The Miguel Nico Quijano Interview
Conducted by Paul Bax

Michael Quijano, was born and raised in New York (Oct. 18th, 1963).  He has studied with GM Lou Angel, GM Ramon Nunez, GM Manny Calo and many others in the art of Goju-ryu Karate which obtained an 8th Degree Black Belt. He eventually went on to study Ving Tsun under GM Moy Yat (also GM Moy Bah Hugh) and has studied with GM Victor Koo (under Wong Shun Leung) reaching master status under both lineages. He has lived, fought and trained in thailand for over 5 years as a professional muay thai fighter amassing some province belts. He has also fought here in the states. He was also a budhist monk while living in thailand for a period and remains very close with the thai community. He went on to study many other systems and has received ranking in each (Kenpo, Arnis de Mano- Bienvenido Fernando, Escrima-Jose Mendoza, Aiki-jujutsu, BJJ).  Dissastified with organizations and the way the arts were put up on pedastals, he continued to search for the truth. He eventually went on to develop a system called "Jissen-kai Aiki-Jujutsu" which he mostly taught to soldiers.  Mike speaks english, thai and spanish.
 
Through his friendship with Greglon Lee he has gotten to meet and train with many masters including Greglon who has remained a true friend for over 16 years! Mike has trained with: Sonny Umpad, Wally Jay, Patrick Strong, Octavio Quintero, Peter Urban, Ric Pascetta, James Thornton, Gus Spencer (boxing), Ralph Duran (Boxing), Coban Lukchamaesaitong, Boonkerd, Kru Vut, Saeksan Janjira, Kru Khamtan, Kru Sith, Kru Dan Chai, Kru Paulo Tocha, Vagner Bueno-Capoeira, Jeff Langton,etc. Mike has trained with Juan De Dios in the afro cuban/afro rican art of "El Juego de Mani" and "Calinda". He is the only recognized Master of this art in the U.S. Mike has an older muay thai video out on the market called "Total Muay Thai" with his brother Chadeth Chantanao (an over-view of the system). Mike has conducted many seminars throughout the states and has worked with many champions.
 
Eventually, Mike went on to train with Chris Sutton and through Chris's friendship he was introduced to Jesse Glover. Since then Mike has been a loyal student and proponent of Non-Classical Gung Fu.
 
Mike has worked in films (acting and fight choreagraphy) such as: Bone shakers, Deadly Bet, Maximum Force and many others. He has also taught for many Executive protection firms and has also been employed as an Executive Body Guard through West Coast enterprises. Mike has 13 years active duty Army experience and is now working as a police officer.  Mike is dilegently working on a book about his life and his studies. He now resides in Mountain View California.
 
Mike can be reached at: michaelquijano1@hotmail.com

When and how did you first start your training in martial arts?
Miguel Nico Quijano: First, before we get started I would like to thank you for this opportunity, but not only for me, but for this opportunity to shed light on some really great men.
Growing up in the Bronx New York and also in Camden New Jersey, the areas were very tough. I had to fight almost every day of my life: on the way to school, on the way home, to the store, etc. Later as I progressed in the martial arts, it became kind of a fight club kind of thing, where we fighting in the park near the school all the time. Constantly fighting other people in other systems all the time. It was no joke. I’m talking about fighting in the slums of New York and New Jersey. I started in USA Goju-ryu under Peter Urban, Ronald Van Clief, Lou Angel, Manny Calo, Ric Pascetta, etc. Because Urban studied Goju and Kyukushinkai, our style was based on “knock down karate”. Then later I also studied with Shigeru Oyama in Kyukushinkai. Then later I studied Ving Tsun with Grand Master Moy Bah Hugh under Moy Yat. Eventually I did train with Moy Yat as well, but I am Sifu Moy Bah Hugh’s student. I have also studied Ving Tsun with Sifu Victor Koo (who is under Wong Shun Leung) who is also a long time friend of mine. These are all great instructors. Then I went on to study Muay Thai in Thailand for over five years.

How did you first hear about Bruce Lee and his art of Jeet Kune Do?
MQ: I was just a kid, but he was out in the Green Hornet show, Wrecking Crew and then his movies. I was in awe of him and his physical abilities. This was the late 60’s and early 70’s.

What was it about JKD that led you away from traditional martial arts?
MQ: The freedom, to really analyze, what I was learning at that point in my life. Many people adhere to systems unwilling to change. Look at Ving Tsun. Yip Man changed the forms many times and techniques. Ving Tsun allows freedom and is based on concepts. But many people are afraid to change with the times and are afraid of real research. Wally Jay once told me that great men go against tradition by adding to it. Change your style and techniques. Make them better.

JKD has gone through a lot of phases over the years due to different theories on how the art should be taught. Were you ever a student of “JKD Concepts”?
MQ: You know, honestly, people should have the freedom to interpret what they have learnt in any manner that they want as long as they really have a strong foundation in the art. I don’t really consider myself a student of JKD or a concepts person. Yes, it is true, that Greglon Lee, Patrick Strong, Howard Williams have shared things with me, but I don’t consider myself a true student of JKD. This would do these instructors a big disservice to their name and honor. We are friends. We share info. Howard doesn’t like to teach anymore. But he has shared so much just through talking and hanging out. Howard and I have not worked out together. Greglon Lee has shared many techniques with me as well as Patrick Strong. These guys are phenomenal in their own right. I am honored to be their friend. My goal is not to chase certification. My goal is to better myself, my family and my students.

Explain your training under Jesse Glover.
MQ: Now we are talking. Jesse is probably has had the strongest Impact in my life. He is so down to earth and realistic. Plus, he can honestly make it work. Whatever he shows you will work then and now. I consider him my teacher, friend and like a father to me. Jesse pushes you to your limits and encourages you to find what works for you. His way of teaching overlaps into everything that you do in life. I still find myself going back to my notes and reflecting on the things that he said and showed me. I just hope one day that I could have a quarter of his skill. He is in his seventies right now and he moves with such explosiveness and power, that it leaves you believing that this gentleman can truly do some damage.
A lot of people also forget Jesse’s background of Judo. He was truly a champion of judo competition. Plus, a lot of the things that he learnt in judo and training concepts overlapped into his Non-classical Gung Fu. This is only natural that someone brings in their own experiences. But you must not forget that he experimented with a lot of stuff to find out what worked and what didn’t. Jesse is truly a great instructor.

What are some of the finer points of his, “Non-Classical Gung Fu”?