From London to Hollywood he is known worldwide for his incredible kicking ability. The former World All Styles Martial Arts Champion and current movie star is widely considered to be the best exponent of martial arts kicks amongst his peers. Simply the best!

10th Dan Karate Black Belt and founder of the TY-GA and London International Martial Arts Hall Of Fame in Great Britain, Gary Wasniewski has appeared on the front cover of 20 world martial arts magazines and been honoured with awards from all the major World Halls of Fame.

How Did He Begin and Where Has It Got Him?

Grandmaster Gary first began his martial arts journey in 1966 after reading a martial arts book from the USA. This gave him the interest, love and passion to take up martial arts to become the well known phenomenon that he is today. At 55 years of age Gary still trains every day without fail, teaching his incredible abilities to students worldwide.

Most people find it hard to pronounce Gary’s surname. He will raise his leg high to your face, hold it there, then with his foot spell it for you tapping each letter on your nose. These skills have led Gary to become a Hollywood movie star with 2 films to this date (Thunderkick and The Kill Factor “Thunderkick 2”) with another in the pipeline later this year.

Integration of All Styles

Gary’s TY-GA system not only encompasses his original style of Karate, but also integrates the teaching of freestyle Kickboxing, Ju-Jitsu, Kung Fu and Tae Kwon Do. He believes that all styles of martial arts should be respected and accepted by all styles, with no one system thinking they are the best. Grandmaster Gary has no time for politics in martial arts and has a goal to promote the great teachings of martial arts globally. This way of thinking and years of worldwide travelling and meeting some of the world’s greatest exponents of martial arts, led Gary to begin The London Martial Arts Hall Of Fame in 2006. Unity under one roof!

Kicking Guns off the Street

In 2009 Grandmaster Gary Wasniewski was invited by high ranking politicians in Washington DC USA to help in the campaign to get young students to pledge against using weapons and acts of violence towards others.

Due to his work with politicians in the USA, Gary has also been asked to become actively involved in similar campaigns in Great Britain. A great cause to be involved with, something that I myself am actively involved with also. Hats off to you and wish you great success in these ventures.

The Interview

I caught up with Grandmaster Gary recently and put a few questions to him, with an emphasis on how he became so flexible and agile to be able to perform his incredible kicking techniques.

Q. You are recognised as the world’s greatest exponent of martial arts kicks. What is your favourite kick and why?

A. I like all Kicks! In street defence a low side kick, In kickboxing a high Round kick.

Q. How often do you train, and what area of the body do you train the most?

A. Every single day, with a total body workout. Because of the demands of martial arts, it is important to work all areas regularly

Q. You seem to throw your kicks with ease. Are you naturally flexible or is your flexibility something that you have had to work hard for?

A. I have worked hard for many years to develop my flexibility. It is something that does not happen over night. I have my own personal flexibility routine.

Q. There are many forms of stretching to gain flexibility in martial arts - dynamic, ballistic, passive and so on. Which forms do you tend to use most when training yourself and students, and at what points of the class would you use them?

A. It is actually a mixture of all of the above. Most importantly, I include something at the beginning and a short routine at the end.

Q. At the age of 55 you seem to have kept up your fitness levels to a high. Over the 5 years that I have known you, you never seem to age. What is your favourite exercise when keeping up your fitness levels?

A. Thank you Dave. I think it is the regular daily TYGA workout that I have done for many years that has helped me stay in shape. My daily routine includes sparring, partner work, flexibility and kicking.

Q. What does an average martial arts day look like for Gary?

A. I start my day with my personal training routine. Of course, I then teach classes in Full Contact and Semi-Contact martial arts. Then there are always meetings and telephone calls related to martial arts and acting.

Q. You have already completed two successful films with another in the pipeline. Is this an avenue in your career that you intend to pursue, with an outlook to becoming more involved with British TV?

A. Yes. Since starring in the movies Thunderkick, The Kill Factor and my latest movie Extreme Counter Strike in the US, I have been offered more film, TV and Theatre work in Britain. I am currently working on some British TV scripts to be released in 2011.

Q. Do you keep to a strict diet to help you in your martial arts, and what is an average day diet for you?

A. Not really. I only eat one main meal a day. This works for me. But I do eat lots of snacks regularly during the day.

Q. You are doing great things with the UK and US governments to combat against the use of weapons and violence in communities. Is this a project that you wish to expand on and how far to you think it will go? Personally I feel this is a great project Gary, which should be known about in every household. What are your thoughts here?

A. Yes, I really do want to expand this project. I feel that martial arts and self defence training can help fight violence in society. When I was invited to Washington DC in October 2009, I met many young people who were living in fear of attack from weapons. I have started a new program called Youth Pledge Against Weapons (YPAW), which we will promote in schools, colleges and youth centres. This project is aimed at taking youth away from violence and giving them a way to defend their minds and bodies from this problem.

Q. What are you looking forward to most in 2010 in relation to the great work that you do?

A. To continue train/teach and help all people regardless of age, gender, creed, race or background.

Quick Fire Questions

What´s your favourite dream car? Jaguar.
Who is your favourite movie martial artist? Elvis Presley! Although a singer, I saw him in a movie using karate in 1966, and this got me started in martial arts.
What is your favourite movie? Spartacus
What is your favourite food? Fish, salad and rice
What is your favourite drink? Lemonade
What was your greatest personal moment? Winning my first World Martial Arts Championship.
What is your pet hate? Lack of respect
Who has been the greatest influence on you? My Mother

On behalf of famously fit and myself I would like to thank you for spending your time talking to us, and wish you all the success in all your future and present ventures. Thank you!

For more information on Grandmaster Gary Wasniewski go to www.ty-ga.co.uk

Dave Gentry