Joe Gonzales
the united states olympic team
Sensei Joe Gonzales of Ageless Martial Art is now top 6 of fighters that will be going for the spot for the United States Olympic team. Sensei Lorenzo and his black belt are nothing but proud of him. He has worked for many years to get to this point to make it to this level. According USOC records he is now top 6 of the fighters in the United States, and we are proud to see him grow.
This screen shot was taken from the USOC tournament bracket for TEAM USA Karate.
Sensei Lorenzo saids,
” This is a huge honor for our Dojo. I honestly didn’t think I would ever have another one of our black belt competing once again on the highest level possible. Yet, here we are. I guess I blame myself because there was a point in my career that I wanted to produce some of the best karate fighters in the world. I instilled the competitive edge early on in my teaching career as a Sensei and I would have never thought anyone would have such a strong desire to give the USA Team another shot through us. However I cannot just credit myself, there were many other schools that prepared Joe for this, and I gave him the passion and the desire to make it this far. He’s also checking on me telling me is wins and journeys and I told him the path of a champion was and how to get there. Which he really did actually follow it! I am deeply humbled and honored he continues to talk to me for guidance and teaching”.
Sensei Lorenzo also wants to thank the following schools for Joe Gonzales success. More recently Joane Orbon (-61kg) of of United Bay Area Karate Club. Who has taken over the majority of his coaching.
Huge shout out to
Regikai Karate
Kevin Funakoshi
John Fonseca and Elisa Au
Tokey Hill Martial Arts
Sensei Lorenzo continues,
“Joe Started as a white belt with us, i sold him the dream. He was very athletic and at the time I as obsessed with proving I was a capable teacher in the WKF and NKF arena. here’s a video with him with Tokey Hill who was the first World Champion for the United States in 1980. Tokey, or Shihan Hill, (Grand Master) was the head coach of the karate team and one of the most successful coaches in the karate circuit for nearly 2 decades. His daughter Ashley Hill being a multiple time gold medalist, and producing Billy Finnegan and creating one of the best coaching programs for the USA karate team we know today. Christina Muccini-Finegan, Hills top coaches now is one of the top head coaches for Team USA Karate.
Joe here showing his hook kick in his early years with Tokey Hill well on the path to greatness, and since I record everything it been up for nearly 7 years ago. ”
We are very lucky to have him at our dojo learning martial arts Las Vegas in our karate school.
Olympic Karate
Karate is a traditional martial art that originated in Okinawa, Japan, and has since spread throughout the world as a popular form of self-defense, physical exercise, and competitive sport. In recent years, karate has gained increased recognition and exposure as an Olympic sport.
Karate was first introduced as a demonstration sport in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, but it was not until the 2020 Tokyo Olympics that it became an official Olympic sport. Karate in the Olympics is divided into two categories: kata and kumite. Kata is a solo demonstration of a series of karate techniques, while kumite is a sparring match between two karate practitioners.
The inclusion of karate in the Olympics is a significant milestone for the sport, as it provides an opportunity for karate athletes from all over the world to showcase their skills on a global stage. Moreover, the Olympic recognition has also helped to increase the popularity of karate as a martial art, and has given the sport more visibility and credibility.
Karate is a martial art that emphasizes the development of physical and mental discipline, as well as self-defense techniques. The practice of karate involves a wide range of techniques such as striking, kicking, blocking, and grappling, and it requires a high level of physical fitness, coordination, and agility.
Beyond the physical benefits, karate also promotes mental and emotional well-being. It helps practitioners to develop focus, concentration, and self-control, and encourages them to cultivate positive values such as respect, humility, and perseverance.
In conclusion, the inclusion of karate in the Olympics is a significant achievement for the sport and its practitioners. As a martial art, karate has much to offer, including physical fitness, self-defense skills, and mental and emotional development. The Olympic recognition of karate will continue to help promote the sport, and inspire future generations to take up the practice of this ancient art.
Karate Schools in Las Vegas
Sometimes I am a pretty over dramatic person at times and I created this video of Joe Black belt test not knowing he would potentially be one of the greats in Karate. Since I have a landscape photography business I tend to sometimes incorporate m videos in nature and shots around some of the most beautiful parts on the county. Its made creating the video cinematic and fun for my martial arts students. You can check out Sensei Lorenzo’s Landscape photography prints here, www.thewanderingsensei.com.
Good luck to you champ! Make Ageless Proud! You’ll always be a good black belt in my book. I’m I gave him a stepping stone to his incredible journey.
-Sensei Lorenzo