Sensei Fernando Caraballo

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Sensei Fernando Caraballo was born at Santurce (San Juan), Puerto Rico on October 31, 1946. Began to practice Karate with professor José Angel Martínez, who became the president of Puerto Rico Karate-Do (the Kyokushin Karate Organization Dojo left by Bobby Ríos in Puerto Rico). Martínez promoted Caraballo to the rank of 3rd Kyu in 1971. Caraballo traveled to United States and trained with Master Tadashi Nakamura, who promoted him to the rank of Brown Belt, 1er Kyu. There he knew William Oliver and Charles Martin, outstanding Martial Arts stars.

Caraballo came back to Puerto Rico and began to compete in tournaments, facing great competitors and standing out because of his full contact techniques. Continued practicing Kyokushin Karate with Sensei José Angel Martínez, who gave him the rank of Black Belt, 1st Dan, on September 21, 1974. Then Caraballo traveled to New York where he received the Shodan Certificate signed by Masutatsu Oyama and came back to Puerto Rico to continue practicing and competing in tournaments.

Again traveled to United States, this time for a four years training with Seiji Kanamura. Seiji Kanamura promoted him the rank of Black Belt, 2nd Dan, on May 28, 1978 and in September 28, 1981 gave him the Sandan. For the Sandan test Caraballo fought with ten black belts.

Seiji Kanamura appointed Caraballo to represent his school in the World Championship to be taken on Japan that year, but Caraballo's father died the same day he had to travel and canceled the trip. Next year Kanamura asked Caraballo to be the Coach of his competitors for the same tournament, but several appointments impeded Caraballo to accept it. Meanwhile, Caraballo continued training, teaching and competing in tournaments. He was a very well known fighter in Puerto Rico in the '70's and early '80's. Many people went to tournaments to see him fight.

Fernando Caraballo (center), age 21, waiting his turn to compete in a tournament.	Fernando Caraballo, age 54, in a kumite practice with Adrián Becerril.	Fernando Caraballo, age 54, in a kumite practice with Adrián Becerril..
Fernando Caraballo applying a technique to Adrián Becerril.	Fernando Caraballo, performing Kata.	Sensei Fernando Caraballo with Sensei Jorge Luis Núñez
Sensei Fernando Caraballo & Sensei Jorge Luis Núñez, showing a blockade and attack technique	Kru Luis Ortiz training Sensei Fernando Caraballo in Muay Thai	Sensei Fernando Caraballo performing a Muay Thai technique
Sensei Fernando Caraballo teaching Mae Chudan Geri to Trujillo Alto Dojo students.	Sensei Adrián Becerril & Sensei Fernando Caraballo after a kumite	Sensei Adrián Becerril & Sensei Fernando Caraballo

Sensei Fernando Caraballo - Boxing Champions Coach

Sensei Fernando Caraballo obtained the licence of professional boxing trainer and worked in the training teams of Víctor (Chiki) Solier, World Champion of the World Karate Association, and Wilfredo Gómez and Wilfredo Benítez , both World Champions of the World Boxing Association. This is copy of an article about World Champion Wilfredo Benítez published in The Ring magazine, page 5, on October, 1979. The last photo shows Fernando Caraballo training Champion Wilfredo Benítez.

Sensei Fernando Caraballo was Adrián Becerril's Kyokushin Karate teacher until he gave him the rank of Nidan. At present Caraballo continues training Kyokushin Karate and Muay Thai, and helps Becerril in teaching techniques to the students. Caraballo works for the Government of Puerto Rico, at the Recreation and Sports Department.