Ramon Martinez was born October 4th, 1953 in the South Bronx, one of the most volatile areas within the five boroughs of New York City. He is of Puerto Rican/Spanish ancestry. From a young age he had an interest in the performing arts, both acting and music. Initially intending to pursue an acting career, he became a Speech and Drama major. He attended Adelphi University in Garden City, New York as a recipient of the Malcom X – Che Guevarra Scholarship.
As a drama major he took a six-week fencing class and decided he should pursue this further. Later, while working a summer job on the upper eastside of New York City he met Maître Rohde’s, becoming a student of Classical fencing at the Rohde’s Academy. That event changed his life entirely. While he soon changed his major and decided to become an educator graduating with a BA in Spanish with a minor in Education, he continued to train at the Academy for 10 years.
After graduation he worked in a variety of positions, none of which were as gratifying or fulfilling as teaching fencing. In the 1980’s he became a full time Master of Arms dedicating himself to preserve the legacy of Traditional Fencing that he had inherited.
Although possessing a fiery temperament, he is a deeply spiritual man and has studied many different paths with the goal of bettering himself as a human being. After more than 45 years of experience he believes that the study, training and practice of Traditional Fencing as a marital art can provide the skills to improve oneself as a human being by attaining awareness and self-command.
His interests outside of fencing are esoteric studies, history, old west lore, antique 19th century firearms and shooting as well as cowboy skills mainly riding both practiced when time permits.
One of his quotes: “It is better to fail boldly than to succeed timidly.”
TRADITIONAL FENCING 