Nick Garland (Jacob's interpreter) with Jacob Garcia & Dr. Jim Thomas, Curator of the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

Nick Garland (far right) interprets for Jacob at the Hall of Fame event. Jacob is congratulated by an inductee.

Theresa with Jacob Garcia, after both were inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

       This is all quite an accomplishment for any college student, and his Hall of Fame status puts him in the ranks of Aaron Banks, Jason David Frank (most often remembered as the White Ranger), and Pat Tanaka. Most inductees have many black belt degrees to their name. But what makes it completely remarkable is that Jacob is deaf, short sighted (not totally blind), and uses a walker.

       His road to the Hall of Fame has not been an easy one. Jacob began training with Master Jim Fox of Fox Family Fitness more than a year ago, studying Isshinryu Karate. “Jacob is a very hard-working young man when it comes to the martial arts. He remembers the moves so well,” said Jim Fox about his student. “He has a very sharp mind. He makes up for his physical disabilities with his will to learn. It’s very strong.”

       Although working with Jacob “has been a joy…it’s also a challenge with his physical disabilities and his inability to communicate,” remarked Jim Fox. Jacob uses an interpreter to verbalize his thoughts and communicate for him. In speaking with Jacob’s interpreter, Nick Garland, about his work with Jacob, he told me, “I’ve been working with Jacob since 2004, and I spend my time working as a caretaker for a quadriplegic during the night, and during the day I'm either with the Garcias helping and hanging out with them, or involved at the Wabash Valley International House of Prayer, or church. I’m engaged to be married in December, so on Saturdays I am attempting to fix up a house to live in...and if I can squeeze time to be with my fianceé, I do. So really, I spend most of my time serving, and pray that it is ultimately a service to the Lord.”

       Jacob says, “Martial arts is a true pleasure. I feel as if God has called me to study it. I like learning the katas (forms) and the bunkai (fighting techniques or self-defense moves extracted from a form) of each technique. I especially like to learn the pressure points, although I still have a hard time finding the precise spots. Sparring is also one of my favorite aspects of martial arts.”

       I asked Jacob about his study of the martial arts; he began, “I first started studying martial arts in college courses at Indiana State University instructed by Steven Tuttle. I'm not too positive on his primary style, but I recall Don Rogers (who worked with me in Jeet Kune Do) mention that he and Steve got their black belts in Hapkido. Steve seems to have background in Jeet Kune Do, Hapkido, and Escrima that I know of. I currently study under Jim Fox, who teaches Isshinryu Karate, Shotokan, and Tae Kwon Do”.

       In August of 2008, Jacob attended a regional tournament in Peoria, IL. Jacob performed his kata (forms), weapons, and breaking techniques, “but his kata is what got the judge’s attention,” stated Jim Fox. “Jacob is able to do his kata in a standing position with the assistance of his interpreter, Nick Garland. But he can do his bo staff kata seated in his chair.” About Jacob’s performance of his kata, Jim remembers, “That’s what drew attention to him for the award. Master Steve Aldus saw him and immediately other people were drawn to him. The whole gymnasium just shut down; everyone wanted to watch Jacob. And there were other athletes with disabilities performing. It’s incredible to watch him,” he continued, “he commands attention in the way he presents himself.” Steve Aldus (a recently inducted 8^th Degree Master) was so impressed with his performance that he recommended his application for the Hall of Fame. Furthermore, he was so taken with Jacob’s performance and strength of will, that he presented him with one of his old black belts at the tournament.

I asked Jacob how he found out about his Hall of Fame honor? “Sensei Jim Fox told me at church that he had some interesting information and that he would tell me in class. So, I went to watch my brother at his private class like I usually do, and Sensei told me that I've been nominated by Master Steve Aldus, who had presented me with his own black belt after I competed at my first tournament on August 9, 2008,” recalled Jacob.

Jacob also talked a bit about his inspiration for the martial arts. “My mom has no martial arts experience. My dad, Enrico A. Garcia Jr., was my biggest inspiration. He was the toughest and the last person anyone would want to pick a fight with. He was an 8th Dan in Karate; his main style was the Filipino Martial Arts. He also studied Kickboxing, Ryukyu Kempo, Small circle Jiu-Jitsu, and Jeet Kune Do. He taught me some stick fighting techniques, twelve striking points and Sinawali”. (Ed. Note – Jacob’s father passed away in Sept. 2007 and his funeral was one of the biggest the state has seen in years).

Jacob sums up his university experience, “My major is Criminology. I am barely staying in school because I do not have the same kind of motivation and dedication that I have in martial arts. I want to work with Search and Rescue. My only other hobby is entertaining people and debating about religious matters”.

Jacob has heard many accolades lately, such as “energetic, so pleasant to be around” from his Sensei Jim Fox, to “he’s a good kid” from former instructor Steve Tuttle, to many experienced martial arts masters who rushed to have their picture taken with him after the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame event, telling him he was “an inspiration”, “their hero” and “a true martial artist”. But Jacob’s older brother Josh, whom Jacob says, “wouldn't study martial arts until he was inspired by my accomplishments at my first tournament,” isn’t about to let little brother get the big head.

Master Steve Aldus congratulates Jacob at the Hall of Fame event.

The USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame event banner is signed by all the inductees for that year.

Jacob is congratulated by an inductee at the Hall of Fame event.

Jacob and Nick take a look at the certificate received along with the Hall of Fame plaque.