Professor Don Jacob
Professor Don Jacob
“Martial Arts Young Gun Master”
Born and raised in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Don Jacob is a Jiu Jitsu stylist who trained under Moses Powell in New York City, Wally Jay in California and in Judo under Clive Thomas in Trinidad. He is considered by most to be the best demonstrator ever of the martial arts. He holds the rank of 9th degree black belt in Jiu Jitsu, with the title Hanshi or Professor. Wally Jay once said that he is the only man he has ever met that had the exact same qualities of his friend Bruce Lee.
If ever there was someone most likely to never make this list of achievements, it was Don Jacob. Born on a little Island in the Caribbean not known for martial arts, and into a broken family that was on all accounts poor at best, he was also born with drive and determination, tenacity and skill. He is without a doubt one of the Greatest Martial Artists of all time.
Founder and creator of the successful Purple Dragon Don Jitsu Ryu System, his dojo locations include the USA, Canada, England, the Caribbean, Australia, and Trinidad and Tobago, where the Headquarters are also located. Owners are normally students who have trained with Jacobs, and who are motivated by the philosophy and programs, including personal visits twice a year from Jacobs for gradings and seminars, the development of demonstration teams, and involvement in the community. His son, Daniel Jacob Jr., is a 6th degree black belt, and owner chief instructor at one of the Purple Dragon locations. He is a 30-year practitioner, tournament demonstrator, teacher and motivator. Daughter, Donita De Frietas Jacob also follows in her father’s footsteps.
Technically Professor Jacob’s skill level and knowledge is second to none. He is one of the most complete martial artists alive today. He has trained and taught in numerous countries from England, Japan, China, India, Australia, and Canada and of course Trinidad and the USA. His demonstrations in England, Canada, Grenada, Sultanate of Oman, Japan China and USA have made him famous, and now his students follow in his footsteps. His politeness and manners are possibly his most admirable quality. He is confident in what he knows, and at a young age had the courage to name his style Don Jitsu Ryu after himself.
With dojos in so many countries Don is a leader of men and women, no matter their background. Whether a Harvard Graduate or a cleaner, they carry deep respect and love for him because he preaches a positive attitude and to never quit. This attitude has helped thousands of students all over the world. His senior students include: Anthony Tompson, Neal Hewitt, Johnny Madrid, Floyd Baptiste, Arnold King and his son Daniel Jacob and daughter Donita De Frietas Jacob. His legacy is to be found in the success of his dojos, and their active involvement in learning, competition on world stages, working in their communities, and personnel development.
Recognition of Jacob as a martial artist are numerous, and include: 2010 Awarded the prestigious Humming Bird Gold Medal, one of Trinidad and Tobago’s Highest National Citizens Awards; 1998 Induction into the 16th Annual World Head of Family Sokeship Councils Hall of Fame; his tours and demonstrations in Japan and India, 1993 tour of Australia in which he taught and demonstrated to packed houses in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide; 1992 a featured convention instructor at Jujitsu America’s 14th annual Hawaii Convention; 1991 one of the first Trinidadians to be inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Akron Ohio.
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