[i]Martial arts mastery -
Newark sensei earns third-degree black belt
NEWARK – For Ben Bisso, it’s tough to even describe the feeling of finally attaining black-belt status.
“When you get your second (black belt), you’re still in awe you got the first,” Bisso said.
Now that he recently earned a third-degree black belt, he knows it’s only the beginning of a long haul.
“When you get your third, you know this is something you’re going to do for the rest of your life,” Bisso said.
The 29-year-old Newark resident has made it a personal goal to become a positive example in the community. And Bisso has worked to help others do the same since he founded Impact Martial Arts, 102 1/2 E. Main St.
“I don’t consider this my job,” Bisso said. “It’s my love.”
The dojo has had large-scale improvements to a once simple gym, and the number of students has steadily increased in the past few years. In the last month alone, 25 students have joined one of the several classes.
Bisso teaches 12 to 15 classes a week at the dojo, where there are nine instructors, eight of whom have black belts.
Bisso led three sessions Monday, helping a group of young students sharpen their skills. While he did that, several men worked out in the weight room, two others sparred in a boxing ring on the other side of the wall and cage-fighter Rob Wince practiced with a partner in yet another room.
Meanwhile, Bisso continued his instruction. He performed a series of punches in front of the attentive kids, asking whether he had proper technique.
The kids responded in unison, “Yes, sensei. Yes, sensei.”
And teaching is what the humble Bisso really enjoys.
Recently, someone complimented him, saying “he was really good.”
Bisso replied: “It’s not that I’m real good. It’s that I’ve done it for so long.”
Bisso said watching actor Jean-Claude Van Damme inspired his start into martial arts. Bisso still remembers the rush he felt when he first did the splits on a pair of chairs.
He hopes he’s helping others reach their goals.
Bisso said he’s driven by making young kids into hard-working and disciplined leaders, instead of followers.
About two years after he earned his second-degree black belt, Bisso was inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2002.
“I’m thrilled just knowing if I pass away, I’ll have an effect on so many peoples’ lives, because they’ll remember what I teach them.”
http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050726/SPORTS/507260327/1006/NEWS01[/i]