Rank: 8th Dan
School: Academy of Warrior Arts
Professor Darrell Sarjeant is
the Chief Instructor of the Sadiq Kali Silat and Kamau Ryu Ju Jutsu/Vee Jitsu
Systems. Born in Staten Island, NY, he began training in the Arts of Tae Kwon
Do and Karate at the age of five.
At the age of fourteen, Sarjeant began training formally in the Art of Shotokan
Karate Do under the guidance of Nick Bruno, Sensei. Bruno Sensei was a direct
student of Grandmaster George Cofield, founder of the famous Tong Dojo in Brooklyn,
NY. As Bruno decided to move his family to Florida, he introduced the class
to Ralph Gastiaburo, Shihan. Gastiaburo was a senior instructor under Grandmaster
Pete Siringano Sr., chief instructor of Goshindo Kempo Karate and Samurai Ryu
Jiu Jitsu. Gastiaburo was one of the top competitors on the East Coast in fighting
competition during the late 60's and early 70's.
Sarjeant studied the Arts of Goshin Do Kempo and Samurai Ryu Jiu Jitsu for a
period of five years. After this time, he began training in the Art of Goju
Ryu Karate Do under a variety of instructors. He received his first-degree black
belt under Glen Nieves, Sensei. He then continued his training under Hiram Diaz,
Kyoshi of USA Goju Ryu and Chinese Goju. From Diaz Kyoshi, Sarjeant received
his second through fourth degree black belts. During this time, he received
training in Japanese/Okinawan Goju Ryu under Rico Guy, Hanshi of the US Budo
Kai Kan attaining the rank of third degree black belt. Sarjeant ultimately received
his fifth degree black belt in Goju Ryu under Grandmaster Ron Van Clief, Shidoshi,
founder of Chinese Goju.
While training in the Art of Goju Ryu Karate Do, Sarjeant began serious study
in the Art of Ju Jitsu through the Vee Jitsu lineage. He first began training
under the guidance of Grandmaster Lil' John Davis, Founder of Kumite Ryu Ju
Jitsu. He then began learning Combat Ju Jitsu under Grandmaster Billy Davis,
founder of the Davis Ju Jitsu Self-Defense System. He ultimately went on to
train directly under the guidance of Dr. Moses Powell, Grandmaster of Sanuces
Ryu Jiu Jitsu. Sarjeant has also had the opportunity to learn aspects of Vee
Arnis Jitsu directly under the late Grand Professor Florendo Visitacion and
Professor David James, Inheritor of Vee Arnis Jitsu. He was later examined by
the US Budo Kai Kan, under the guidance of Grandmaster Rico Guy, and awarded
the rank of Seventh degree black belt Kyoshi (Professor) in the Art of Go Kempo
Jutsu. Sarjeant is also certified with the rank of Seventh degree black belt
Kyoshi (Professor) in the Art of Aiki Jitsu under Grandmaster Ron Van Clief,
Shidoshi.
Today he continues his training in order to broaden his knowledge of various
fighting systems. He is currently training in various aspects of the Filipino
and Indonesian Martial Arts, along with the study of African Fighting Arts &
Dances. He has recently been promoted to Guro under Maestro Guro John Bain,
Chief Instructor of Espiritu Mandirigma Arnis & Ama Guro Raffy Pambuan,
5th Generation Inheritor of Pambuan Family Arnis in the Art of Espiritu Mandirigma
Arnis, and Punong-Maestro (Head Master) of Sadiq Kali Silat under Punong Guro
Hassan Ali, Chief Instructor of Aneh Palu Kali & the Kapitiran Suntukan
Organization. Also acting as senior advisors to Sarjeant in the African and
Indonesian Martial Arts are: Ahati Kilindi Iyi, Chief Instructor and Technical
Advisor of the Ta Merrian Institute, Maha Guru Cliff Stewart, Founder of Within
Arms Reach, Maha Guro and Founder of Kilat Pukulan Pentjak Silat & Elite
Security Specialist and Pendekar Suci Richard DeBordes, Senior Master in Minangkabau
Harimau Pencak Silat & Close Quarter Protection Specialist.
Through his deep commitment to his community, Sarjeant has taught at several
after school programs, non-profit organizations, and group homes. He has worked
with former criminal offenders, at risk youth, women's groups, and senior citizens.
Professor was featured in the Black Heroes of the Martial Arts book along with
other leading African American masters of the martial arts. He has been seen
in several martial arts publications such as Karate International, American
Karate Magazine and Action Magazine. Prof. Sarjeant has taught workshops throughout
the country including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Florida,
California, North Carolina, Louisiana, Wisconsin, and Oklahoma. He was featured
in the Introduction to Aiki Jitsu tape by Grandmaster Ron Van Clief and has
won several trophies in fighting, forms, and self-defense competitions. He has
also lectured and taught Rape Prevention workshops in various Colleges, Universities,
and Women's Fitness Clubs including Wagner College, Langston University, and
Better Women's Fitness Gyms.
Prof. Sarjeant currently resides in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and is employed
as a Gang Intervention Specialist. He serves as the President of the Sadiq Warrior
Arts Association and is the chief instructor of the Academy of Warrior Arts.
In addition, he is the owner of Elite Asset Protection, and often provides personal
security services. Clients have included Craig Hodges (former NBA player), T'keyah
Crystal Keymah (actress) and several leaders in the business and entertainment
world. Master Sarjeant realizes the need for self defense in both the young
and old alike. With over 30 years experience in the Arts, he has worked diligently
to develop techniques that are easy to learn yet effective for all age groups
regardless of size or sex.
Ranks: