: The one difference in training was that you fought for real and the injuries were also real. This kept you on your toes and kept you humble, as you self realized your own potential and your place in the Martial Arts world. I still try to train those who can handle it, the old school method of marital arts.
Martialforce.com: Do you teach the Nisei System as it was passed down to you or have you made additions in the training method and what are those additions?
WILFREDO ROLDAN: I teach the goju as it was handed down to me by GM Ruiz, who sent me to Ju Jitsu training under Grand Master Pete Siringano (Founder: Samurai JuJitsu.). I also spent many years studying under Prof. Florendo Mal Calruz Visitacion (Founder:Vee Te, Vee Jitsu 75, Vee Arnis Jitsu). After GM Ruiz taught me as he said "All I can teach you", he sent me to Grand Master Peter Urban (founder:USA/Urban Goju Ryu) for advanced Goju knowledge .
It was exciting to learn from these pioneers of the American Martial Arts Movement. As the Grand Master of Nisei Goju, I added elements of these styles to the Nisei System’s curriculum to enhance its appeal and effectiveness. A karate system must transcend beyond kicking and punching. We were doing M.M.A. before it was fashionable and or named. I also added Kali Eskrima Arnis and oriental weapons to the Nisei System's Curriculum. This gave students first hand, the knowledge of the use of weapons. Knowledge that was transferable to our style. It is the responsibility of grand masters to add, that which is useful and complimentary to their systems.
Martialforce.com: I have heard many great things about your instructor, Frank Ruiz. Can you give us a personal profile of how Frank Ruiz was viewed through the eyes of Wilfredo Roldan his student and friend? What kind of man was he?
WILFREDO ROLDAN: Frank Ruiz was one of my heroes in the Martial Arts. I am sure that I am not the only one that feels this way. Ruiz was a veteran of the Korean War and received many awards exemplifying his service in the military. He had first hand experiences in real hand-to-hand combat. He had a passion for life and the martial arts. He was a survivalist!! This came to light after he was struck by a car going 80 mph on the belt parkway in NYC. At first, doctors said he would not able to walk after such an accident. But, as history has it, he would walk again and do demonstrations. During our knife demonstrations, he would always insist that we use a live blade. He wanted everything to be real. I cut him twice during these shows. Something he was proud of. I would do the same and was cut once by one of my own students. He was a hell of a taskmaster in the arts. He ran his dojo like a military boot camp and made sure that protocol was always followed. He would take on all comers back in the day. He always said, "If a technique works, use it, it doesn’t matter what style it comes from” For many of us, he was a father figure who help us in martial arts and in life. Always putting those he taught first, he would train us to get us ready for tournaments and life's situations. I have always felt a profound love, respect and gratitude for what he has done for me in the martial arts and life.
Martialforce.com: Everyone has goals when they begin Martial Arts or any endeavor. Can you recall what your goals were at the color belt level and do you feel that you have reached or gone beyond them?
WILFREDO ROLDAN: In the beginning my goal was to learn to defend myself. After practicing for a few years my goal was then to become a black belt. Then my sight was set on being a teacher. Not everyone that begins actually finishes so I am happy that I came this far. It took determination and sacrifice but I feel it was all worth it. I would do it all again because it was an exciting and rewarding journey. My rewards were in the form of great teachers, good friends and strong Karate. To answer your question, yes I have reached my goals.
Martialforce.com: You have been around for the humble beginnings of East Coast Martial Arts. What are your thoughts on its evolution on the East coast then the rest of the world?
WILFREDO ROLDAN: The evolution of the Martial Arts is inevitable! The changes that are made, hopefully, will help the Martial Arts. No one recreates the wheel; they just put the wheel somewhere else or decorate it. But, a wheel is just a wheel. Some Martial Arts evolve positively and yet others, evolve negatively.
Its old school vs. new school. Today many styles and systems are being created and organizations are being formed. Many have lost their sense of tradition and cater to the Entertainment aspect of the arts. It is unfortunate that the integrity of some of these arts are not being upheld. The Black Belt was once a sacred thing. In the early days, a rank was earned with blood, sweat and tears. Today, you can buy a rank and be recognized by those hall of shame, oops I mean fame dinners that are happening all over the country and the world. The idea of social rank is growing more than ever. There are a few good and honest men and women that still uphold the traditions of old school Martial Arts! There are many charlatans in this Martial Art of ours. We have found a home with our Martial Arts and we must protect it. We must never forget where we come from and understand that respect is what it's all about!! Respect for the Martial Arts, its teachers, students and the Martial Arts community.
