Links to Mr. Frank Trejo interviews

Frank Trejo interview #1

Frank Trejo interview #2 - part 1 of 3

Frank Trejo interview #2 - part 2 of 3

Frank Trejo interview #2 - part 3 of 3

Never be surprised by a shot to the groin

Looks like Mr. Trejo was a little surprised by the shot to the groin.

Rule #1 in kenpo: Never be surprised by a shot to the groin.

 

Testing day at Flores Brothers Kenpo Karate

Can you imagine walking into the dojo to test and this was your testing board?

Terrifying is an understatement. 

No high kicks in kenpo, unless you are Mr. Trejo

Recently it was discussed how Mr. Parker advised against attempting a high kick to an opponent's head, better to kick them in the groin first, then the head will be easier to kick.

(see post here: https://kenponotes.blogspot.com/2025/01/why-no-high-kicks-in-kenpo.html )

However, after seeing the above photo of Mr. Frank Trejo throwing a powerful high kick I'd imagine an exemption was made for him. 

Old school photo of Mr. Trejo

 

A couple of legends, Mr. Hebler and Mr. Trejo

 Mr. Trejo fighting at a tournament with Mr. Hebler as one of the referees. 

A tribute to Mr. Trejo

 

A young Mr. Trejo and Mr. Tatum

 

Mr. Trejo with Mr. Parker

 

Tribute to Mr. Trejo

 

One year since the passing of Mr. Trejo

 

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Edit: June 14th, 2019

 

(I recently saw the following tribute to Mr. Trejo on the Kenpo Girl website written on May 15th, 2019. I highly recommend reading the whole article which can be accessed with the below link.)

 

The late Grand Master Frank Trejo is known for the Ghost Patch in Kenpo.  For those that are not familiar with its story; the patch was designed by Sifu Trejo in memory of the late Grand Master Ed Parker. Sifu Trejo would not allow anyone to wear the patch if they had not trained with him… more specifically in his words,

“I have to lay hands on them.”

 

http://www.kenpogirl.com/articles/social-dominance-theory-in-martial-arts

Mr. Trejo getting punched and kicked by Mr. Parker

Gil Hibben, Lee Wedlake, and Frank Trejo

(from Lee Wedlake's Facebook page)

Ed Parker said when he saw this "These are my black belts..."

Frank Trejo has passed



A great photo

Mr. Parker with Frank Trejo, Jim Mitchell, and the Flores brothers.

Mr. Parker and Frank Trejo

(photo from Ed Parker Jr.'s Facebook page)

Photo taken at the Long Beach Internationals sometime in the early 70's.

The "Chicago Conclave"

(photo from Ed Parker Jr.'s Facebook page)

Per Joe Rebelo, this photo was taken at Lee Wedlake's Dragon Wing kenpo studio in Oaklawn, IL, at an event they called the "Chicago Conlave."

From left to right, Jim Thompson, Lee Wedlake, Gil Hibben, Mr. Parker, Richard Planas, Joe Palanzo, and Frank Trejo.

This must have been some night

(photo from Ed Parker Jr.'s Facebook page)

Frank Trejo, David Lee Roth, Ed Parker Jr., and Charles Gonzalez.

No information was given with regards to location or what was the occasion. (date on the photo looks to be July 13th, 1997)

I knew David Lee Roth studied the martial arts, I'm not sure what style, but I think I read somewhere that he took some private lessons from Mr. Parker although I don't think it was for an extended period of time.

Frank Trejo

(artwork by Ed Parker Jr.)

Frank Trejo, Joe Palanzo, Ed Parker, and Richard Planas back in the Team Budweiser days.

Frank Trejo, Lee Wedlake, and Mr. Parker

 

Location and date unknown, of course anyone can always leave a comment if they have information about the photo.