Lucky students at Schleeter’s Academy of Martial Arts in
Hollister received some special instruction from a special guest on
Saturday.
Lucky students at Schleeter’s Academy of Martial Arts in Hollister received some special instruction from a special guest on Saturday.
Frank Shamrock, the five-time undefeated UFC World champion, demonstrated various martial arts techniques and self defense moves to about 30 people who came to watch the session that lasted about two hours.
While most of the students were from Hollister, there were a handful from the sister club in San Francisco. There were even a couple students from New York and one from Los Angeles who made the trip.
“He’s not like a household word like Joe Montana would be,” said academy owner and head instructor Patrick Schleeter. “Anyone who knows martial arts, especially mixed martial arts knows Frank is a legend. He is one of the best fighters in the world.”
After the session, Schleeter invited his students and Shamrock over to his house for a barbeque. And after the barbeque, they practiced in his backyard some of things they learned until late in the evening.
“He is a total fighter, but yet he comes to small town Hollister and is willing to come here and then hang out,” said assistant trainer and student Vince Trojia. “He is a normal guy but doesn’t let the big celebrity status go to his head.”
Shamrock is a three-time Black Belt Magazine’s Full Contact Fighter of the Year. He holds two world records for championship victories in full contact fighting.
Shamrock is no stranger to Hollywood. He had a recurring role starring along side martial arts icon Chuck Norris in the hit CBS series “Walker, Texas Ranger,” acting and choreographing fight scenes. He also appeared on the HBO series “Oz.”
In addition to his experiences in entertainment, Shamrock created SODCS, (Science of Officer Defense and Criminal Submission), a system designed to equip law enforcement, corrections and military personnel with the ground skills required for hand-to-hand combat.
“He’s not a classic martial artist, so everyone was wearing just shirts and shorts,” Schleeter said.
The session this year focused on kickboxing and on techniques both immediately before and after the takedown.
Shamrock, who came to the studio last year, plans to next each year, Schleeter said.
When Schleeter, 39, is not busy whipping his students into shape, he is helping them master the language as an English teacher at San Benito High School.
He is beginning his 17th year at the school, and after one of the teachers recently accepted a job elsewhere, he steps into the senior roll on the staff.
Schleeter has a fourth-degree blackbelt in Farang Hapkido and is testing for his third-degree blackbelt in Farang Mu Sul. The two styles he teaches incorporate weapons and sparring techniques with joint locks and ground techniques.
The academy, which just celebrated its 15-year anniversary in December, started out tucked away in the San Benito High wrestling room.
It has been in its upstairs San Benito Street location above Hallmark for six years. Schleeter will be hosting his first tournament in Hollister in November.
For more information on the academy, go to webnetsystems.com/schleeters.
