Izzy Sakamoto tells us what it’s all about while representing on West Cliff today.
Kaijin has its roots in the rich and long lasting martial arts community of Santa Cruz. That makes us, by dint of both tradition and the people who make up Kaijin, members of the greater Santa Cruz community. And it has been a hard month for Santa Cruz. The most recent tragedy of the killing of two of Santa Cruz’s own police officers, following hard on the killing of Kaijin’s own Pauly Silva, has left us in need of our community, our family, like never before. Kaijin is all about family. Yes, we have champions and fighters on our mats. We are serious about what we do, which is to teach the martial arts. Technique, character, fighting spirit, but at the core of it all is family. And the sad actions of yesterday remind us just how important family really is.
Kaijin would like to extend it’s sincerest condolences to the family members of the slain SCPD officers and to the police officers who are members of the Kaijin family.
a lot of bad things have happened in the last month but for me and my family the constant bright spot has been Kaijin mma. I would like to say thanks to the whole Kaijin family especially Garth, Sam and coach Jeremy. You have helped transform my daughter Maddision in to a confident and out going young lady thanks again.
My sincere sympathies to the families, friends and fellow officers of the two Santa Cruz police officers killed in the line of duty on Tuesday 2/26/13. Such a terrible tragedy added to the loss of our Kaijin family member Pauly, is heartbreaking to my family and I. We are proud to be a part of such an amazing martial arts family and take great solice in the fact we know they are always there for us. Many thanks to coach Garth, Jay, Luke and Sam. You guys are so wonderful. Our daughter Madison adores you all as do we. A special note of thanks and gratitude to Sue, who is now working the front desk. She is a fabulous addition to Kaijin and also a friend. Much love to you all!!
I feel very blessed to be a part of the Kaijin family. It feels good to work and train with such a positive force in the community. I extend my deepest sympathies to the friends and family of Pauly Silva and also the SCPD officers we lost on tuesday. Sue is great! It’s awesome to see Madison on the mat so often and thanks Garth for holding it all together! To everyone that has been there from the beginning and to all our new members thanks for making Kaijin such an awesome place to train.