Martial arts fans are in for another treat soon because nine-time world champion Christine Bannon–Rodrigues and her black belt son Dante Rodrigues will be here to teach Cayman Karate Academy students their unique techniques.
Cayman Karate Academy has settled quickly at its new state-of-the-art facility at Best Life Training Centre on Industrial Way.
The facility is perfect for running seminars, with a large workout area and well padded floors and walls.
Cayman Karate Academy students are invited to take part in one – or even two – 90-minute seminars with the special guests at the center on Sept. 27.
“I want to give our students the best training available anywhere in the world,” said Bob Daigle, the academy’s master instructor and a former world champion. “That’s why I asked Christine to teach this new generation the latest karate techniques.”
Bannon–Rodrigues is in the Guinness World Records book for being the only person to win three gold medals in a single world championships, in forms, weapons and fighting, in 1991.
Many in the karate world thought that was a fluke and could never be repeated. The 47-year-old American was so determined to prove the naysayers wrong, she repeated this amazing feat two years later at the WAKO World Championships.
“Christine was here 17 years ago and gave my students the winning edge, not only in competition, but in life,” Daigle said. “She is not just a world karate champion, she builds world champions from the inside out.”
Dante Rodrigues, 17, just returned from the world championships in Italy last week. In his first world championships representing Team USA, he won the gold medal in the 16-18 year old black belt forms division.
“To have a mother and son who are both world champions as our special guests is truly amazing,” Daigle said.
“The confidence gained from training in karate translates to better grades, focus, discipline and a ‘yes I can’ attitude in life.”
Bannon-Rodrigues’s success in martial arts has created many opportunities for her. She is also an actress and one of the top martial arts stunt doubles in Hollywood.
She was the stunt double for Alicia Silverstone’s Bat Girl in the blockbuster movie “Batman and Robin.”
She was also the martial arts stunt double for Hilary Swank in “The Next Karate Kid,” which also starred the legendary Pat “Mr. Miyagi” Morita.
“I remember watching the original ‘Karate Kid’ in 1984 and was inspired to be a karate champion like the character Daniel,” Daigle said.
“After that movie, millions of parents sent their children to train in martial arts schools. It was the lessons taught in that by Mr. Miyagi that got the attention of the parents.”
He added that they realized that martial arts was prefect for their child to gain confidence, focus and how not to get bullied by other children.
“Christine and Dante are great role models for martial arts and our children,” Daigle said.
He has been bringing special guest instructors to Cayman since 1987.
“It always amazes me at the end of the seminar when we have the question and answer session, children don’t ask about what was it like to win the world title. They always ask what was it like to be in the movies.
“But this time I can’t wait to ask what was it like to be on set with the late Morita.”
Daigle said he will be doing something different this time with the duo. The academy is going to give a free introductory karate class to the first 20 people to contact Cayman Karate Academy.
It is for anyone thinking about taking a karate class and would like to try it out. In addition, the first 10 people to register will receive an autographed poster of Bannon-Rodrigues.
Daigle will be running a 30-minute introductory karate class for 4-5 year-olds, a 45-minute class for 6-9 year-olds, and a 45-minute class for 10-15 year-olds.
He added, “Special thanks to the Kensington Management Group for their cash donation, Robert Smith at Dollar & Thrifty Car Rental and Lisa Ebanks of Villas of the Galleon for their support of this event. Without their help, events like this would not be possible.”
Contact [email protected] or call 926-5425 to register for the introductory karate class taught by the two champs.
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