Black belt finally opens Smith Mountain Lake studio

LAURIE EDWARDS | Laker Weekly

Rikk Perez (right) leads a children's traditional kenpo karate class at his studio, Perez Kenpo Karate, which opened in mid-May at Lake Centre Business Complex.

Rikk Perez was certain 2007 was going to be a good year. The fifth-degree black belt in traditional kenpo karate was inducted into two martial arts halls of fame. He owned Perez Kenpo Karate, a successful studio in Vinton, and planned to open a second studio in Moneta by the end of the year.

Then in October 2007, Perez was struck by an SUV while riding his motorcycle.

"The doctor said my martial arts career was over," said Perez. "It was devastating news."

Two weeks after the wreck, he was teaching classes at his Vinton studio, Perez Kenpo Karate, from a wheelchair.

"I was determined," said Perez. "I started using martial arts as therapy."

Within five months, he was walking. Now he's made good on his plan to open a studio at the lake. In mid-May, he opened Perez Kenpo Karate at Lake Centre Business Complex, across Virginia 122 from the Bird & Stanley law office.

Perez holds a fifth-degree black belt in traditional kenpo karate, second degree in Hawaiian kenpo and first degree in American kenpo. He's also completed apprenticeships in grappling and Muay Thai. At his studio, Perez only teaches traditional kenpo.

"My style is not an easy style," he said. "We have such a wide, vast curriculum with over 30 self-defense moves per belt and multiple attacks."

Perez said the curriculum includes self defense, weaponry, weapons defense, rape prevention, grappling, boxing and tai chi.

In addition to traditional classroom instruction, Perez includes environmental training. Students will practice in the parking lot or in tight spaces. Perez may create a real-world environment such as a club or bar inside the studio, complete with strobe lights, music, tables and chairs, so students can learn how to maneuver in real-world situations.

"I put them in the worst situation possible so they can come out ahead," said Perez. "My students love that."

He sometimes asks students to come to class in street clothes so they can practice the moves in clothing they would be wearing if they were attacked outside the classroom.

His teachings have come in handy on more than one occasion. A few years ago, someone tried to molest one of his students at school, he said. The 13-year-old girl broke the boy's nose and arm and escaped unscathed.

Perez said he also teaches students how to use everyday items such as newspapers and magazines as self-defense weapons. Perez also teaches students how to avoid altercations.

Perez offers two classes, one for children and one for adults ages 12 and older, three nights a week at his Moneta studio.

Perez Kenpo Karate, 13455 Booker T. Washington Highway, Suite 104, Moneta. 793-4408. perezkenpokarate.com