Martialforce.com: What would you suggest to all Martial arts practitioners so that its practice goes in a positive direction?
WILFREDO ROLDAN: What allot of members of the Martial Arts community fail to realize is that the most important part of our art is the relationship between the teacher and student. This relationship can make or break a student. It is our responsibility to encourage our students to do the best they can and assure them, that making the right decisions about practice is paramount. Making these decisions are important to this Martial Art’s road trip or as others may call it journey that we are on!! I recommend that all of you, who chose this path, must be diligent to avoid its pitfalls. It’s about developing sound basic skills in the beginning, for if you allow your students to develop improper basics, then they will take that to the upper ranks, which in turn will only hurt them in the end. This will only lead to inferior practitioners. Don't get into teaching advanced skills before they can comprehend and do, not just the movements but also the practicality for which they were intended. You would not give a junior high school student college material. I have seen instructors drill some students in advance techniques before they learn and/or understand the basic ones that lead to these advance techniques.
I've seen too many times instructors train students with advance skills or katas only for competition to get trophies and awards for their own gratification. Remember not to forget the student's growth, so we don't create a monster. You all know what I am talking about. Walk silently and carry a big stick was echoed by Teddy Roosevelt. That big stick is our basic techniques, that if done right will develop into stronger advanced skills in the future. Confidence not cockiness comes to mind. Humility is also something that we can pass on. How does one lead but by example! Students are more likely to learn more by what you do, than what you say. Lets teach our students how to protect this house we have made out of the Martial Arts, so they can protect theirs.
Martialforce.com: What are your thoughts on the ranking system as it is used in the United States today?
WILFREDO ROLDAN: There’s something missing in the way ranks are given out today. Its mostly promotion for business sake rather then skill. It was once a sacred thing, which is long gone and replaced with cash flow and social structure. Within my time in the Martial Arts I have seen people that get what I call social rank which means they never got on the mat but someone gave them a certificate in a social setting for whatever reason. It’s different now because in the past you had to perform and now you can get rank through the Internet or mail. It’s difficult to perfect one art much less a multitude of arts, which is the typical claim. You can learn allot of systems but you can’t perfect them all. I don’t mean not to learn from different systems because evolution is always present. I mean don’t claim to have mastered the complete systems, which seems to be a trend these days.
Martialforce.com: You were Grand Master Frank Ruiz’s Uke (Demonstration Partner) for many years. My question is, do you believe that being the Uke is the best way for a student to learn?
WILFREDO ROLDAN: Being an uke is the best way for anyone to learn if you want to improve your technique and find out its effectiveness. While the teacher is holding back his power so your not injured you are still getting a first hand experience. The most important thing about the arts as I previously mentioned is the student teacher relationship. If you are the teacher’s uke then you learn more about technique and the insight you gain is tremendous. Allot of people are reluctant to be an uke therefore limiting their knowledge base and truly understanding technique. It’s very difficult to be a good uke unless you’re serious about gaining knowledge.
Martialforce.com: On April 1972, both you and Grand Master Ruiz did a cover for Official Karate Magazine. Can you tell our readers how that session went?
WILFREDO ROLDAN: It was a late day in May, that Grand Master Frank Ruiz and I shot the cover for the April 1972 Edition of OFFICIAL KARATE MAGAZINE. The photographer was Joe Griffin. His studio was on west 40th Street. I remember that day, it was raining and we got to the studio late and drenched from the rain. After having some coffee and something to eat, we got down to the business of the shoot. I was a young Shodan (First Degree) and very excited about doing the cover with my instructor. We used one roll of film, that’s 32 shots on the roll. Grand Master Ruiz had no facial expressions as the pictures were taken. Mr. Joe Griffin wanted him to make a facial expression for the shot. Joe said, "Make a face, Frank". 32 shots were taken and I remember telling Sensei Ruiz "For gods sake, please make a face Sensei". After all, getting slammed in the neck 32 times was no fun!! It was, to say the least an exhausting shoot. I was proud to do the cover with then Sensei Ruiz. I will cherish that moment in martial arts history. I enjoyed every minute we worked together. Rest in peace Grand Master Ruiz, we still work it in the same spirit and dedication. OSU!!!
Martialforce.com: Thank you for sharing your memories and thoughts and as always we here at Martialforce.com wish you the best in all your future endeavors.
WILFREDO ROLDAN: Thank you, the pleasure was all mine.
Respectful Hands,
Wilfredo Roldan, Hanshi
NISEI GOJU RYU
HOMBU DOJO
Martialforce.com: Thank you for taking the time to do this interview and as always I wish you the best my friend.