The World Jeet Kune Do Federation was born of the idea to bring the authentic teachings of Bruce Lee to the public in a way that was unprededented. The way we invisioned was on a massive scale where no one was excluded, more teachers were trained, and real JKD would be availalbe in every corner of the world. To make this possible boundries had to be broken, technology had to be developed, and prejudice and ignorance had to be disbursed. When JKD was developed Bruce Lee had to break down many barriers just to be able to teach at his schools. For us to take the lead in a martial art system that was taken over since the death of Bruce Lee by infighting between instructors and students would certainly be a painful and daunting task. Our founder Sifu (teacher) Carter Hargrave felt that since he had been given so much from Lee's teachings that he would spearhead the effort to do the seemingly impossible, bring authentic original JKD to general public on a global scale, and at the same time try to "be like water" and spread calm and understanding in the arts teachers and students. "Jeet Kune Do should be the most popular martial art in the world, and if I have my way it will be." (WJKDF President Carter Hargrave)
Hargrave
received multiple martial arts system training from instructors located
throughout the United States, and currently holds black belts in seven styles. In 1993 he received the
Instructor of the Year award for his teaching in the
art of Jeet Kune Do, the style founded by Bruce Lee,
and was also inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of
Fame. In 1995 Hargrave was the youngest person to be
promoted Professor of martial arts, and he received
the Instructor of the Year award for his teaching in
Karate. In 1996 he received the award for Best Martial
Arts School in the United States, and was recognized
by U.S. Congress, the United States Senate, and the
Governor of Oklahoma for this achievement.
Hargrave holds instructor / black belt level rankings
in Kempo Karate, Kung Fu, Goshin Jutsu, Jeet Kune Do,
Aiki Jitsu, Tae Kwon Do, and Escrima, as well as the
author of three martial arts books, two on Japanese
Kempo Karate and The Original Jeet Kune Do Training
Manual which contain Bruce Lee's techniques from the
Oakland and Los Angeles schools.. Hargrave is the founder
of the style known as American Combat kempo which he
introduced in 1992, and in 2000 was presented the International
Founders Award by Dr. E.A. Moore (President of the World
Martial Arts hall of Fame) for the defense system. This
system is used by the United States Marines as the basis
for their training since 2000. Hargrave has been inducted
into numerous martial arts hall of fame's and was Grandmaster
of the Year in the United States Martial Arts Hall of
Fame.
G.W Dill Presenting
Professor Hargrave with Outstanding Jeet Kune Do Instructor
of the Year Award
Martial
Arts Resume:
First Martial Arts Training in 1968 with Hanshi
Lou Angel in Goju Karate
Authored Original Jeet Kune Do Training Manual
Second Generation Jeet Kune Do Instructor
Certified JKD Instructor 1992, Jeet Kune Do Association
Founding Board Member 1992, Jeet Kune Do Association
Authored Combat Martial Arts Kempo Karate Manual
1993
G.W Dill Presenting Professor Hargrave with Outstanding
Jeet Kune Do Instructor of the Year Award See
Photo
Instructor of the Year JKD, World Martial Arts Hall
of Fame, Presented by G. W. Dill and Jeet Kune Do
Association See
Certificate -- Photo
Certified JKD Instructor FJKD Association 1993 See
Certificate
Certified Black Belt Aiki Jitsu, Promoted Dr. Farenelli
-- See
Certificate
Certified National College of Martial Arts, Instructor
JKD, Black Belt Bushido Kempo, Black Belt Aiki Jitsu,
Certified Lou Angel and G. W. Dill -- See
Certificate
Executive Director World Jeet Kune Do Federation
1992
Certified Black Belt 2nd Dan Kempo, Promoted by
Toma Soke Okinawa and Japan, and Rod Sacharnoski --
See
Certificate
Certified Black Belt 2nd Dan Jujitsu, Promoted by
Toma Soke Okinawa and Japan, and Rod Sacharnoski --
See
Certificate
Certified Black Belt 3nd Dan Kempo, Promoted by
Toma Soke Okinawa and Japan, and Rod Sacharnoski --
See
Certificate
Certified Black Belt 3rd Dan Jujitsu, Promoted by
Toma Soke Okinawa and Japan, and Rod Sacharnoski --
See
Certificate
Executive Director American Combat Kempo Association
1992
Certified Sifu Kung Fu 4th Degree Black Sash
Certified 4th Dan Black Belt Aiki Jujitsu
Instructor Headmaster Juko Kai Kokusai Remnei 1994
Certified 3rd Dan Black Belt Goshin Jutsu
Combat Martial Arts system featured on local newscasts.
