Richard Bustillo is the Founder and Chief Instructor of the IMB (International Martial arts Boxing) Academy in Torrance, California. He is a former lecturer with the California State University at Domingus Hills, a former columnist for Martial Arts Training publication, and the former President of the (WEKAF) World Eskrima/Kali/Arnis Federation '94-'96. Richard has the distinction of receiving law enforcement defensive tactics instructor certifications from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. He is also a consultant with the LAPD's Civilian Martial Arts Advisory Panel and a Founding Member on the Board of Directors for (Bruce Lee) Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do.
A native of Hawaii, Richard has over 40 years of martial arts experience. He began judo training at age 8 at the Gray Y Center in Palolo Valley, Hawaii. He learned to box at age 10 in Kalihi Valley and competed in 'Biddy Boxing' and 'PAL' boxing under the Veterans Boxing Club in Honolulu's Aala Park.
At age 14 Richard practiced the Kajukenbo system with the Kempo/Karate Club of Waipahu until graduating from St. Louis High School and moving to California to pursue a college education. While a college student at age 19, Richard competed in boxing tournaments such as the Golden Gloves, Silver Gloves, Blue & Gold and other amateur boxing shows for Shaw's Boxing Gym in Los Angeles. At age 24 Richard studied Jeet Kune Do under the legendary Bruce Lee at the Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute in China Town, Los Angeles.
In 1967, with training partner Dan Inosanto, Richard researched and studied the Filipino martial arts of kali/escrima/arnis. Richard and Dan are currently credited and honored worldwide for reviving and promoting the martial arts of the Philippines. In 1976, Richard was promoted by Sifu Inosanto to senior instructor level in Bruce Lee's Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do.
In 1978 Richard studied Muay Thai and achieved the title Kru (teacher) in 1985 from Thailand's former Olympian and Muay Thai Champion Nanfa "Lot" (Chiridichoi) Satenglam. Presently Richard is training with the Machado (Brazilian) Jujitsu USA Team for fitness and health.
Mr. Bustillo was certified by the USA Olympic Training Center as a coach and official for the U.S. Amateur Boxing of Southern California. He is a certified Sensei (instructor) with the Catchascatchcan Wrestling Association of Japan and a Guro (instructor) in the Filipino arts of Kali-Escrima-Arnis. Mr. Bustillo is also an inductee to Black Belt's Hall of Fame - Instructor of the Year and to the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame - Pioneer Award. He was awarded a ninth degree and the title Grand Master by the fame Doce Pares organization of Cebu City, Philippines.
When Mr. Bustillo is not coaching or officiating boxing/kickboxing, or conducting martial art seminars around the country or aboard, he is on patrol as a Reserve Sergeant with his assigned Emergency Service Detail Marine Reserve Co. 218. A Search & Rescue Team of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Richard is a member of the National Association of Search and Rescue, a member of the California Reserve Peace Officers Association, and the California Association of Public Safety Divers. He is also a member the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers and a member of the Council of Grand Masters of Cebu, Philippines.
After managing the personnel department of a Los Angeles major airline for three years (as the culmination of a twenty-year career); Mr. Bustillo elected early retirement in 1986 to be a full time martial artist. A service to society and its community by improving a sense of safety and confidence to students' total well being and self-worth.
Richard Bustillo has written and been interviewed by many martial arts magazines such as Inside Kung Fu, Black Belt and many others over the last 40 years. Check this page frequently to see my latest scans of these gems from the past
Richard Bustillo
Conducted By Paul Bax
What was your experience in martial arts before JKD?
I practiced Judo at 8 years old, boxing at 12, Kajukenbo at 14, Boxing again at 19, and JKD at 24. I studied Eskrima & Kali, Muay Thai, Catchascatchcan wrestling, and Jujitsu during and after Bruce Lee's JKD.
Did Bruce Lee take any offense to the fact that you were interested in other martial arts while studying JKD?
Bruce Lee would never take offense to any of his students who were interested in other martial arts. He practiced and preached being opened-mindedness to all martial arts. "Using no way as way and having no limitations and limitation" is Bruce Lee’s philosophy.
Bruce Lee had called Thai Boxers "John L. Sullivans" because of their footwork and lack of finesse. Your thoughts?
I don’t know of Bruce calling the Thai Boxers the John L. Sullivan because of their footwork and lack of finesse. I do know that he studied books on Thai Boxing and John L. Sullivan. I also know that Bruce would research different aspects of martial arts and draw up constructive criticism which would best fit his JKD.
How did your first meeting with Bruce Lee come about? What was your initial impression of him?
I first met Bruce at the 1964 International Karate Tournament in Long Beach, California. My initial impression of Bruce Lee was that he was average in appearance. But when he took off his shirt and performed his art, it was WOW! This was the real deal in martial arts. He was absolutely Awesome.
Did he come off as over confident or cocky to you?
I saw Bruce as being very confident and self-assured in his ability to perform his martial arts. His over confidence was confused with him being cocky to those who didn't know him.
What was it most that impressed you about his performance?
I was mostly impressed with Bruce Lee’s physical power and explosive speed when he executed his JKD techniques, coupled with his presentation on his concepts, philosophy and martial arts training.
