TT hosts Kung Fu legend

Shihan Oluyemi Mashama of ASMA, who recently became recognised as the youngest Master and martial artist ever to receive Hall of Fame recognition outside of TT will host the event, which will attract many martial artists from the US and other Caribbean islands.

Within the martial arts circle, Tayari Casel is well-known for having revolutionised the ancient Chinese Art of Kung Fu during his reign in competitions between the mid 1960s and mid 1980s.

Casel, the only Kung Fu practitioner who competed in open tournaments, used the seemingly “soft art” to skillfully and impressively defeat many an opponent, proving that Kung Fu really works as a viable fighting art.

Master Casel is the original “ultimate fighting champion”, defying convention in the rings with his own challenging method of strategically taking his opponents down to the floor before following up with strikes — a method known as “ground-fighting”.

He believes it is important for martial artists of later generations to understand his only opportunity to test out his creative combat techniques was in actual competitions.

In other words there really was no testing environment — no protective gear, no mouth guards, no floor mats, often no rules but a whole lot of politics, racism and resistance to innovators like Casel.

He has truly earned his legendary status. Master Casel’s prestige as a fighter and his superb exhibition of forms and weaponry have earned him compliments from the late great Bruce Lee as well as major recruitment opportunities from renowned martial arts promoter Aaron Banks and silver screen celebrity martial artist Chuck Norris.

One of Casel’s most memorable bouts was in June 1974 against another martial arts great, Soke Lil’ John Davis, a high profile event held by Banks at New York City’s Madison Square Garden and televised on ABC.

Properly titled Oso (Master) Mfundishi (Warrior Priest) Tayari Casel, he will showcase techniques and moves from his signature style of Kung Fu fighting and ground-fighting, plus take participants on a journey through the sleek, captivating African martial art of Kupigana Ngumi complete with the sweet rhythms of African drums in the background – a treat for martial artists and seekers of the cultural experience alike.

Opening the show will be Soke Runako Mashama (formerly Martin Koerts) from New York, a Ninth Degree Black Belt holder. As a master in the Jiu Jitsu discipline, Soke Runako thought it would be great to feature someone expertised in a different discipline such as Kung Fu, and Casel is excited about the chance to communicate with some Caribbean practitioners.