Raptor-chan
07-09-2009, 02:02 AM
Forty years ago, Chris Casamassa began learning martial arts under the condition that he couldn't quit until he reached his black belt.
This condition came from his father, Louis, who has a black belt in 10 different martial arts styles.
"I learned at a very young age about commitment and dedication and sticking to something," said Casamassa, now president/CEO of Red Dragon Karate. "My father told me that I could quit once I got to black belt, but I was hooked, so I really never wanted to stop."
Since he got his start, the 44-year-old eighth-degree black belt has become an actor and instructor, and helps run the family business — Red Dragon Karate, which has 15 studios in Southern California, including locations in Hacienda Heights, San Dimas, Azusa, Diamond Bar, La Verne and West Covina.
For four years, Casamassa, who is an instructor at the Glendora Red Dragon, was the top competitor in North America for the North American Sport Karate Association. He has retired from the professional circuit.
This is also where he was recruited for his first appearance on the big screen as a background extra for "The Karate Kid," which made its debut in 1984.
From this, he branched out, most notably for his role as "Scorpion" in "Mortal Kombat," "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation," and as George Clooney's stunt double in "Batman & Robin."
"Now I do maybe do one film a year because I'm helping my dad run our company and it's kind of a full-time job, which I love," he said. "I'm married and I have kids now, so I can't be traveling all over the world." According to Casamassa, he's set to start filming the third Mortal Kombat film in September.
His father also founded the American Karate Kung Fu Federation, opening his first studio in Covina in 1972.
"He fell in love with the martial arts," Casamassa said. "He never really liked just one style, but he liked things from different styles. I call him the Michelangelo of martial arts. He took things that he learned from different styles, put them all together and created Red Dragon Karate."
This includes Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Aikido, Kung Fu and Thai Kickboxing.
For Casamassa, who started learning martial arts at 4 years old, teaching was a natural progression.
"You have to love what you do (to teach). There's people that try and get in it for the money, and that nonsense shows through," said Casamassa, whose students call him Shihan, a title reserved for those a seventh degree black belt or higher. "If you generally have a passion for the martial arts and you like sharing that, then that comes across to the people."
San Dimas resident Tricia Barron signed up her son, Kennedy, for karate a year ago and has seen a notable difference in his attitude.
"I wanted to get him involved in something. I thought it would be good to put him in karate because at this age, he can't focus well. I also wanted him to get some confidence because he's on the shyer side," she said.
Casamassa said although the kids are learning about self-defense while exercising and getting in shape, the curriculum is also centered around good grades, and principles such as discipline, courtesy, honor and integrity.
"It teaches the kids discipline. Now, my daughter wants to go everyday. She wants to go an hour early. She wants to practice. She walks around with her nunchucks," said Lisa McClure, who practices at the Via Verde location in San Dimas along with her daughter, 12-year-old Brooke.
McClure, who's a yellow belt, is in the Black Belt Club with her daughter, a blue belt. The club is made up of a group of people who are dedicated to obtaining their black belts.
"I like it a lot. It's a lot of fun. It kind of brings out confidence," McClure said. "I know how to defend myself a lot better than when I started."
Casamassa's kids, ages 5 and 8, also take karate, and he made the same deal with them — that if they chose to start, they cannot stop until they reach black belt.
"They're learning history and culture while learning skills and techniques that could one day save their lives," Casamassa said.
Courtesy: Kotaku, SGV Tribune via FirstShowing
Cool! I loved the first two movies (have them on DVD) and I hope this comes out.
This condition came from his father, Louis, who has a black belt in 10 different martial arts styles.
"I learned at a very young age about commitment and dedication and sticking to something," said Casamassa, now president/CEO of Red Dragon Karate. "My father told me that I could quit once I got to black belt, but I was hooked, so I really never wanted to stop."
Since he got his start, the 44-year-old eighth-degree black belt has become an actor and instructor, and helps run the family business — Red Dragon Karate, which has 15 studios in Southern California, including locations in Hacienda Heights, San Dimas, Azusa, Diamond Bar, La Verne and West Covina.
For four years, Casamassa, who is an instructor at the Glendora Red Dragon, was the top competitor in North America for the North American Sport Karate Association. He has retired from the professional circuit.
This is also where he was recruited for his first appearance on the big screen as a background extra for "The Karate Kid," which made its debut in 1984.
From this, he branched out, most notably for his role as "Scorpion" in "Mortal Kombat," "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation," and as George Clooney's stunt double in "Batman & Robin."
"Now I do maybe do one film a year because I'm helping my dad run our company and it's kind of a full-time job, which I love," he said. "I'm married and I have kids now, so I can't be traveling all over the world." According to Casamassa, he's set to start filming the third Mortal Kombat film in September.
His father also founded the American Karate Kung Fu Federation, opening his first studio in Covina in 1972.
"He fell in love with the martial arts," Casamassa said. "He never really liked just one style, but he liked things from different styles. I call him the Michelangelo of martial arts. He took things that he learned from different styles, put them all together and created Red Dragon Karate."
This includes Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Aikido, Kung Fu and Thai Kickboxing.
For Casamassa, who started learning martial arts at 4 years old, teaching was a natural progression.
"You have to love what you do (to teach). There's people that try and get in it for the money, and that nonsense shows through," said Casamassa, whose students call him Shihan, a title reserved for those a seventh degree black belt or higher. "If you generally have a passion for the martial arts and you like sharing that, then that comes across to the people."
San Dimas resident Tricia Barron signed up her son, Kennedy, for karate a year ago and has seen a notable difference in his attitude.
"I wanted to get him involved in something. I thought it would be good to put him in karate because at this age, he can't focus well. I also wanted him to get some confidence because he's on the shyer side," she said.
Casamassa said although the kids are learning about self-defense while exercising and getting in shape, the curriculum is also centered around good grades, and principles such as discipline, courtesy, honor and integrity.
"It teaches the kids discipline. Now, my daughter wants to go everyday. She wants to go an hour early. She wants to practice. She walks around with her nunchucks," said Lisa McClure, who practices at the Via Verde location in San Dimas along with her daughter, 12-year-old Brooke.
McClure, who's a yellow belt, is in the Black Belt Club with her daughter, a blue belt. The club is made up of a group of people who are dedicated to obtaining their black belts.
"I like it a lot. It's a lot of fun. It kind of brings out confidence," McClure said. "I know how to defend myself a lot better than when I started."
Casamassa's kids, ages 5 and 8, also take karate, and he made the same deal with them — that if they chose to start, they cannot stop until they reach black belt.
"They're learning history and culture while learning skills and techniques that could one day save their lives," Casamassa said.
Courtesy: Kotaku, SGV Tribune via FirstShowing
Cool! I loved the first two movies (have them on DVD) and I hope this comes out.