Action Martial Arts Magazine Trade Show 2012

Adult martial artists who take self-defense training and combatives seriously had ample opportunity to meet some of the country’s best self-defense and combatives experts and watch them demonstrate their self-defense techniques at the Action Martial Arts Magazine Hall of Honors Trade Show Saturday at the Tropicana Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The gloomy, gray skies and drizzle did not deter hundreds from attending.

Here are just a few highlights from the day’s events….

Grandmaster John Pelligrini, founder and president of the International Combat Hapkido Federation, demonstrated once again why Combat Hapkido is such an effective reality-based martial art.

He pointed out that martial arts must always be based on common sense. Common sense tells you that even the best self-defense techniques will not work on occasion. The problem of failure will always be with us. Sometimes it is the fault of the martial artist. Sometimes it is the skill of your opponent. Sometimes it is circumstances beyond your control that thwart the execution of a technique.

Regardless, each technique must be designed so that there is a Plan B, that is, an alternate technique that will flow more or less naturally from the failed technique. GM Pelligrini, for example, addressed this issue with respect to the basic straight-arm bar technique.

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Soke Michael DiPasquale also gave an excellent demonstration illustrating the importance of joint-manipulation techniques as a means of controlling and ultimately defeating your attacker. Soke DiPasquale continues to be an advocate for Dr. Philip A. DeFina’s International Brain Research Foundation, Inc. Indeed, his booth served to bring attention not to himself but to the fine work done by Dr. DeFina.

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Shihan Gary Alexander, founder of the International Association of Martial Arts/Artists and Black Belt Hall of Famer, explained his version of combat karate. Among other useful points, he warned, as do so many experienced martial artists, about the dangers of going to the ground. He said that you want to put your attacker on the ground before he does the same to you.

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Hanshi George Alexander has moved his headquarters to Philmont, New York. Be on the lookout for his August 2012 Martial Arts Summer Camp.

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Phil Morris, who starred in the original (and best ever) Mission Impossible series was on hand, looking trim, fit and acting like a real gentlemanly class act.

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Hank Garrett, the famous actor and comedian, whose performance as Officer Nicholson on Car 54, Where Are You? was unforgettable, was at the show and celebrating more than 50 years as an active martial artist. Like Soke Michael DiPasquale, he is also active in helping veterans.

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Stay tuned as Adult Martial Artist offers more breaking-news stories from the Action Martial Arts Magazine’s Hall of Honors Trade Show.