By RAUL GARCIA | Close Combat Magazine
Close Combat Magazine caught up with Gualberto Moncayo, and here is what he had to say about his martial arts experience.
Q: What is your full name?
A: Gualberto Moncayo
Q: What karate school do you attend?
A: My mother school is in Mercedes Texas, the Gaylord Texas Kajukenbo
Q: What karate style do you practice?
A: Kajukenbo Gaylord Method and Ching Tao Kenpo Karate
Q: What belt rank are you currently?
A: 8 Degree Black Belt
How old are you?
A: 47
Q: What martial arts associations are you affiliated with?
A: Kajukenbo Association of America and World Professional Martial Arts
Q: How did you get into Karate, and what can you remember from your first time training?
A: I started in Taekwondo in 1980, then I went to Kung fu and later I got to kenpo karate and kajukenbo, those times were hard because there were no soft floors, on the contrary the falls were hard and the training too, but we got used to it Over the years
Q: Who have you been training with lately and what’s have you been working on?
A: I have been under the gaylord method for 13 years now, in recent years I have traveled to the United States to train privately with Grandmaster Armando Saldana, who is my only technical teacher today, I participate in seminars and events of other styles
Q: What have you been doing to get a better edge when it comes to fighting?
A: At my age I am already retired from tournaments, now I train
for the street, I do my daily exercises to maintain my health
Q: What’s your all time favorite Karate movie and why?
A: Bloodsport
Q: What do you enjoy most about practicing karate, or you martial arts style?
A: Since I started I enjoy every day of everything that practice, discipline, respect and above all the possibility of meeting friends all over the world gives me.
Q: Growing up who was your favorite martial arts movie star?
A: There were several …. starting with bruce lee, Chuck Norris and Jean Claude Van Damme
Q: Tell us about your karate master and school?
A: My teacher is a noble person, who teaches with his heart, he has taught me all the secrets of traditional practice, his base was great teachers
Q: Do you have a preferred weapon of choice?
A: The katana
Q: What do you like most about karate?
A: The discipline
Q: Do you have a signature karate move?
A: I like everything, before I liked kicking exercises
Q: How long have you been doing karate training?
A: Daily karate is my life
Q: How’s your favorite Ninja Turtle?
A: Leonardo
Q: Did you ever stop your karate training, and why?
A: Yes a few months ago I had to stop because they replaced one of my hips.
Q: Tell us about your success in karate tournaments?
A: I competed in almost all the circuits, in South America, I was also world champion in Europe, and until recently I competed in , Texas and Las Vegas
Q: What is your goal in martial arts?
A: Without a doubt it is to promote in my academy the traditional Gaylord method
Q: Tell us about your favorite memory of your karate experience?
A: In 2018, while in Texas, I decided to take a bus to attend the annual Kajukenbo event in Las Vegas, I traveled from McAllen to Las Vegas, passing through many cities in the United States, without a doubt it was the most amazing experience of my life, 2 days traveling one way and 2 days back.
Q: Have you done any special training with famous karate personalities, or who would you like to train with?
A: I had many, the most important personality with whom I trained was my teacher Armando Saldana who, in addition to being a great master of martial arts, is also a music star in South Texas
Q: Who is your favorite comic book super hero?
A: Superman
Q: What else do you enjoy doing other than karate?
A: In my country I was a professional soldier, bodyguard and an instructor in the police
Q: What is your favorite TV Show?
A: The mentalist
What is your favorite food?
A: A good Argentine barbecue
Q: What is your favorite song?
A: Always on my Mind by Elvis Presley