Teaching the Art of Ed Parker's Kenpo Karate

Mr. Maurice A. Gomez Sr.
3rd Degree Black Belt
Head Instructor

Mr. Maurice Gomez is currently a 3rd degree black belt in the Ed Parker system of Kenpo Karate.  He’s not only trained with many notable black belt instructors in system, but continues to surround himself and his students with a wide variety of Kenpo’s foremost prominent instructors.  Mr. Gomez has proven himself to be an influential and effective martial artist, who has gained the respect of his peers locally, nationally and internationally.  Since childhood, Mr. Gomez has always been influenced and intrigued by the martial arts, especially by Mr. Edmund K. Parker Sr.. Mr. Gomez's initial exposure to the martial arts started with a group called Sam-Pai-Kenpo out of Huntington Beach, CA. Mr. Gomez’s older brother Mike Gomez was great friends and a personal student under head instructor, Sensei John Hunt. However, after meeting and being exposed to Mr. Edmund K. Parker Sr and seeing the magic of Kenpo direct from the “old-man” himself, Mr. Gomez realized that his passion for the martial arts would be a life-long journey and dedicated each day to reading, studying and learning the Ed Parker system of Kenpo.  Over the course of many years, Mr. Gomez has read more than a hundred books and publications pertaining to American Kenpo and various martial arts.  This, in turn, has provided him with a vast knowledge of the martial arts to share with his students.

“I remember seeing Mr. Parker for the 1^st time. I wanted to be like him, there was something about him that intrigued me . . . and something sparked inside. It was the Flame that ignited inside of me…and till this day, the flame still burns”

Kenpo Journey:

1994:    At 15 years old, Mr. Gomez joined Ed Parkers Kenpo Karate School in West Covina, CA under IKKA representatives, Steve Johnson & Charlie Gonzalez in June of 1994.

1995:    Trained in Red Dragon Karate in West Covina, CA under Sensei Michael Ashley.

1996:    After graduating from high school, Mr. Gomez’s training was somewhat more diverse, studying various martial arts such as Tae Kwon Do, boxing as well as Kenpo informally.  This was both a rewarding time and a challenging one.  In order to pay for his martial arts training, as well as his formal education, Mr. Gomez would often compete at local boxing gyms, in the Los Angeles area, sometimes for as little as twenty dollars a bout....if he won.

2002:    At the age of 23, Mr. Gomez went through a series of life altering events and experiencing life in a whole new way. In light of these events, On June 1st 2002, Mr. Gomez decided that it was time to stop dreaming and join the school where history was made and legacys were born which was original world famous Ed Parkers Kenpo Karate studio in Pasadena, CA, headquarters of the IKKA, taking advantage of the their thursday night group sparring class and friday night technique line. It was in this class Mr. Gomez honed his superior fighting skills."I remember the techniques lines & sparring classes like they were yesterday, I was usually the only white belt on the floor while everybody else were upper belts or black belts. Although I had a little previous martial arts experience, those kenpo guys pounded on me like there was no tomorrow, but I kept getting up as they pushed me to limits I never thought was possible....I was always amazed at the speed and power of Kenpo. I learned very early that "To Feel, is the Believe". I couldn't wait till I was good enough like those guys were..." During this time, Mr. Gomez was primarily training under the guidance of Mr. Rich Verdejo, Gigie Alunday & Chief Instructor/Manager Larry Kongaika. It was during this time while refining his logic with Kenpo and expanding his horizons, Mr. Rich Verdejo & Ms. Gigie Alunday also introduced Mr. Gomez to FCS, which is Filipino Combat Systems which consist of Filipino Knife & Stick fighting headed by Tuhon Ray Dionaldo. Mr. Rich Verdejo, Gigie Alunday & Larry Kongaika were one and will always be some of Mr. Gomez's greastest influences in Kenpo.

2004:    Early in  Feb of 2004, sadly the famous  Ed Parker's Kenpo Karate Pasadena school closed its doors, but Mr. Gomez continued to train in American Kenpo under the direction of 8th degree black belt, Mr. Rick Jeffcoat, of Scholar & Warrior Kenpo Karate, training each day there as an orange belt until receiving his green belt. This was a crucial time period, because Mr. Jeffcoat gave Mr. Gomez a solid foundation and helped pave the path of further learning. During this time, Mr. Gomez continued to train with Rich Verdejo & Larry Kongaika privately.

