Personal Information
Where were you born?
I was born in the town of Santiago de Compostela (Galicia), Spain on August 10, 1962. When I was 7 years old, we moved to Puerto Rico because all our family was from Puerto Rico.
Family members involved in Tang Soo Do:
Today, I run the Black Belt Fitness Center - Hangar 18 along with my wife, Miriam Hernandez who currently holds the rank of E Dan. I am blessed with my 4 daughters who share my passion for the art. Andrea Zaragoza (E Dan) is planning to test for Sam Dan in October of 2008. Sofía Del Mar Zaragoza is an E Dan while Lorena Zaragoza and Mirianee Zaragoza are Cho Dan Bo. Both Lorena and Mirianee are planning to test for Cho Dan in October of 2008.
Master Zaragoza and his family.
Profession or trade outside of Tang Soo Do:
I currently own a dairy farm in Hatillo, Puerto Rico.
List your academic accomplishments, military service:
I have a BA in Animal Health (veterinary technician) and 3 years in Doctorate in veterinary medicine.
Martial Arts Career
When, where and why you started Tang Soo Do?
In 1989, I started training in Tang Soo Do with Master Carmelo Rivera and I changed from a Japanese style of Kyokushin kai.
What were your first impressions when you started and how have they
changed?
My first impression was the organization of the World Tang Soo Do Association and I thought I knew a lot about martial arts but when I joined WTSDA, I realized how much I could learn and how much I needed to learn. What has changed? Well for starter I improve 200% in all aspects in my training, especially in the techniques that I have improved. I am now a better person through my training, the way I live and how I teach my students.
Notable accomplishments in the martial arts field?
I spent a lot of years competing, and in the process won many medals, recognitions and trophies including several Regional champion trophies. There are many accomplishments that I’m proud including having my whole family sharing my passion for the art. My greater achievement was last year when I was promoted to the rank of Master, which was a lifelong dream, in front of all the people who are special to me - my wife, daughters and my Region 18 family.
Master Zaragoza receiving his Master promotion from Grandmaster Shin at the Region 18 Championship in Aruba.
Some of my accomplishments from the World Tournaments are: 1994 (2 gold medals) 1996 (1 silver), 1998 (2 golds and 1 bronze), 2000 (2 silver and 1 bronze), 2002 (2 gold and 1 bronze). In Regional Tournaments I was Grand Champion from 1993 to 1998.
But none of them are as great as when my students shine of their own. As instructors we have a complete range of types of students; we can have great students (some of them are star students) who learn the techniques on the first time without effort and excel on their own. We call them “naturals”, sometime we have good students that with a little push become great students. But the majority of the time we have the average student that have to work really hard to stay competitive with the better students. These students may lack self esteem or don’t believe they are good enough or they don’t have the “natural” ability to do martial arts. In my years of experience, these types of student become the best teachers and are more likely to reach their goals in life. They put their mind to their goals because they have to work really hard in order to win or be recognized. Simply, they learn the hard way how to be the best that they can be. I always tell to them “you always win if you do your best, if you can do that…you are already a winner”. And finally you have the “hard student”, “the less gifted”, and sometimes the problem children. This student you sometimes have to teach them the difference between right and left. These students are hard to teach because they have a hard time staying in one place, following orders, listening…and all instructor have had this kind of student at one time. These types of student are a challenge that I enjoy because they help me improve my skills and my black belts' skill as a good instructors.
A good example of my accomplishments as instructor was in July 2006 during the World Tang Soo Do Championships. I had only 7 students competing and representing the Black Belt Fitness Center. They worked really hard; dedicate a lot of additional hours to their training to have a good representation. It was not easy but in the end it was worth it. These students show me that if you put a lot of effort and dedication to your goal you will always have good results - in this case excellent! These 7 students brought back 17 medals in their respective categories, including a tie for the Seniors Woman Gup Cup by Limaris Taboa and the 2006 Male Dan Grand Champion Cup won by Mr. Carlos Gil. With these accomplishments they showed the World that in the little Island of Puerto Rico we have great students and have the power to become one of the best Regions. They demonstrated the results of hard work and showed me that I’m doing the right things and gave me a good reason to continue what I’m doing.
This is a great accomplishment for me especially the great feeling that I’m part of a greater good and that I can help people, friends, families, my community and my country through something I love - Tang Soo Do.
Master Zaragoza and his students at the 2006 World Championship in Anaheim, CA.
Tang Soo Do Career
What was your master's thesis on?
My Master’s thesis was based on the development of children with Down's Syndrome and their training. I believe that there has to be equality and fairness for everyone to learn. I understand that we must adapt our techniques to anyone.
Who are some of your role models in and out of WTSDA?
My role models within the WTSDA are Master Carmelo Rivera (in combat) and Master Efraín Valentin (in hyung). Outside of WTSDA is Masutatsu Oyama (founder of kyokushinkai).
Why do you continue to train and serve in the
WTSDA?
When I started training in WTSDA, I realized that it was a very complete style and very organized. It is their life philosophy which has taught me much in the martial arts. I still have a long path to undertake but I swear to continue until I obtain the spiritual peace that we strive for.
What is your favorite Hyung and/or weapon and why?
My favorite hyung is Jang Gum Hyung. This hyung teaches us to be part of our weapon. It’s a hyung that you must practice day after day until you feel that your sword is part of your body, mind and spirit. You will then understand that as you begin to dominate the sword, you will also dominate your body and your mind.
Difference between when you first started training
and today?
When I began martial arts, the way of training, practices and teaching were harder than today but without logic or guidance. We trained recklessly without thinking of injuries. We train like the people in the old movies to harden our bodies and take them to the extremes. There was no place anyone but the strong or the people who could take the punishment. Since I joined WTSDA, I began to understand the true meaning of practice and exercising intelligently. I learned how to teach all kinds of students and make them better people and better practitioners without the punishment I had to endure. I learned that Tang Soo Do is for everyone and for any age, no matter their physical limitation. We can adapt our teaching methods in order to help and teach everyone.
Students from Black Belt Fitness Center - Hanger 18.
Advice/Words of Wisdom:
Youth, teen and/or adult martial artist:
Teen: The way of the life is not easy, you will encounter many obstacles that you will have to win or overcome, and your spirit will let you to obtain your goals. Always maintain a healthy body and your spirit will be indomitable. Tang Soo Do is a way of life in which you are always fortifying your self-esteem and your spirit.
Adult: The long years of dedication and training will turn your body into the temple for your spirit. While you take care of that spirit, it becomes an indomitable spirit who finishes what it set out to do.
- Be the one that never quits.
- Be the one that becomes an example for the others.
- Be the one that becomes the teacher.
Teaching tips or ways you make classes more exciting:
A martial arts class must be full of mystery. I never give advance notice to my students what I have planned. Always try to keep the class moving with action to keep student's interest. The class must have challenges at all levels and the instructor must demonstrate it. This gains the student's respect and admiration and interest towards their instructor or teacher.
Personal comments and your goals for future?
Future Goals include to continue training in Tang Soo Do and continue supporting the growth of Tang Soo Do in the Caribbean with the support of all our WTSDA brothers.
When I began Tang Soo Do it was new to Puerto Rico but the WTSDA took us little by little and turned us into martial artists who are well organized on the island of Puerto Rico. I believe we still have a long way to explore but the difference between then and today is very great and very interesting. It is like when a baby begins to crawl and then he grows and develops until he learns to run very fast.
Tang Soo!
