Martial Arts and the White House
Martial Arts and the White House
By Tracy Warrener
Martial Arts are practiced by people of all walks of life world wide. Rich people, poor people,
every day people and famous people have studied them. Some do it for fitness, some for self
defence and some to push themselves to become proficient in these arts. Whatever the reason
someone chooses to study a martial art there is one thing is for sure, everyone learns the
discipline that it takes. They also learn how the lessons you acquire on the training mat, or on
the dojo floor serve to only better you in your every day life. There are quite a few very
successful people who have served as the commander and chief of The United States of
America who became proficient in a Martial Art.
Probably the most famous former President of the United States that was known to have
studied not just one martial art- but several, was President Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th
President. His journey in the Martial Arts started out in Boxing as a youth. He trained and
competed with success right throughout his youth and into his days at Harvard. Later he added
wrestling and grappling under his belt and competed in them as well. Throughout his political
career he practiced these. When Roosevelt entered the White House, he studied the art of Judo
and Jiu Jitsu. Master Yoshiaki Yasmashita served as the private Judo instructor to the
President. Roosevelt was a diligent student, practicing with whomever he could find to master
his skills. He eventually earned his brown belt while in office.
Wrestling was very popular art that was studied by former presidents, George Washington,
Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson, just to name several. They all dedicated their time to
learning their art and became quite good at it.
In more recent years, President Obama was also known to be a Martial Artist. He studied Tae
Kwon Do for 4yrs and earned a green belt. Obama was referred to as being very disciplined and
a solid student. Years later he was presented an honorary black belt by South Korean
President Lee Myung- Bak.
Seeing how the martial arts had influence on these Presidents and their lives, one can only be
reaffirmed on the benefits studying Martial Arts has on a person. They give you discipline, make
you strong in body and in character. Mostly they teach you that you are capable of doing great
things when you put your mind to it.
Tracy Warrener has been fortunate to have been raised within the Martial Arts since the age of 4 years old and is a 4th Degree Black Belt in Goju Ryu Karate. She has had the opportunity to study with some amazing Martial Artists. Sensei Richard Kim, Sensei Peter Urban, Professor Don Jacob, Sensei Jim Wilson, Professor Wally Jay, just to name several. Of course her main Sensei is her father, Sensei Don Warrener. Throughout the 40 plus years of her involvement in the Martial Arts, she has worked her way from being a student of the martial arts to a Martial Arts Sensei ,teaching hundreds of students. She has ran and managed martial arts schools teaching students of all ages, worked within the community teaching at fitness centres, schools, businesses and Women’s Shelters, the benefits of Karate. One the causes close to her heart is teaching and empowering young girls and women the importance of self defence and awareness. Her program called Look Strong! Act Strong! Be Strong! focuses on easy self defence techniques and mind self defence techniques. In 2013 she was awarded The Silver Lifetime Achievement Award in the Masters of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in California for her contribution to Women in the Martial Arts. She is also a Certified Reflexologist and Reiki Master. She has starred in three of her own DVDs produced by Rising Sun Productions on Reiki, Reflexology and her Look Strong, Act Strong, Be Strong Self Defence Program. tracy.warrenerentertainment@gmail.com