by The People’s Minister of Information JR
At the tender age of 15, Tamia Hooker is not in the streets chasing boys; she is at the Delta One Martial Arts studio throwing punches and kicks while sparring. In a relatively short time, she has achieved Black Belt status in Kajukenbo. Now she is aimed at becoming a teenage martial arts teacher in Antioch. Check out this rising martial arts star in her own words …
M.O.I. JR: What martial art do you practice? When did you become interested in martial arts?
Tamia: The martial art I practice is called Kajukenbo. It’s a hybrid martial art that combines Western boxing, Judo, Jujitsu and Kung Fu. I’ve always thought martial arts was interesting, but as a small child around the age of 3 I started practicing. When I turned 13, that’s when I really started to take it serious.
M.O.I. JR: When did you decide you wanted to be a black belt?
Tamia: I didn’t have to decide; it was something for me that was automatic. I’ve always admired my instructor and how he teaches our classes. I knew I wanted to be just like him, an instructor and a role model. Now that I’m a black belt, I’m being trained to teach the younger classes, ages 5-9.
The martial art I practice is called Kajukenbo. It’s a hybrid martial art that combines Western boxing, Judo, Jujitsu and Kung Fu.
M.O.I. JR: How long did it take you and how much work was it? How much do you train every week?
Tamia: It took one year to prepare for my black belt. It was really hard work and it took a lot of dedication. I trained four days a week with a total of about 12 hours per week. My weekends were spent running several miles and tons of boot camp training.
M.O.I. JR: Now that you’re a black belt, what do you want to do next with martial arts?
Tamia: I’m a natural born leader, so I think that I’m going to focus on becoming an instructor and advancing my belt to the highest degree possible. My instructor is a 4th degree black belt, I won’t stop until I have earned the title of Simu Tamia – the title given when you are a teacher – and can work hard and earn all the degrees of black belts as my instructor has.
M.O.I. JR: Do you want to master other martial arts? Which ones?
Tamia: Yes. I would like to master Kenpo Karate. It is a system of martial arts characterized by the use of quick moves in rapid fire. Although Kajukenbo has jujitsu in it, I would like to also learn more about that martial art. It consists of grappling – or wrestling – and striking. I also would like to be more competitive and participate in local tournaments.
My instructor is a 4th degree black belt, I won’t stop until I have earned the title of Simu Tamia – the title given when you are a teacher – and can work hard and earn all the degrees of black belts as my instructor has.
M.O.I. JR: Where do you practice?
Tamia: I attend Delta One Martial Arts in Antioch, Calif., under the instruction of Sifu Tim Calvin.
The People’s Minister of Information JR is associate editor of the Bay View, author of “Block Reportin’” and filmmaker of “Operation Small Axe” and “Block Reportin’ 101,” available, along with many more interviews, at www.blockreportradio.com. He also hosts two weekly shows on KPFA 94.1 FM and kpfa.org: The Morning Mix every Wednesday, 8-9 a.m., and The Block Report every Friday night-Saturday morning, midnight-2 a.m. He can be reached at blockreportradio@gmail.com.
