Studio

Sigung Jimmy Willis began studying the martial arts in 1976 under Kajukenbo Black Belt, Gabe Vargas, who was a black belt under then, Professor Charles H. Gaylord (and was bestowed the rank of 9th degree by Sijo Emperado in 1986). However, Sigung Jimmy Willis received his 1st through 4th degree from Black Belt holder Tony Hemenes, dating back to 1981. Sigung Jimmy Willis started competing on the tournament circuit in 1976. In 1998 he received his 5th degree Black Belt and in 2002 received his 6th degree Black Belt both under Kajukenbo Great Grandmaster Charles H. Gaylord, himself. In 2004 Sigung Jimmy Willis, received his 7th degree Black Belt from the founder of Kajukenbo, Sijo Adrian Emperado, himself.

Sigung Jimmy Willis has been rated both world and nationally in the martial art tournament circuit. Categories of being rated are: Men's Black Belt Fighting, Men’s Black Belt Traditional Kata, Men's Black Belt Open Kata, and Men’s Black Belt Weapons Kata, since 1982. He is also undefeated in Full Contact Kick Boxing. Sigung Jimmy Willis, also specializes in wrestling; in 1978 while in high school, he was the Bay Area Champion (Alameda County, CA) in the 156 lbs weight class. He also practices in Boxing, Muay Thai Kick Boxing, and in Kabaroan (Escrima--a stick fighting art).

Sigung Jimmy Willis' career in competition has been limited by his military service; he participated in both Desert Shield and Desert Storm 1990-1991 with the 41st C.S.H. (Combat Support Hospital). In 1992 he was re-stationed in Germany, and in 1994 he visited the Philippines. He moved to Fresno, CA in late 1994 where he currently resides, teaching martial arts and promoting self-esteem and self-discipline. He is known for producing top competitors within the Martial Arts Circuit, youth and adult. Male and female, World rated, National rated, and Regional rated.

July 12, 1997	World Martial Arts Hall of Fame	Outstanding Contribution to the Martial Arts
July 15, 2000	Filipino Martial Arts Hall of Fame	Outstanding Competitor
July 20, 2000	Master’s Martial Arts Hall of Fame	Leadership
October 19, 2001	North America Hall of Fame	Outstanding Instructor of the Year
January 17, 2004	Action Martial Arts Magazine's Hall of Fame	Outstanding Achievements in the Martial Arts
March 17, 2005	March Madness Hall of Fame	Many Outstanding Contributions to Martial Arts and the Sport of Karate

World ratings, National ratings and Regional ratings: Starting up again in 1998 after coming out from a semi-retirement, dating back from “1989”. Sigung Willis has been rated #1.

1998-National Ratings: IMAC (International Martial Arts Championship). #1 in Men’s Black Belt Traditional Kata, #1 in Men’s Black Belt Open Kata, #1 in Men’s Black Belt Weapons Kata and #2 in Men’s Black Belt Sparring (Middle Weight).

1999-National Ratings: IMAC (International Martial Arts Championship). #1 in Men’s Black Belt Traditional Kata, #1 in Men’s Black Belt Open Kata, and #1 in Men’s Black Belt Weapons Kata.

2000-World Ratings: NASKA (North American Sports Karate Association). World rated in the top #10 in Traditional Men’s Black Belt Kata and in Men’s Black Belt Weapons Kata. National Ratings: IMAC (International Martial Arts Championship). #1 in Men’s Black Belt Traditional Kata, #1 in Men’s Black Belt Open Kata, and #1 in Men’s Black Belt Weapons Kata. Regional Ratings: GCC (Gold Cup Circuit). Rated #1 in Men’s Black Belt Traditional Kata and in Men’s Black Belt Weapons Kata.

2001-World Ratings: NASKA (North American Sports Karate Association). World rated in the top #10 in Traditional Men’s Black Belt Kata and Men’s Black Belt Weapons Kata. National Ratings: IMAC (International Martial Arts Championship). #1 in Men’s Black Belt Traditional Kata, #1 in Men’s Black Belt Open Kata, and #1 in Men’s Black Belt Weapons Kata. TPA (Tournament Promoter Association). #1 in Men’s Black Belt Traditional Kata, #1 in Men’s Black Belt Open Kata and #1 in Men’s Black Belt Weapons Kata. Regional Ratings: GCC (Gold Cup Circuit). Rated #1 in Men’s Black Belt Traditional Kata.

2002-National Ratings: IMAC (International Martial Arts Championship). #1 in Men’s Black Belt Traditional Kata, #1 in Men’s Black Belt Open Kata, and #1 in Men’s Black Belt Weapons Kata. TPA (Tournament Promoter Association). #1 in Men’s Black Belt Traditional Kata, #1 in Men’s Black Belt Open Kata and #1 in Men’s Black Belt Weapons Kata.

