Pittsburg, CA – In a shocking turn of events, a local martial arts dojo became the scene of an unexpected and violent confrontation on the night of December 5, 2023. Kyoshi John Felipe, a seasoned martial artist with 39 years of experience and the owner of a well-respected dojo in Pittsburg, CA, recounted the incident.
Felipe, who began his martial arts journey in 1984 inspired by the iconic film “Karate Kid” and mentored by Sensei Alan Dollar in Traditional Uechi Ryu Karate, has dedicated his life to teaching self-defense and instilling values of respect, self-discipline, and self-control in his students. His dojo has been a cornerstone of the Pittsburg community for 29 years, nurturing countless students and promoting a safe and positive environment.
However, this sanctuary of learning and discipline was disrupted when instructors, black belts, and a student from another local martial arts school attacked an adult member of Felipe’s dojo. The new student, who had been training for just three months, was blindsided by this unprovoked act of violence. Felipe expressed his shock and dismay at the incident, noting that such behavior is entirely contrary to the principles of martial arts. Here is the comment he provided after our request:
“I’ve been training in the Martial Arts for 39 years. I’ve had my school 29 years in Pittsburg, CA. I got into karate during the same time Karate Kid came out, 1984. I was bullied and beaten many times in elementary school and that’s how I got into Karate at a small little dojo Downtown Antioch with Sensei Alan Dollar that taught Traditional Uechi Ryu Karate from Okinawa. I found my passion and learned defensive skills, that gave me the courage to stand up for my rights and to avoid bullying. Bullying comes in many forms i.e. pushing, taunting, verbally, physically, and now cyberbullying and happens in many places i.e. at home, school, businesses, work, stores …. etc. Violence and fighting were always my last resort as a true Martial Artist. Avoiding conflicts by deescalating, talking is the first step that I teach my students. The purpose of karate training is to discipline the mind and body and to master the art of self-defense. As a Martial Artist, I teach and live by the code of Respect, Self-Discipline, Self-Control. I’ve taught thousands of students that have gone through our program and became successful in their field. I have old students that became parents and now their children are training with us. I’ve been a staple in Pittsburg, helping to keep kids off the streets, teaching them values and giving them a positive and nurturing environment.
We had an incident in my studio after our adult class Tuesday night, 12/5/2023. I was so blindsided and never expected this act of violence to come into my studio, to jump an adult member of ours that just started training with us 3 months ago. The individuals that attacked were Instructors, Black Belts and a student from another local Martial Art school in our town. I didn’t know the reason for this altercation, but the truth of it all is, that it never should have been taken up to this level of violence. This is not the Martial Arts way. NO Martial Arts school should do this. We DO NOT condone violence and/or bullying and it needs to stop!
All of my friends and acquaintance in the Martial Arts world, teach and train with the same values as I do. There are enough students to go around and as a Martial Arts studio, I’m doing my part to help mold our new generation to be successful for their future and I support all our local studios that teach the same values so we can have a better world to live in.
It’s sad to say, the Cobra Kai days still exist. No pun intended. I’m sharing this experience to help and make our community and my fellow Martial Arts studio owners, to be aware that this could happen to you, to anyone, anytime, anywhere. I want to put a stop to violence and bullying all together. We have worked to hard to create the safe community that we live in and we need to ban together to keep it this way!”
Warning Graphic contents and profanity. Watch at your discretion.
The incident has sparked a wave of concern and solidarity within the local martial arts community. Mr. Felipe, known for his advocacy in keeping youth away from the streets and providing a nurturing environment, emphasized that such acts of violence are contrary to the essence of martial arts.