1995
Awarded Karate Instructor of the Year, Inducted
Martial Arts Hall of Fame 1995
Certified Shihan 5th Dan Kempo World Certified Instructor,
Promoted by Dr. E. A Moore, Prof. Thomas Burdine,
Prof. John Willaims, Prof. Ed Gross, Prof. Ray Gunther,
Prof. Pelligrini. -- See
Certificate
Certified Professor of Martial Arts 1995
Appointed Executive Director World Martial Arts
Hall of Fame Board Member 1995 -- See
Certificate
Appointed a Director United Kung Fu Federation of
North America 1995 -- See
Certificate
Certified Professor 7th Dan Kempo Ryu Karate. --
See
Certificate
Certified Professor 7th Dan Combat Kempo Karate,
American Kenpo Bu-Jutsu Karate -- See
Certificate
Awarded Governors Comendation for best martial arts
school -- See
Certificate
Certified Hanshi 8th Dan Kempo Ryu Karate, 2000
-- See
Certificate
Released Top Selling Original JKD Training and Ranking
Video Series
Certified Soke Head Founder of a new Martial Art
Style. Father of Combat Martial Arts. 2000 Certified
by World Martial Arts Hall of Fame Sokeship Council,
Board of Directors. -- See
Certificate
Certified 10th Dan Kempo -- Multiple Certificates
Released American Combat kempo Training and Ranking
Videos
Director World Kempo Association.
JKD Division Director World Budo Alliance
Certified Master Instructor Romania JKD Association
Inducted United States Martial Arts Association
Hall of Fame 2001
Grandmaster of the Year United States Martial Arts
Association. 2001 -- See
Certificate
World Budo Alliance Grading Board Chairman
World Soke Council Member
Chief Instructor Air Martial Anti Terrorist Flight
Crew Training
Developed system adapted for training United States
Marines
Member of many martial arts associations, federations,
and organizations, also many organizations cerfifying
the same ranks. This is a work in progress over the
years. For the Masters and Grandmasters we may have
left out we only have the greatest amount of love
and respect and we hope to add everyone.
Professor Hargrave Demonstrating Sparring manuevers
1. Side Kick 2. Front snap kick to throat
Video Clip of Professor teaching how to enter when fighting. (Video from class session)
JKD is a combat modified Gung Fu (Kung Fu) system designed
by Bruce Lee to eliminate the effectiveness of other
martial arts in a fight. It is made up with elements
from Wing Chun kung fu, American Boxing, and French
Fencing for the footwork aspects.
Are there any other arts in JKD
No. Lee studied various systems to find weaknesses
he could exploit. So if he was taking a lesson in, or
working with another teacher that was what he was up
to.
Is JKD a style, Lee always said JKD was not
a style in his books to the public.
JKD is a style. This is in print in the training manuals
that were available only to his personal students; in
it he states "Style of Jeet Kune Do", not
to mention on his grave marker it says founder of Jeet
Kune Do.
Do you have proof of this and do you have a
copy.
Yes
Is JKD the most effective style for self defense
It is definably at the top of the list for sure. JKD
was the first mixed martial art, but it was organized
unlike what you see today. It takes discipline to learn
as it is so far away from the thinking of most martial
art styles that we have come in contact with. Its great
for small people and you don't have to be strong to
be effective.
You have to have prior martial arts experience
to do Jeet Kune Do
No not at all. Actually as a teacher it is easier for
me because I don't have to correct bad habits. Also
you don't have to be in great shape to start.
Can you use it in tournaments
JKD has no rules. It does not translate well to the
ring. We do whatever it takes to win. So you would get
disqualified pretty quickly.
Why isn't there JKD schools on every corner
like tae kwon do.
That is the big question isn't it. The most effective
martial art from the most famous martial artist. It
should be shouldn't it. Basically it comes down to the
ugly side of human nature. You have ego and you have
greed and you have envy. All of these things have reared
their head in Jeet Kune Do. The original students of
Lee could not get along with one another nor with the
family. There are exceptions of course, but the failures
are many and could have been avoided for the good of
the art and out of respect of the founder. Our goal
was to change all of that and avoid the fighting and
politics for the good of the art and the founder. We
have done a good job so far. We get attacked by those
same people that kept the art down, but we always take
the higher road and stay out of the in fighting.
Are there uniforms in JKD
No. Although Lee usually wore a Kung Fu uniform.
Are there rank belts in JKD
No.
Are there rankings in JKD
Yes. Lee had a rank system of levels 1,2,3 and rumored
to have a level 4
Did Bruce Lee issue Rank Certificates
Yes
Can you learn JKD from a book.
That is very hard, probably the hardest method of all.
Why are there so few JKD teachers
Bruce Lee had very few students in his 3 different
schools.
Is there only one JKD
No there is two. You have the original that we teach,
and you have what is called JKD Concepts which is mainly
Filipino arts.
Is one better than the other
We get this question quite a bit. The original is what
Lee taught, Concepts is related but does not have to
be what Lee taught. I like to answer like this since
I have training in Filipino arts as well. Original is
what Lee taught and Concepts is not. One is no better
that the other just different.
