Dedicating his life to honoring

Hanshi Tadashi Yamashita and preserving the

Yamashita Shorin Ryu - Kobudo - Suikendo systems

at the highest level.

Sensei Armando Anselmo

His martial arts began when he was four years old. Having lots of energy and a penchant for "getting into things" his father thought it best to introduce him to karate. Always trying to be the best, he liked to push himself physically and mentally. His karate training consumed most of his time. One other very important thing his father introduced to him would turn out to be very important later in his life, action movies, specifically martial arts action movies. Seeing ninja fly from tree to tree and how they moved would stay in his mind for years.

When he wasn't training his daily life was difficult in Mexico. Often left to care for his two younger sisters for days, he found himself playing the role of an adult at the age of ten. The stress and responsibility was great. Once again he found his training to be a healthy release and a source of inspiration. His instructors admired his dedication and commitment even more when they realized "little Armando" was taking a two hour bus ride on his own in order to train karate three days a week. While he prioritized his martial arts training through the years, many of his friends fell prey to the dangers and entrapments of "the street." Not that Sensei was immune to a "prank" now and then, he did manage to stay clear of the street life that claimed so many of his friends.

Even though he excelled in karate - Shito Ryu Sensei Armando was intrigued by the speed and agility of the Tae Kwon Do Style of kicking. He began training and excelled quickly. He enjoyed the challenges of complicated board breaking combinations and rapid kicks. His success in tournament competition really started to show off his talents. However, a bigger challenge was coming.

In 1994 Sensei Armando moved to the United States. Not speaking English, it was a difficult and intimidating transition. However, he never stopped training and continued to believe there was always more to learn. Knowing martial arts was his life's passion; he wanted to learn more about the business of running a dojo. He began teaching Tae Kwon Do in a dojo in Oceanside, California. He wasn't paid much, but did learn about instruction and business. And he met new martial arts contacts.

Teaching Shorin Ryu, the style that he felt most comfortable, he started with just a handful of students. Within a short period of time his business grew. Now, it was not just his presence at tournaments that garnered attention, but his students as well. Sensei Armando's insistence on focus, discipline and attention to detail was the inspiration to the dojo's name, Champion Eyes.   Without even knowing the dojo, people from other states could pick out the "Champion Eyes" kids just by seeing the clean moves, total focus, and exceptional crisp look. While his reputation and Champion Eyes flourished he still thought of the childhood action movies.

One movie stood out more so than the others. It was the memory of a particular martial artist that changed everything. That movie was, The Octagon, starring Tadashi Yamashita. He distinctly remembered how Hanshi Yamashita moved, different from all others. It was Shorin Ryu, but different. Having trained consecutively for over thirty years, Sensei Armando now recognized Hanshi Yamashita possessed all that he admired and longed to learn. He was about to achieve a huge goal.

In 2004 Sensei Armando was given the privilege to train with world renowned Hanshi Tadashi Yamashita. Instantly, he knew Hanshi Yamashita and the Yamashita Shorin Ryu was at the heart of his passion. His training had always been intense, but now, he's voracious in his desire to learn. His greatest achievement to date is not a tournament win or world title; it is the honor given to him by Hanshi Yamashita to be a licensed instructor / dojo of Yamashita Shorin Ryu. Sensei Armando remains humble and profoundly grateful for the ability to train with the world's best. The knowledge gained from his training, he readily passes on to his students. In passing on the art he is careful to maintain the highest of standards and expects his students to honor the same loyalty and commitment he readily gives Hanshi Yamashita. It is Sensei Armando's dream to continue his physical and spiritual training with Hanshi Yamashita for years to come and to pass the art of Yamashita Shorin Ryu on to his students for future generations.