San Jacinto College Central Campus hosted a martial arts, yoga, and kickboxing demonstration March 4 as part of the National Intermural Recreational Sports Association’s (NIRSA) effort to promote fitness.

San Jac’s martial arts and kickboxing instructor, Sensei Deddy Mansyur, was the featured guest, and he used the event as an opportunity to showcase the skills of a few of his current and former students.

Mansyur has taught Karate for 33 years, five of which he has spent at Central campus as an adjunct instructor. He said he participated in the event to let attendees know they can enjoy the martial arts, regardless of their skill level, as a means for physical activity.

“Students need to find something that they love to do, and go with it,” Mansyur said.

His many accomplishments include earning accolades in both national and international competitions, as well as winning the State of Texas championship title twenty times.

Mansyur credits his trips around the world, while competing for martial arts titles, with helping him achieve his numerous distinctions.

“By traveling you learn that everyone is the same and are a team and family. To become champions, you can’t do it by yourself, there is teamwork behind it,” Mansyur said. “The team isn’t limited to only the dojo and the school. It can be your personal team such as your mom and dad, community or school.”

Although busy with multiple activities, Mansyur said he always finds time to help students achieve their physical and educational goals.

“I want to inspire people,” Mansyur said, “to expand their activities to the international level.”

Aaron Preston contributed to this report.