When somebody finally lands that one move they've struggled to master, 'they're so happy and that's, like, the best right there,' he said.

It's work that Branden finds uniquely satisfying. The students responded enthusiastically, attacking punching bags with intense - though slightly clumsy - force. Running through kicking and punching drills, Branden walked the aisles of kids barking numbers in a high-pitched voice. On a recent Wednesday afternoon, Branden worked out a group of seventh-graders from Palo Alto's Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School. Instead, he concentrates on gathering clients for his gym and teaching students young and old the grace and discipline of Chinese martial art kung fu. For him, it just means he's no longer competing professionally or posing for martial arts magazines, which are displayed throughout the studio. True, Branden's definition of retirement isn't standard. This is a guy who considers himself retired? Watching from the sidelines, Branden is awesome and confusing. Arms and legs spinning and punching air, Branden exudes grace and athleticism. Flying across the mats at his gym, Branden twirls through a butterfly kick and thwacks the padding upon landing. With all this on his plate, Branden still finds some time to show off his talents. Outside of class he teaches kung fu to local middle schoolers as part of their physical education curriculum. His recently-opened martial arts gym in Palo Alto, Studio Kicks, is a frenzy of activity with the classes Branden teaches to children and adults. , the 40-year-old Branden is a formidable force. He's small and polite, but underneath hisĪdidas warm-ups he's a wall of ass-kicking muscle and martial arts knowledge.Ī world-renowned kung fu expert, former 'Mighty Morphin Power Ranger' martialĪrts double and six-time World Association of Kickboxing Organization champion Spend some time with Richard Branden and you'll learn that unlike the movie title, white men can definitely jump. Publication Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2003

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