Tenth-Degree Black Belt Teaches Local Students

A world-class martial arts master visited the Medina Kenpo Karate studio in Springfield the Thursday evening and taught fighting techniques to students.

Frank Trejo is a tenth-degree Kenpo Karate black belt, which is the highest rank a martial artist can receive.

“As far as being the ultimate, it’s a matter of opinion,” Trejo laughs.

Trejo, 58, began training in martial arts in 1966, when he was 14 years old. Growing up in Pasadena, Ca., Trejo trained with Ed Parker, who is consider to be one of the fathers of American karate.

In 1970, Trejo began training as a mixed martial artist, which meant that instead of focusing on only one area of expertise, Trejo combined boxing, kickboxing, karate, judo and ground fighting.

David Medina, who owns Medina Kenpo Karate studio, has known Trejo since the 1980s, and has been a student of his since then.

“The knowledge that he has is really amazing,” Medina says. “He’s such a good instructor and teacher, and he’s a really nice guy, to boot. You would never know how advanced he is in karate if you met him. He’s the kind of person who is so low-key, but he has this great ability.”

About 30 students took part in the session, which included planting and kicking exercises and hands-on instruction on proper techniques.

As class began, Trejo regaled his students with stories from his more than 40 years of mixed martial arts training, including the times that he spent while training in boxing.

“I took what I learned in karate, and used those principals in boxing,” said Trejo.

Although the class was filled with students of varying degrees of experience, Trejo said that he enjoys teaching students who practice at different levels. He explained to the class that often, he’ll tell his students to remove their belts, so they don’t know what level the student is beside them.

Medina said that through his relationship with Trejo, he actually acquired much of the skill and techniques that he teaches at the studio.

“So much of what comes out of this school is directly from him, and what he has taught me,” says Medina. “I consider us very blessed that he’s here.”

Trejo’s students, Media continues, really react to what he’s teaching them. “There are instructors and students in there right now and they’re all going to come away learning something from Frank.

Trejo visits Medina Kenpo Karate every year.