Fierce Tigers Martial Arts Association

Welcome to
Fierce Tigers Martial Arts Association

For over 30 years, Fierce Tigers Martial Arts Association (FTMA) has preserved a long and proud tradition which has been handed down for generations - teaching the ancient martial arts: Tang Soo Do (traditional Korean-style karate) and Eskrima (Filipino martial arts). Our certified instructors within the FTMA are some of the most capable martial artists, going on to build their own schools, martial arts groups and academies.

New students are always welcome to join at any time. We welcome men, women and children members at our locations. FTMA is also welcoming new schools and instructors who wish to join the association in alignment with our curriculum and standards.

Benefits of the FTMA include certified curriculum and instruction, appropriate access to all senior members, support for promotions, seminars, and class instruction. World class certificates, handbooks and membership cards to identify and guide each student within any Dojo of the FTMA.

Thank you for visiting our website,
Grandmaster Gilbert Cordoncillo, Founder

If you're interested in starting your training or have any questions, please

About

GM Gilbert Cordoncillo Mr. Cordoncillo was born in the Philippines, the middle son of a military family. He was first introduced to the martial arts at the age of 6 when he attended festival with his great uncle. He observed traditional Arnis Filipino marital arts with bare hands and feet, sticks, swords and knives. This impressed him and lit a spark that someday would spread like wildfire to thousands of future students.

A few years after the festival, Mr. Cordoncillo began his formal martial arts training. His family moved to Germany and at the age of 10, he started practicing at the AYA recreation center. During his teen years, his family moved to Salinas, California in the United States. He resumed Korean martial arts training under Sa Bum Nim Simon Rivera and Master Jerry Hyde. At the Age of 17, Mr. Cordoncillo earned the rank of Cho Dan (black belt).

After earning his Cho Dan, Mr. Cordoncillo joined the United States Marine Corps and was assigned to the Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines. He was stationed at Kaneoe Hawaii where he continued his Tang Soo Do training and teaching while studying various other martial arts including Kun Tao Filipino martial art under Grandmaster Carlito Lanada.

Following his honorable discharge from the Marines, Mr. Cordoncillo returned to Salinas and resumed teaching under Sr. Master Jerry Hyde. He became well known in the central coast of California for his skill, discipline, impressive students and growing schools. By the mid-1980's, Mr. Cordoncillo was having conversations with well-established international Grandmasters in several martial arts systems. He had direct discussions with Grand Master J C Shin about aligning his schools with the World Tang Soo Do Association. He had further conversations with Professor James Muro who introduced him to Grandmaster Gilbert Tenio, Professor John Chow Hoon and Professor Juan Eliab. Mr. Cordoncillo was recognized as a master in training among Grandmasters. At this time, he was a certified 5th Dan in Koshryu Kempo, a 3rd Dan in the World Tang Soo Do Association and a Guru in Eskrima. Mr. Cordoncillo chose to focus applied teaching on the foundational art of Tang Soo Do formally. He and his school joined the World Tang Soo Do Association. Grandmaster Shin instructed Grandmaster William Clingan to work with Mr. Cordoncillo to align techniques and standards in Tang Soo Do.

Feeling the need to train his students traditionally and to share application from several of the arts he had learned. Mr. Cordoncillo formed the Fierce Tigers Martial Arts Association in 1986 and he continued teaching in Watsonville, Seaside, Salinas, Fort Ord Army base - along the central coast of California. By this time, several of his students had earned their Cho Dan and began instructing on their own.

In 1992, there were approximately 40 black belts actively training and teaching with several hundred active students and thousands of people having trained in FTMA locations. In recognition of this, several FTMA blackbelts and master martial artists of the central coast gathered to discuss the future of the organization and at this time proclaimed Mr. Cordoncillo 8th Dan Grandmaster of the Fierce Tigers Martial Arts Association in addition to being its Founder.

Today, Grandmaster Cordoncillo, having dedicated a lifetime to training and teaching martial arts, has earned the honorable rank of 9th degree Grandmaster and is a sought after teacher who shares the many martial arts he has mastered through the Tang Soo Do masters he has taught, the Kada Anan DeCuerdas Eskrima Instructors's he has taught and the black belt instructors who continue to teach in all the schools within the Fierce Tigers Martial Arts Association.

News & Events

Click any of the events listed for more information

VEA Martial Arts Collaborative
Tucson, AZ
Nov 4, 2023

Tucson Open Share
Tucson, AZ
Aug 19, 2023

FTMA Annual Gathering
Salinas, CA
October 13-15, 2023

Date: Oct 13-15, 2023
Location: 250 Calle Cebu, Salinas, CA 93901

On Friday, October 13, 2023, at 6 pm, the annual FTMA Gathering begins with testing for black belt/cord and higher levels. For individuals who are not eligible to test, this time will also be used for higher-level and instructor-level instruction. Please be aware that each instructor's eligibility for their teaching license renewal will be determined during this period.

From 8am to 12pm on Saturday, testing and training will continue for all color belt/cord levels. Tang Soo Do and Eskrima instruction will be divided into beginner, intermediate and advanced levels during this members-only training. Testing will also be conducted during this time for those who qualify.

There will be a lunch break from 12pm to 2pm. Participants may bring their own food or visit one of the local restaurants. For those who are unfamiliar with the area, a list of nearby possibilities will be provided.

The public portion of the FTMA gathering includes a free seminar with instructors and masters from various martial arts. The training will take place from 2pm to 6pm. Currently, instructors are being invited to teach. GM Carlito Bonjoc, GM Michael Giron and Guro Celina Duffy have already been confirmed as instructors for the event. If you know a quality individual who would be happy to share with us, please forward our information to them or ask if a KAMA Board member can contact them directly. The instructor roster is subject to change at any time and without notice.

Following the training (approximately 6:30pm), a fundraising dinner banquet ($50) will be held which will include the presentation of rank certificates to students who successfully passed testing.

An informal training for current FTMA members is available on Sunday starting at 9am for those who wish to polish up on their skills.

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Locations

There are several schools, groups and private instruction locations within the Fierce Tigers Martial Arts Association. Public instruction locations are available in Salinas, CA; Castroville, CA; Stockton, CA; Redding, CA; Phoenix, AZ and Clermont, FL. Seminars, workshops and other events as well as private 1-on-1 and group instruction are also available in some locations.