Dan Medina was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1953.  At age 17 he enlisted in the US Navy and spent the next 22 years circling the globe 2 ½ times.

Dan’s first real martial arts training started in Puerto Rico around 1973. The U.S. Navy introduced him to a combination of Judo and the Navy Seal Quick Kill method as part of his training.  This was not only the spark that ignited the flame, but the beginning to an intensive martial arts career.

In the Philippines, Dan Medina quickly put his newly acquired skills to good use while on loan to the Provost Martial during a time of Marshall Law.  Required to enforce the law and strict curfew without the aid of a firearm, Medina recognized the need for reliable and no-nonsense self defense.

Medina’s love for the martial arts and thirst for knowledge drove him to seek out instructors at every port of call.  From Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Sri Lanka to the Philippines, Dan continued his quest.

In the early 80’s Dan Medina was stationed in Hawaii.  During that time, the islands were a variable mecha of Martial Arts and Dan quickly developed friendships with the leaders and founders of the most prominent art forms.  Bobby Lowe, James Miyaji, Pat Nakata, Ken Funakoshi, Tomu Arakawa, Sung Au and Joe Bunch were just a few of the people Medina befriended. 

Joe Bunch, then president of the Hawaii Karate Congress, honored Dan by sponsoring him as an instructor.  After a secretive closed door voting process, he was accepted into the organization (no small feat since a long waiting list of hopeful instructors was turned away).  Dan Medina contributes a lot of his knowledge about martial history and culture to these gentlemen and will forever be grateful to them.

During all of his travels, learning from one instructor to the next, the Philippine martial arts were always on the forefront and his specialty.  Dan Medina now has 36 years in the Filipino Martial Arts.  He is the Founder and Grandmaster of Majapai, the culmination of his extensive learning experience.  He is a Regional High Chief in Derobio Escrima under GGM Braulio Pedoy, and Rajah (6^th Degree Red & White belt) Florida Vice President for Sphinx Karate & Arnis 63 Generals under Ricardo Mendoza and the Father of Sphinx Karate Jimmy B. Galez.

In addition to this, Dan has also studied with GM Narrie Babao for an intensive four years, earned a 3^rd Dan Kobudo under Shihan Ray Barrera and received an honorary Doctorate for his contributions to the Martial arts from Euro technical University.

After 9-11, Master Medina graciously donated his time and services to the airlines teaching pilots and flight attendants bladed weapons defense techniques.

Grand Master Sam Allred awarded Dan Medina an Honorary Black Belt for his contributions to the art of Kajukenbo

In August of 2001, Dan Medina was inducted into the International Karate & Kickboxing Hall of Fame.

Nov 2009 Inducted into the International BlackBelt Hall of Fame.

Jan 2010 Inducted into the Action Martial Arts Hall of Honors.

FMA Style(s)
Derobio Escrima,Arnis 63 Generals,Arnis Kuntao/Batangas,Ocho system,Largo Mano,Majapai,Sphinx Karate,Modern Arnis

Instructor(s)
GGM B.Pedoy,Batikan J.Pedoy,GM Babao,Punog Guro Mendoza, Shihan Barrera, Lakan Guro Pabalinas,Shihan Deleon, Lakan Guro Gingco

Other Martial Arts Practiced
European/Western sword fighting,Kobudo, Aikido, BJJ

Location
Amelia Island Florida and St Mary's Ga. Branches in Albuquerque New Mexico,

Website URL:
www.medina-escrima.com

Interests and hobbies:
Medieval recreation(SCA)

Favorite blogs and websites:
MartialMatrix, Escrima Kali Arnis Network, FMA Talk, FMA Forum, FMA Digest, StickMan, MyFmaNet, Eskrima Digest, FMA Pulse, Fasebook,Crump Dojo.