I needed a change -- an immediate and drastic change. It came to the point where joining the military was my best choice. I was forced to quickly change my ways and attitudes toward myself, others and life. Years later, martial arts training reinforced everything I had learned and helped me develop even further.

Today, I'm a Grand Master (10th degree black belt), Head of the Isshin Shorin Ji Ryu Okinawa Te System and among the most knowledgeable masters alive in the martial arts field. I have earned this distinction from my peers and scores of other well-recognized masters after over forty-five years of practice, study and teaching the martial arts to thousands of students.

I started my career in the martial arts in 1963 under the guidance of Grand Master Don Nagel - the master credited with introducing Isshinryu Karate to the United States. I became a dedicated student who worked out seven days a week. During the latter part of 1966, I utilized every opportunity to train under the Master of Isshinryu Karate, Tatsuo Shimabuko.

Well known for my outstanding tournament participation and fair judging, in 1966, I began my teaching career as a Ni-dan (2nd degree black belt). In 1967, I converted from Isshinryu to the system Isshin Shorin Ji Ryu Okinawa Te. Although my roots were in Isshinryu, I had taken a greater interest in Isshin Shorin Ji Ryu, because it offered more opportunities and advantages as it allows students to fully assimilate the broadened scope of knowledge and techniques of the system.

In 1970, as a 4th degree black belt, I became a staff instructor of Karate International and by 1971 earned the position of regional supervisor.

In 1972, with permission from my instructor, I opened my own school in Woodbridge, New Jersey teaching both children and adults, starting at the age of four. The growth of both the Junior and Senior classes created the need for more room, and as a result I moved the school first to Avenel and then, in 1983, to its present location in West Carteret, where I continue to teach karate with the expertise and knowledge gained from years of experience.

Because I have reaped the many, many, many great rewards of martial arts training, I have always felt an intense desire to give something back by sharing with others the secrets to success that I have learned during my forty-five plus years of martial arts training. I have accomplished this goal primarily by teaching thousands of young children, adolescents, teens and adults. It gives me great pride, joy and satisfaction to see others learn, grow and develop through their practice of the martial arts.

Throughout my many years of teaching the martial arts, I have made a positive impact on my students and black belts. Many students and black belts at Chirico's School of Karate have become champions in karate-winning state, regional and national championships, as well as other tournaments throughout the United States. Under my guidance many of our students have chosen to enter a professional field and become successful not only in the art of karate, but also in life.

To Become a Champion
in Martial Arts and in Life