2003-National Ratings: IMAC (International Martial Arts Championship). #1 in Men’s Black Belt Traditional Kata, #1 in Men’s Black Belt Open Kata, and #1 in Men’s Black Belt Weapons Kata. TPA (Tournament Promoter Association). #1 in Men’s Black Belt Traditional Kata, #1 in Men’s Black Belt Open Kata and #1 in Men’s Black Belt Weapons Kata.

2004-World Ratings: NASKA (North American Sports Karate Association). World rated in the top #10 in Traditional Men’s Black Belt Kata and Men’s Black Belt Weapons Kata. National Ratings: IMAC (International Martial Arts Championship). #1 in Men’s Black Belt Traditional Kata, #1 in Men’s Black Belt Open Kata, and #1 in Men’s Black Belt Weapons Kata. TPA (Tournament Promoter Association). #1 in Men’s Black Belt Traditional Kata, #1 in Men’s Black Belt Open Kata and #1 in Men’s Black Belt Weapons Kata.

2005-World Ratings: NASKA (North American Sports Karate Association). World rated in the top #10 in Traditional Men’s Black Belt Kata and Men’s Black Belt Weapons Kata. National Ratings: IMAC (International Martial Arts Championship). #1 in Men’s Black Belt Traditional Kata, #1 in Men’s Black Belt Open Kata, and #1 in Men’s Black Belt Weapons Kata. TPA (Tournament Promoter Association). #1 in Men’s Black Belt Traditional Kata, #1 in Men’s Black Belt Open Kata and #1 in Men’s Black Belt Weapons Kata.

2006-World Ratings: NASKA (North American Sports Karate Association). World rated in the top #10 in Traditional Men’s Black Belt Kata and Men’s Black Belt Weapons Kata. National Ratings: IMAC (International Martial Arts Championship). #1 in Men’s Black Belt Traditional Kata, #1 in Men’s Black Belt Open Kata, and #1 in Men’s Black Belt Weapons Kata. TPA (Tournament Promoter Association). #1 in Men’s Black Belt Traditional Kata, #1 in Men’s Black Belt Open Kata, #1 in Men’s Black Belt Weapons Kata and #2 in Men’s Black Belt Sparring (Heavy Weight).

2007-National Ratings: IMAC (International Martial Arts Championship). #1 in Men’s Black Belt Traditional Kata, #1 in Men’s Black Belt Open Kata, and #1 in Men’s Black Belt Weapons Kata. TPA (Tournament Promoter Association). #1 in Men’s Black Belt Traditional Kata, #1 in Men’s Black Belt Open Kata, #1 in Men’s Black Belt Weapons Kata and #2 in Men’s Black Belt Sparring (Heavy Weight).

2008-National Ratings: IMAC (International Martial Arts Championship). #1 in Men’s Black Belt Kenpo Kata. TPA (Tournament Promoter Association). #2 in Men’s Black Belt Traditional Kata, #2 in Men’s Black Belt Open Kata and #2 in Men’s Black Belt Weapons Kata.

2009-National Ratings: IMAC (International Martial Arts Championship). #1 in Men’s Black Belt Kenpo Kata. #1 in Mens Black Belt Weapons, #1 in Men’s Black Belt Traditional Kata and #1 in Men’s Open Kata.

Noted: Ratings from 1982 - 1986 can be found in Karate Illustrated Magazine Archives, under regional #6.

2001 was a year where Sigung Willis showed off some skills by providing stunt work along with choreographing fight scenes and starred inn as a bad guy in a premier rated movie called "Battle Beast". Other movies between 2000 and 2005 where Knights of Justice, Fist of Fong and the Action Agency (were Sigung Willis stared, choreographed and applied stunt work).

Sigung Willis has represented both the U.S. Army and Karate by participating on Karate Programs in San Antonio, TX, and Fresno, CA. (Karate World and Kicks for Punches on both local and cable TV in San Antonio, TX and KMPH Morning News in Fresno, CA). Sigung Willis has also been featured in three categories. Local newspapers, tournament magazines and tournament flyers both nationally and internationally. He represented Kajukenbo and the U.S. Army by placing 2nd overall in Tae Kwon Do Olympic trials in the Men's Middle Weight Division in 1988.

The following instructors are credited for Sigung Willis' Martial Arts Education: Gabe Vargas (Kajukenbo), Grandmaster Charles H. Gaylord (Kajukenbo), Grandmaster Al Dacascos (Kajukenbo, Won Hop Kwon Do), Grandmaster Larry Lockhart (Tae Kwon Do) and Sijo Ramiro Estalilla (Kabaroan, Escrima stick fighting).

Sigung Willis notes; He is blessed with the countless friends he has met both in and out of the Martial Arts circuit, for they have enriched him not only in friendship but in knowledge as well.
Kajukenbo Forever!!!