Your friends at IMAC, USA welcome everyone who will be joining us for the 2nd Annual Martial Arts Olympics East-West Open. We look forward to sharing this extraordinary experience with you in April 2008; and, wish you the best of success at the East-West Open. In addition to organizing a once-in-lifetime trip for the competitors and spectators, IMAC USA was challenged to select a team to compete in the Olympic 'Battle of the Continents' which will feature fighting teams representing Asia, Europe, North America; and, the host country Russia. As a result, IMAC's scouting team set-out on a nationwide search to find the most outstanding American martial artists. With so much exceptional talent here in the United States, this mission proved to be demanding, but also extremely rewarding. We'd like to share with you a few great stories; and, martial artists we've had the pleasure to meet along the way. Athletes, that you can call teammates. Together, we will show the world the talent, heart and soul that America has to offer. In addition, we>d like to introduce to you the United States team.

DAMON GILBERT – 5h degree black belt in the Art of Effective Self-Defense Training and Kajukenbo.

Mr. Gilbert began training in the martial arts in 1980, earning his black belt in Kajukenbo in 1991. Kajukenbo dates back to 1947 and is recognized as one of the first mixed martial art systems in North America. The name simply means: karate, judo, ju jitsu, kenpo and Chinese boxing. He began to fight on the national and professional circuit in 1992 winning several national and international tournaments. With over 25 years of tournament fighting experience, Damon is known as one of today’s most accomplished fighters. To his credit, Mr. Gilbert approaches the sport with experience having “been there” and “done that” with no need for false or over-hyped promotion.

It is said that Damon is a true warrior, one of those fighters that keeps it simple and makes it happen. No pomp and circumstance here, just good ‘ole school fighting that gets the job done. He has eleven (11) Sport Karate World Championship titles and a laundry list of credits to back it up. Damon has inspired many up-and-coming martial artists with his lightweight speed and heavyweight power. He is known as one of the hardest hitting fighters in the sport today, if you’ve ever competed against him you know what I refer to. He is fueled by a committed mind and body that bolsters an undeniable spirit and will to win.

Damon was first introduced to karate by his father Tommy Gilbert, a National Sparring Champion and 6th degree black belt in Kajukenbo. Damon recalls admiring old karate illustrated magazines and vintage fighting photos as a young boy, hoping to one day be as good as his father. Damon trained at his father’s Best in the West (BITW) karate schools, when training had an edge that separated the boys from the men. His body imprints broken through the sheet rock walls of his first dojo lay testament to the solid foundation of this fighter, he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty. Damon has great admiration for those who have trained and inspired him over the years; and, acknowledges and thanks his Grand Master Ted Sotelo (founder of Kajukenbo Fi Kuen) for his ongoing support, and knowledge he has shared with him over the last 15 years.

Damon is a police officer with the Oakland Police Department in California. He is assigned to the patrol division and is also the lead defensive tactics instructor to over 700 officers in his department. He is also responsible for training the Defensive Tactics block of instruction at the academy averaging 150 hours of training within a six month period, preparing his officers for the worst.

Damon Gilbert is also the Chief Instructor at the Best In The West Martial Arts Academy in San Leandro California; and, has been a team member of the World Renowned Team Paul Mitchell since 1995. As a 34-year old business owner and police officer, this husband of five years and father of two ‘future world champions’, believes in family first. He is loyal to his coaches and instructors and also believes in giving back to the community. His favorite mottos and mantra attest to who he is… ‘each one should teach one’; ‘perfect practice makes perfect’ and ‘with great sacrifice comes great reward’. He is passionate about his sport and wants to be known as an innovator. He is an inspiration to martial artists, believing as we do that to be a great martial artist one must train hard, be of humble mind and spirit, and show character not only in victory but also in defeat. Damon himself wraps it up by saying this “…at the end of it all, I just want my kids to say when asked by someone ‘what kind of martial artist was your dad>’ to hopefully reply ‘he was one of the best to ever do it’. Damon, our hats off to you…you get it. You understand that with great talent comes great responsibility. You recognize that in order to achieve victory, it is essential to train hard; but in order to be a truly great athlete you need to give back and do it in a positive, well tempered and un-boastful manner. We have tremendous respect for who you are, what you do and where you’re going; and, we’re extremely proud to have you be part of IMAC, USA and the United States team.