GRAND MASTER ROBERT
"TOKYO JOE" LAMATTINA

Bobby LaMattina (The nickname “Tokyo Joe” was coined by his high school football coach) began his journey in the martial arts in East Boston in 1971, at the age of 11. He studied Shaolin Kempo Karate, a system with its roots in the ancient Chinese art of Shaolin Kung Fu and further developed by Grand Master Fred Villari. Young Bobby studied under Fred Bagley, one of Grand Master Villari’s chief disciples. At the same time, he also studied boxing at the Paris Street gym, an influence that can be seen today in his renowned style of footwork.

The study and incorporation of different disciplines would mark Grand Master LaMattina’s entire martial arts odyssey. After receiving his black belt in 1980 and becoming known on the national competitive circuit, he began training with some of his most accomplished contemporaries in different forms of martial arts.

One of the biggest influences in Grand Master LaMattina’s life would be Professor Steve “Madd Dawg” Curran, a World Champion whom Grand Master LaMattina met at the 1983 National Karate Championship. Curran would become a friend and mentor to Bobby, and would many years later bestow on him the rank of eighth degree black belt and the title of Master Rencho.

By this time, after many years as a chief instructor in the Villari system, Grand Master LaMattina had founded the first Tokyo Joe’s Studio of Self Defense, in Nashua, NH. The school, and the many that would follow in New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts, exemplified his dedication to providing a fun and positive atmosphere for students to develop their minds, bodies and spirits. The Tokyo Joe’s System has been rated by Sport Karate magazine as one of the top martial arts schools in the world.

On April 22nd, 2005, after graduating a new class of black belts and promoting others, Bobby got his own promotion. He was invited into the World Soke Council, an elite international body of martial arts masters who have made a significant impact on and contribution to their art. With this honor came the rank of 10th degree black belt--the highest--and title of Grand Master.

Today, more than three decades after he first began training, Grand Master LaMattina is as dedicated as ever to the development of skilled martial artists and outstanding members of the community. For him and the thousands of students who follow him, the journey is just beginning.