Retaining his guard up: Martial arts corridor of famer needs to assist | Information, Sports activities, Jobs
Fredonia Fireplace Division honored Robert Olmendo’s achievements on their message board.
Robert Olmedo traveled to San Antonio final month for his sixth induction, joined by his spouse, Gina, and son, Alexander. The skilled martial artist and bodyguard has lived in Fredonia for a little bit over two years and needs to share his passions and philosophies along with his new city.
Olmedo, a Fredonia Fireplace Division first lieutenant, has led fairly a full life.
Born in Chile, he took up martial arts as a boy so he might shield his twin brother, Alfredo, from bullies. He should have protected him effectively — Robert acquired his black belt at age 14. (Now he has six of them.)
Nonetheless, he nonetheless had a lot to study.
Submitted Photograph
Robert Olmedo poses with {a photograph} of his birthplace in Chile at his house in Fredonia.
“At the moment, you don’t know what is absolutely martial arts. You’re considering martial arts is kicking, who’s extra macho, who’s kicking extra excessive,” he stated. “Little by little it began to vary. … Avoiding battle is crucial factor, it doesn’t matter what occurs.”
Olmedo emigrated to America in 1982, working on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. He later studied at John Jay School to turn into a bodyguard.
He had a martial arts college, in Connecticut for some time and has been a licensed private coach for greater than 28 years.
Olmedo wound up guarding some very well-known folks. “First I began with John F. Kennedy Jr.,” he stated. “He was an excellent man, I miss him … Princess Diana used to return in right here to New York Metropolis, England, Argentina, different locations, and I used to go along with her on a regular basis.”
He has additionally guarded musicians Sheryl Crow, B.B. King, and Carlos Santana.
“A bodyguard, you don’t must be larger,” he stated. “If you recognize your ability at martial arts — you recognize, I can put you out with one finger. However, you recognize, earlier than you employ weapons (or) you employ martial arts, you employ the pinnacle… You study so many issues. It’s important to be an EMT — if one thing occurs, they’ve a coronary heart assault, maintain them instantly as a result of typically they don’t make it to the hospital.”
He additionally is aware of eight languages: Chinese language, English, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish.
Olmedo has an extended checklist of individuals he needs to dedicate his achievements to. There’s his dad and mom, “who gave me the perfect values in life,” alongside along with his spouse and son, “for love, respect, self-discipline, concord, assist and endurance.” He additionally gave a shout-out to his former college students, his pals from all over the world, his instructors all through the years, the folks of Fredonia and Dunkirk and their fireplace departments.
He plans to open a health and martial arts coaching heart within the space, just like what he had in Connecticut. Proper now, he’s coaching folks in his basement. His son Alexander, 24, assists him. Like his father, he holds a black belt.
Olmedo stated, “For essentially the most half, (folks) don’t have respect, they suppose that they know every thing. No social ability… I can’t wait to show these youngsters, carry their dad and mom, ask ‘What would you like, what can I do to your child?’ As a result of some youngsters, they don’t hear to oldsters, however they take heed to folks from outdoors.”
Olmedo’s important aim is to supply a spot for space youth to get mentally and bodily match. “We’ve got nothing for our youngsters right here. There’s nothing, solely bars and bars and bars. It’s very unhappy,” he stated.
“Generally we now have to be humble. There’s a lot machos right here. They suppose that they know every thing as a result of they’ve a gun and knife,” he added.
“I’m a special particular person once I educate martial arts. Completely totally different. I’m the identical man, however lots of self-discipline. When you don’t wanna hear, there’s the door, you may go away. I don’t need to waste my time.”
Olmedo encourages folks to contact him at [email protected].
