User:Karateswan/Future Leaders Eagle Karate

Birth - Respect, Love, Honesty, Humility: the creed that defines Future Leaders Eagle Karate. In the year 1998, Future Leaders Eagle Karate was born under the Jamaica Karate Club both founded by Sensei Patrick Chang, born Gunvoon Chang in Kwantung (Guangdung) Province, China when he decided it was time to open his own karate organization after years of other organization affiliation. The name Future Leaders Eagle was symbolically chosen as a representation of his aspiration for anyone who seeks to train with him, “Future Leaders”; the “Eagle” representing strength, freedom and transcendence. For over a decade, 24 Parkington Plaza was headquarters and home to hundreds of FLEK students and instructors. These instructors are the foundation students who excelled and grew with Sensei Patrick from as we call it “backyard days”. '''Journey of a True Sensei (Teacher)  The FLEK Story   We Call Him Friend -''' Father, teacher, friend, mentor, master, humanitarian are all titles given to Sensei Patrick Chang by his students and almost anyone who come into contact with him. He was not just a teacher of karate but a teacher of life. Sensei Patrick is one of the bravest, most kind hearted, hard working and most humble of men. The Future Leaders Eagle Karate School (FLEK) was founded by this great man in the year 1997, right in his backyard.

The Escape -

‘Gunvoon’ Chang was born in Kwantung Province, China on 19th January, 1947 and later moved to St. Ann, Jamaica at age 4. He journeyed with his mother Joyce and two older Siblings, June and Robert Chang to flee the famine of China, hoping for a better life. His father died back in China. In Jamaica he received his Jamaican citizenship and English name, Patrick to better blend in with his new pairs. Underdog As a Chinese boy growing up in Jamaica, Patrick had a warm time with his mostly Black pairs who stereo typically were supposedly physically superior to the Asian minority. As a result he was always tried by them. However, a bold Patrick would always stand up for himself and so decided to learn the martial arts (Art of War). He began his boxing training at age 12 in the late fifty’s (50’s) with a coach nearby his home. Patrick soon became very skilled as he was a quick learner. He quickly developed a ferocious reputation in the streets, defender of the underdogs, defeating many opponents daring enough to pick a fight with him. Patrick continued his boxing training for several years but never entered a mainstream competition as his humble goal was street defense.

Open Hand Art - Martial Arts became a fascination of Patrick’s and he read many books on the various art forms such as Kung-fu, Jiu-jitsu, Tae-kwon do and of course Karate etc. In his early 20’s he proceeded to participate in karate classes for two years with Kyokushin Karate School, back then the only karate school in Jamaica. A combination of his reading and practical lessons made him become very knowledgeable and skilled in karate (the open hand art) which uses the hands and feet of the body to execute diverse strikes.

Off Spring In the early 1980’s Patrick then attended lessons with Seido Karate School which soon became popular in Jamaica. By this time he was living in Kingston and had sprung a total of thirteen children and decided to take the youngest six to these Seido Karate lessons. Between backyard training sessions by dad and seido class lessons it was no surprise that his off springs excelled quickly in the martial art. Their training began and they soon moved up in belt levels passing their grading exams. They also competed in local martial arts tournaments from which they won several trophies and became phenomenal performers.

With Dad As the years went by, life leade the five oldest on different paths while Patrick’s youngest at the time, Tsitsi continued her karate journey with Dad. They both stemmed off from Seido Karate to join with Fellow Karatica, Sensei Tai-loy and developing the First Jamaica Zen-Do Kai Kan Karate system in the early 90’s. Here Tsitsi at age 15 graded for her 1st Degree Black Belt to become Sempai, a title which means senior student. Later she would proceed in gaining a record of fifteen times Grand Championship holder and the title Miss Jamaica Body Fitness 2006.

Promotion - Throughout his martial arts life, it did not interest Patrick to grade for belts; he found joy in simply practicing the art and passing on his knowledge. Sensei Tai-loy decided this was not right and insisted on Patrick’s promotion to Black Belt. Patrick finally agreed to take the grading examination gaining his 1st Degree Black Belt and was later promoted to 2nd Degree Black Belt gaining the title of Sensei, which means teacher or instructor. Backyard Days Sensei Patrick Chang began teaching karate and self-defense in his backyard to whomever was interested to learn, including then youngest daughter, Danielle who started karate at age 5, 1996. He took in many youths of his community and treated them like family. He was strict when it came on to training, very focused and no-nonsense. Everyone feared him inside the dojo (training area). Outside the dojo however, he was most kind-hearted and easy going. Training sessions were always tough but the start to a delicious winding down supper cooked up by Sensei followed by storytelling time. His words of wisdom would always inspire his students along with his humble soul.

Birth - Respect, Love, Honesty, Humility: the creed that defines Future Leaders Eagle Karate. In the year 1998, Future Leaders Eagle Karate was born under the Jamaica Karate Club both founded by Sensei Patrick Chang when he decided it was time to open his own karate organization. The name Future Leaders Eagle was symbolically chosen as a representation of his aspiration for anyone who seeks to train with him, “Future Leaders”; the “Eagle” representing strength, freedom and transcendence. For over a decade, 24 Parkington Plaza was headquarters and home to hundreds of FLEK students and instructors. These instructors are the foundation students who excelled and grew with Sensei Patrick from as we call it “backyard days”.

Operation FLEK - The Jamaica Karate Club FLEK Organization was operated by then 3rd Degree Black Belt, Manager and Senior Instructor Sensei Tsitsi Chang. The organization grew into becoming the largest karate school in Jamaica and the champion school in local tournaments year after year. Sensei Patrick had a successful partnership with various prep, primary and high schools, resulting the opportunity for many youths to learn self-defense, self-discipline and gain self-confidence. This, while keeping physically fit, practicing a sport they enjoy and grow to love. To name a few, these schools included: Holy Childhood Prep, Half Way Tree Primary, Jessie Ripoll Primary, Alpha Infant School, St. Hugh’s High School, Calabar High School, Excelsior Primary and High School etc.

Family Affair - Over the years FLEK has accumulated a total of almost two hundred black belts ranging from ages 7 to 50 including Sensei Patrick’s two youngest daughters five years apart, Sempai Danielle Chang 2nd Degree Black Belt and Sempai Ashley Chang 1st Degree Black Belt; a family affair indeed. Sempai Ashley became Junior Kata Champion of her age division in local tournaments while Sempai Danielle dominated as the Female Black Belt Junior Champion in hers. JCMAT - Later in 2008 to present, Sempai Danielle went on to represent Jamaica internationally on Jamaica’s Combined Martial Arts Team (JCMAT) alongside Sensei Sheckema Cunningham, 3rd Degree Black Belt and one of FLEK’s founding members and Senior Instructors. Founding members, Sempai Dwayne Vassiana and Sempai Ricardo Lewis also represented Jamaica on the JCMA Team. All four FLEK members of the JCMAT have travelled internationally to places in the United States as well as, Vietnam, New Zealand, Cyprus, Argentina, Italy, Trinidad etc. They have all done well over the years winning either gold, silver and/or bronze medals in these championships abroad.

Home In Us - The beauty of Future Leaders Eagle Karate is that we do not discriminate against demographics of people as our leader and chief instructor would be highly disappointed. We strongly stand by our Jamaican motto ‘Out of Many, One People’ and so, we embrace the human race, both children and adults alike all sizes, shapes and forms no matter their home address. Just as Sensei Patrick made his students his family, we will continue this tradition so our members may find a home in us.

For more on F.L.E.K. visit www.facebook.com/JamaicaKarateClub or Instagram us @jamaicakarateclub