Congratulations to our Student of the Month: Robert!
Hi Robert, can you please tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Robert Terriquez and I currently live in the City of San Gabriel with my beautiful wife and 16-year-old daughter. I grew up in the city of Rosemead the eldest of 6 siblings 3 brothers and three sisters. I attended San Gabriel High school where I found an interest in computers and technology. I attended DeVry University and graduated with an AA degree in Electronics and Computer Science. I currently work for East West Bank as the head of Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Information Technology Risk. This just means that I help position the Bank to run in any type of disruption or crisis by helping to prepare both the technical and business unit side. I enjoy mountain bike riding with my brother-in-law Tony. We mountain bike every Saturday morning at the crack of dawn to make sure we are back in time for Jiu-Jitsu. I have been mountain bike riding for approximately 15 years and I enjoy it because it gives me the opportunity to exercise while surrounded by nature which is very peaceful. I feel that climbing mountains on a bike parallels life as when you start at the bottom of the mountain you do not think it is possible to make to the top but once I get started it amazes me what you can really do if you do not stop. Its always a good feeling coming down the mountain after you have made it to the top!
What classes do you take and what got you interested?
I currently attend the Saturday 11 AM Jiu-Jitsu class. Originally was looking for some type of Martial Arts that would be good for my daughter Jena and then Silanoe Jiu-Jitsu opened in my neighborhood. I decided to join together with my daughter and after one year my daughter was not able to attend because of school activities but I could not stop because I enjoy it so much!
How long have you been training and what is your current belt rank?
I have now been training for 1 year and 4 months with a white belt double stripe ranking.
What is your favorite part of the Jiu-Jitsu class?
My favorite part of the Jiu-Jitsu class is trying to apply what I have learned during the grappling and sparring at the end of the class. It’s the hardest part but I notice that it gives me the most opportunity as every person is a different challenge.
Do you have a favorite Jiu-Jitsu technique?
I do not have a favorite technique as of yet. Every time I learn something new it becomes my favorite technique. My first year I learned that I really enjoyed Jiu-Jitsu this 2nd year I hope to learn my favorite technique that I can apply as a second nature type move.
What current and future goals do you have?
I want to continue to learn as much as I can by attending additional classes during the weekdays. My short term goal is to train hard, learn, build good endurance. My long term goal is sometime this year would like to compete and challenge myself to move to the next level.
Is there anything else that you would like to share with us?
Jiu-Jitsu is so much fun and its now a part of my life that I can not do without. I really look forward to my Saturday class because I get to see my Jiu-Jitsu family who helps me challenge myself while at the same time giving me the opportunity to learn from them. I respect the knowledge and instruction from Professor Gino and I appreciate the friendships and collective learning from the extended Jiu-Jitsu family. Thank you for everything!
Robert wanted his daughter to learn martial arts and ended up joining Silanoe Martial Arts as well.
Robert first rides his mountain bike Saturday early morning with his brother-in-law Tony. After the session they both head over and train at Silanoe Martial Arts. Robert enjoys a challenge and his goal is to compete later this year. If you like to join Robert and Tony request a Free-Week-Trial or check out our updated schedule. Get to know our students by reading more about them. Read here about our adults Jiu-Jitsu Muay Thai Kickboxing student Wah Wu or our kids BJJ student Nicholas F.