Medina’s Asian Arts

Who is Maestro Medina?

Daniel Medina was born in Brooklyn, New York. Having spent most of his childhood in New York and occasionally Puerto Rico, Dan witnessed many of his friends turn down the wrong path. He was not willing to accept this fate, so at the young age of 17, he joined the U.S. Navy and set out to see the world.

Dan’s military career spanned 22 years and offered him the excitement and knowledge he longed for. During that time he was able to circle the globe 2 ½ times and took every opportunity to explore different countries and cultures. It was early in Dan Medina’s military career that he was introduced to the world of Martial Arts. The U.S. Navy trained him in Combat Judo and the Navy Seal Quick Kill methods. This only served to wet his appetite for the combat martial arts.

In 1974 Puerto Rico was a hot-spot for racial tension and terrorism which spawned constant violent eruptions. The U.S. Navy was called in to assist with anti-terrorism patrols. Dan Medina found himself in the middle of this violent time. In 1978 Medina was stationed in the Philippines – The wild west of the orient. Martial Law was still in effect and trouble was never far away. As a member of the office of the Provost Martial he was assigned to the Philippine Constabulary, now known as the Philippine National Police. The training the Navy provided for this tour of duty was good but Daniel wanted to continue his training. It was during this time that he was introduced to Escrima, and other Filipino martial arts. His training could not come fast or fierce enough for the young Dan Medina as he was putting his skills to the test on a daily basis. Enforcing curfews and subduing violent political agitators were constant occurrences. Duty was dangerous and Dan’s extensive training in joint locks and choke holds was invaluable.

One of the many duties Dan Medina performed was the retrieval of AWL soldiers who had chosen the life of drug dealing and racketeering over their commitment to the military. Dan’s assignment was to bring them back, which was no small duty since these new entrepreneurs were heavily armed and often surrounded by well paid bodyguards. Medina always got his man, although sometimes they weren’t conscious when he returned them to their post.

During his tour of duty in the Philippines, Master Medina studied Karate and joined the Black Masters Sphinx Karate Clan of the Philippines. After achieving his black belt, he went on to study Escrima and Kali. These deadly arts have recently enjoyed some tournament exposure here in the U.S., but in the Philippines they are not considered a sport but rather a way to survive. Often these skills which were taught at an early age were used in real fighting situations. The Filipino people have an extensive martial arts arsenal including many variations of Escrima, Arnis, and Kali; The famous Balisong knife, latiko (the whip), bagakay (wooden dart), espada y daga (sword and dagger), sagasa (kickboxing), sinawali (single and double stick style), Dumog (grappling and submission holds), joint lock styles, and much more.

After returning to the United States, Medina continued his Escrima training under the tutelage of Grand Master Braulio Pedoy. The direct lineage of Derobio Escrima continues thru Master Medina. Dan Medina has also had the honor of learning from the best and is proud to name Masters Ricardo Mendoza, Manny M. de Leon, Dan Inosanto, Narrie Babao and Shihan Ray Barrera as just a few of his illustrious teachers.

Maestro Medina has exchanged ideas and techniques with the likes of Snookie Sanchez, Richard Bustillo, William and Paul DeThouers, Jimmy Tacosa, Ron and Russell Harris, and many others.

Master Medina’s quest for knowledge has taken him to Thailand, Singapore, China, Hawaii and Hong Kong. He currently holds black belt rankings in Black Masters Sphinx Karate , Kyo Kushin Kai, Kun Tao, Swanda Kobudo, Sagasa, Aikido and of course his Derobio in which he is the Regional High Chief Instructor.

Because of his contributions to the martial arts, he has received an honorary Doctorate in Philosophy and was inducted into the International Karate and Kickboxing Hall of Fame in August of 2001. Master Medina has used his extensive martial arts background to train many police departments, flight attendants and pilots after 9/11, and large anti-terrorist organizations including the Department of Energy.

Dan Medina’s accomplishments go beyond what we have listed here but this will give you an understanding of who you are choosing as your instructor.