First, I would like to state that I believe it is important for a person studying self-defense to know the history, or lineage of their style. And carry on that tradition with generations to follow. It is with this belief in mind that I offer the following information on my instructor—mi padre adoptivo y mi amigo— Manuel Rabago de Guanajato Mexico.

I am trying to remember back over 22 years so please bare with me if my facts are a little off. Below is the story Manuel told of how he first became acquainted with the Martial Arts.

He was born in the small town of Guanajato, Mexico. He lived with his family who were struggling chicken farmers. Manuel was a small man, as those who know him will attest. And as a child, walking to school each day with his best friend, he was often attacked and robbed of his lunch money. The fact that he was small and did not know how to defend himself caused him great grief. However, this changed one day when he noticed a book on Judo instruction at a local book store.

Manuel and his friend saved their pesos and eventually bought the book. Together, they practiced each technique from the book—one at a time—cover-to-cover, until they became proficient with each technique. Eventually the day came they were forced to use their new skills against the kids that robbed them. And as would be expected of Manuel, he [they] were very successful in thwarting off the attack. In fact, Manuel said [grinning] they never tried to take their lunch money again.

Manuel further added that he and his friend eventually bought a second book on self-defense and learned all it had to offer. Eventually Manuel came to the united states and was tested for his dan (black-belt) rating(s). He achieved 2-dan rankings, one in Judo and another in Jujitsu. And his wife Yolanda (Yogi) achieved her brown-belt in Judo.

Given enough drive and determination, Manuel and his best friend demonstrated that we, as humans, can do anything we set our minds to. I have heard many people say, and I have read many Internet posts stating that it is impossible for a person to learn self-defense from a book. And while I would agree that a dojo (school) may be the nominal place for most to learn, Manuel proved that effective learning from a book is not impossible.

—Troy M. Wussow; 04/30/2004

If you have experiences of Manuel and wish to share them, please send an email to aikijudo@kc.rr.com