Bruce Lee taught for free why do you charge
money
Bruce Lee was one of the highest paid martial art teachers
to date. He did not teach for free and in the 1970's
he charged $1000 for an hour long private lesson. In
today's money that would be what.... a new car.
Why did Bruce Lee order his schools closed.
He came home from filming a movie and witnessed one
of his classes and he did not recognize any of the techniques
being taught as JKD. He order all of them closed. There
were other issues involved but this remained in the
forefront.
How many schools did he have.
Three schools, Seattle, Oakland and Los Angeles.
In Dragon the Bruce Lee Story he was hurt in
a fight is that true.
No. He hurt his back lifting weights. Gotta love the
movies.
Why is there so much controversy in JKD
Bruce Lee was a very philosophical man with many sides
and many contradictions. He had a public face and a
private face that his private students witnessed. While
I think he would be dismayed at his students lack of
compassion toward one another, he would rather enjoy
the confusion that keeps people thinking about martial
arts. Its my hope that his 1st generation students the
will make amends.
Do you support any kind of regulation or oversite
in the martial arts?
Yes. Today there is so much misrepresentation of rankings
and skills that I fully support governmental regulation
of the martial arts systems and styles.
Do you get allot of questions and emails
Yes. We get around 400 emails each day. Its very hard
to get through. We get many questions, people thanking
us for what we have done. Some are from those who love
our program and the way we teach. Then you have those
who hate us for bringing JKD to the public.
Is being the president of the WJKDF all you
do or do you have a regular job.
I am a full time martial arts teacher. So I teach exclusive
private lessons and I am also head of the World Kempo
Karate Association.
From your resume it looks like you have several
black belts. How many do you have.
I have seven black belt level certifications.
Seven Black Belts,? No way, you would have
to be a hundred years old to do that. That's impossible.
Well I like doing the impossible. You noticed my earlier
answer that I am a full time martial artist. Well I
was a full time martial art student doing at least four
arts at the same time. I do not recommend this for anyone.
It was probably the most difficult way of learning.
Most cannot do it as you have to keep the systems completely
separate to pass your tests. We have also placed links
to where you can see some of the certificates. This
is the first time any Grandmaster has ever put their
credentials online for all to see. Hey mabe I will start
a trend.
I see you are a founder of a martial arts style
American Combat Kempo also known as Combat Martial Arts
. There seems to be more and more founders out there,
what makes your system stand out.
Well yes I am the Grandmaster of a new combat system.
The thing that I feel makes my system so outstanding
is that there is actually something new, not just some
master taking two or three systems and patching them
together and abra cadabra its a new style and they call
themselves Grandmaster. I brought the old and the new
together, changed the philosophy one hundred eighty
degrees, added a new approach to defense, then invented
new techniques that my system alone has. Many of the
philosophies are very radical and I took some heat from
the established masters on what I was teaching, why
I was teaching it, and how it was being presented. Its
also the only system I know of that allows under black
belts to fully train with weapons, and black belts to
advance must be proficient with various firearms, and
a select few with fully automatic weapons.
Ok you have taken a giant step forward with
your system in the self defense world. What would keep
someone from taking your system and adding or changing
a few things and they are Grandmaster of a new style?
Unlike founders in the past, my system is fully documented
and copyrighted in multiple ways so it belongs to me,
although I can license or allow governmental agencies
certain privileges.
Why doesn't the WJKDF have a Forum or Chat
area.
Many companies have found, most recently Apple Computer,
that these forums are a breeding ground for bad behavior,
slandering people they have never met or know nothing
about, lies and misinformation that do nothing to help
those interested in legitimate information. Have you seen some of the pictures of internet posters? Its like they are all fat and out of shape. Guys that burning orb in the sky is the Sun. Get moving and go outside.
You have taken a lot of heat over the years
when you said that JKD was made of only three styles,
and that it was an actual style with specific techniques.
Now the Bruce Lee Family has released confirmation
to the fact that you were correct. How does this make
you feel.
Its always good to be right. But what good is it if
no one knows it or agrees. Now everyone knows we were
right all along. We have always tried to stay true to
the founders teachings.
Unlike Sifu Hargrave why are so many teachers in JKD fat and out of shape.
I believe in setting a good example by staying in fighting shape and working out . My guess is they spend too much time on the internet and not enough time moving. Martial Arts are moving meditation. Maybe they forgot that part.
What is the future of JKD
The WJDKF has been on the cutting edge of teaching.
Our DVD training program has been so much more successful
than I imagined. The test videos that I receive are
of such high skill quality even from those who have
had no training. We have taken allot of heat for offering
instruction in this manner, but I have taught more students
than any other teacher in the history of Jeet Kune Do,
and it works. You would not believe all of the letters
and emails thanking me for what we have done that has
changed their lives, and empowered them and their families.
That makes you feel good that you are helping so many
people that otherwise would not have been helped.
" My heartfelt thanks to
all the instructors and students who have made my goals
and dreams possible.
No one man achieves great things alone. God bless".
