Hanshi Wilfredo Roldan

    ABOUT GRAND MASTER WILFREDO ROLDAN     


Wilfredo  Roldan is the Grand Master of the  INTERNATIONAL NISEI GOJU-RYU KARATE-DO. He is  recognized worldwide as one  of the foremost authorities on the NISEI GOJU-RYU  system and traditions.  Roldan has been studying the martial arts for over thirty-five years.  He has studied  SAMURAI JU JIT-SU,VEE ARNIS JIT-SU,KALI-ESKRIMA, KOBUDO (Oriental Weapon), JUDO,FENCING, BOXING, URBAN and  NISEI GOJU.

During the mid-sixties, Roldan started  his journey  into the world  of martial arts.  Born on November 2nd, 1951, in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, Roldan grew up on  the Lower East Side of Manhattan.  The neighborhood is also known as  ALPHABET CITY, what used to be one of New York's most dangerous communities.

In his martial arts life, Roldan first studied   GOJU-RYU under  Master Owen Watson.  After realizing Roldan had  potential , Watson  introduced him  to Grand Master  Frank Ruiz (founder  of NISEI GOJU) for  advance training and further development.  The time spent with Grand Master Ruiz, proved to be a turning  point for Roldan's martial arts education as he was elevated to Chief Instructor  of NISEI GOJU After mastering NISEI GOJU, Roldan  was sent by Ruiz  to learn more about practical application of the GOJU KATAS and advance teaching skills from Supreme Grand Master  Peter Urban (founder: USA/URBAN GOJU).  During this time, Roldan  was sent  to study  SAMURAI  JU JIT-SU under its founder  Grand Master  Peter Siringano Sr.  Grand  Masters  Ruiz and Siringano  were known as the Damon and Pythias  of the martial world.  In the mid seventies, Roldan was fortunate to be granted  permission to study  VEE-ARNIS-JITSU under its founder , Prof. Florendo  MaCalruz  Visitacion.  In 1979, Grand Master Ruiz   retired to  Florida  and appointed Roldan to be the Head Master of the NISEI GOJU-RYU WORLD HEADQUARTERS in New York City. 

Continuing the evolution of Nisei Goju, Roldan added the elements of ju jitsu and stick fighting, broadening the art created by the Great Grand Master Frank Ruiz.  Roldan credits the martial arts for giving him the discipline to struggle for a better life.
  Roldan  became a man in the martial  arts. A Physical Educator for the Board of Education of the  City  of  New York, Roldan  received  his bachelors and masters work in New York's Hunter College.  His research and study have brought him to the Philipines, Israel, the Caribbean, and other parts of the world. A founding member of the World Eskrima Arnis Federation, Roldan was also a member of the 1989  U.S.A. Eskrima Team at the World Champions in Cebu City and Manila in the Philippines.  A student of some of  the pioneers  of the  American Martial Arts Movement, Grand Master Roldan travels  around  the United States and  the world  hosting seminars in Nisei Goju-Ryu karate, ju jit-su , Nisei Arnis Jitsu, kata application, and Kobudo(oriental weapons).