2005:    Later in 2005, as a green belt, Mr. Gomez joined forces with former manager and chief instructor of Ed Parkers Pasadena studio, Mr. Larry Kongaika at MAX Dojo American Kenpo Karate in Diamond Bar, CA. Mr. Gomez became a large part of the MAX Dojo instruction and training and quickly transformed to one of the schools most influential instructors. He taught dozens of men, women and children of all ages helping each one of them realize their potential and accomplish their goals.  Under the guidance of Mr. Kongaika, Maurice went on to great success, as it was Mr. Kongaika who Mr. Gomez credits with instilling the essence of his speed, power & energy.  The harnessing of this speed and power is just one of the many things Mr. Gomez’s Kenpo is most known for. Mr. Gomez greatly benefited from his training with Mr. Kongaika and respected him as a friend and an instructor.

2007:    Converted a portion of his home into an martial arts school teaching Ed Parker’s American Kenpo Karate. Since then, he has continued to teach Kenpo and change the lives of dozens of children, teens and adults who joined his classes.

2008:    On Oct 1st 2008, after completing over 2000+ hours of teaching time, Mr. Gomez’s knowledge both mentally and physically were put to the test as Mr. William Kongaika happily promotes Mr. Gomez to 1^st Degree Black Belt.

2009:    On Sept 26th, 2009 Mr. William Kongaika promotes Mr. Gomez to 2^nd  Degree Black Belt

2011:    Mr. Gomez officially named his private Martial Arts school in Monrovia, "MG Kenpo Academy" and at the same time, the relationship between student and instructor began to take on different paths as Mr. Gomez painstakingly made the decision to discontinue training under Mr. Kongaika's instruction. Realizing the need to refine his skills and study the art in a more in-depth aspect in which Mr. Parker intended it to be, Mr. Gomez joins forces with the Ohana Kenpo Karate Association and is now under the guidance and mentorship of 7th Degree Black Belt, Mr. Rich Hale.

2012:    On Jan 14th, 2012, Mr. Rich Hale promotes Mr. Gomez to 3rd Degree Black Belt.

2012:    Mr. Gomez opens his first commerical school in Duarte, California

Notable Accomplishments

• Multi-time IKC champion as both self-defense and continuous sparring competitor
   
• NBL & SMAA ranked competitor @ various martial art competitions making him one of the most skilled bout/continuous sparring competitors in Southern California.
   
• Captured over 25 1^st place championships in continuous sparring & over 30 1st place championships in self defense
   
• Helped students achieve great success in martial arts competition as well as in the art of American Kenpo.
  
  
• On Jan 14th, 2012, Mr. Gomez raised $1000.00 for the Royal Family Kids Camp after promoting a seminar which featured eight of Kenpos most finest instructors such as Rich Hale, Rick Hughes, Wes Idol, Paul Dye, Bob White, Scott Montoya, Carl Beckle & Robert Temple. The Theme of the event was named "The Power of American Kenpo". This event was definitely an event to remember and will go down as one of Mr. Gomez's most memorable accomplishments.

Mr. Gomez pays his greatest respect and admiration to Grand Master Ed Parker and his skill and insights into Kenpo Karate and the legacy he has left.  He is dedicated to teaching Grand Master Ed Parker's Art in the way he outlined it, which is the way he taught the art to us.

Today, Mr. Gomez intends on making the Parker Kenpo System continue to be the most well known style of Martial Arts in the world. Mr. Gomez has both the authority and ability to promote all who wish to learn the Parker Kenpo System and welcome the sincere and conscientious instructor and student with open arms.

“I’ve tried it all: Hapkido, Tae-kwon-do, Boxing, Kenpo, wrestling, Filipino arts and anything else that came to my door-step. I can't help but look at all of these systems with an analytical eye, thanks to Kenpo, and I'm grateful for this. This allows me to perfect the movements and tailor it accordingly to my needs.”

“The Martial Arts is a journey that cannot be limited to a single style. It's like a musician learning only one type of music and not broadening its knowledge in other styles...”