Tony Lopez, Martial Arts instructor, will be teaching what he knows best to over 1000 students in Israel this summer. The camp will begin in Aug. at the largest martial arts school in Israel. He was invited to teach at the Israeli Budo Karate Club based on their impressions of his instructional videos.
Lopez’s references and experiences are quite impressive. “I have been named to several Martial Arts Hall of Fame,” said Lopez, “ and I have trained personnel from several government agencies, an instructor of the F.B.I, and Federal Marshals.” Several of these government agents have stated that the training they received from Lopez has saved their lives.
In the past he has trained a world champion who won her championship in Hungary. From Darlington, Gabe Tharp (‘97) is Lopez’s senior student and he has appeared in martial arts videos. Tharp’s beginning in martial arts at Darlington led him to win the Col. State Jujitsu Championship and Ga. State Karate Championship. He is now the head instructor of a Judo club in Colorado and has trained with U.S. Olympic members. Another former Darlington student and wrestler, Stuart Minshew (’00), still returns to Rome for valuable training time with Lopez.
“One of my students stopped an attacker who was older and sixty pounds heavier than her,” said Lopez, “As a teacher I cannot think of any greater gift then that gift of life I gave her.”
Even some Darlington parents have taken advantage of Lopez’s excellent instruction, both in Martial Arts and Spanish. “One of the parents is my senior student with a third degree black belt in Karate under me,” said Lopez, “ and another has a first degree in Hapkido from me.” All of their children have also studied martial arts from Lopez.
Darlington students have trained with the instructor of F.B.I. both at Darlington and in Washington D.C. as well as with other federal agencies. Both students and parents have done live fire with firearms with S.W.A.T. personnel. Several world champions have come to visit and train Darlington students, including an assistant Russian Olympic Judo coach and top Russian Samboist. Students have traveled through the southeast and to Washington D.C. training and competing under Lopez.
Lopez trains with a small group of friends whose payment for lessons comes in the form of helping to train each other, keeping the school clean, by bring supplies and supporting each other at martial arts events. “It may be the only school of it’s kind in the U.S.,” said Lopez, “ Money won’t get you in or get you a belt.”
The Darlington student body will have the opportunity to take classes under Lopez during the fall sports season.
