GM Bob Gomez
INFO
Name: Bob Gomez
Title: Grand Master
HONORARY TITLE:
Rank: 9Th Degree
System: Kajukenbo
Method: Gaylord Method
BRANCH: Hardstyle
School: Gaylord's Kenpo/Karate, Gaylord's Fremont Dragons, Golden Dragon School of Karate
LIVED: 1963 - present
TRAINED: 1973 - present
INSTRUCTOR: SGM Pete Morales, SGM Brian Yoshi, SGM Bill SIlls, SGM Casey McPartland
Lineage: Sijo Emperado>GM Seronio>GGM CHarles Gaylord>SGM Pete Morales>GM Bob Gomez
AFFILIATIONS: KSDI
Grandmaster Bob Gomez’s dedication to Kajukenbo is rooted in personal loss and purpose. He began training at the age of 10, initially inspired by martial arts icon Bruce Lee. In 1980, at the age of 16, he lost his father—an event that profoundly shaped his path. Without a father figure, he turned inward and leaned on Kajukenbo, the ‘ohana, and its core values to guide him through his formative years.
Through the guidance of many respected instructors, Grandmaster Gomez developed not only as a martial artist but as a person. Those influences helped shape the man he is today. With that foundation, he felt a responsibility to give back—especially in a world that increasingly needs strong, principled leadership.
His purpose is to continually improve himself while developing leaders who are caring, empathetic, compassionate, and grounded in integrity. At the same time, he emphasizes that when confronted with no other option, those same individuals must be capable of becoming disciplined and formidable fighters.
Grandmaster Gomez does not claim perfection, but he consistently strives to encourage others to become the best version of themselves each day.
Island Style Kajukenbo MMA
Bob Gomez, Al Dacascos
History
Grandmaster Bob Gomez began his training in Kajukenbo at the age of 10 in 1973 after watching Enter the Dragon starring Bruce Lee in a local theater.
His first instructors (using current rank) were Senior Grandmaster Bill Gifford and Senior Grandmaster Greg Lagera.
Due to financial hardship, his family was unable to afford tuition, and he was forced to leave the school. Despite this, he continued training informally with others in garages, backyards, parks, and wherever space was available.
In 1978, (current rank) Great Grandmaster Charles Gaylord reopened his school. Gomez resumed training at Gaylord’s Fremont Dragons on Fremont Blvd., Fremont, California. His instructors included (using current rank) Senior Grandmaster Pete Morales, Senior Grandmaster Bill Sills, and Senior Grandmaster Bill Gifford. After approximately six months, he again had to leave due to financial constraints.
In 1982, Gomez enrolled in Tae Kwon Do at Ohlone College in Fremont, California, where he trained under Master Connie Miller for two years until the program was discontinued due to budget cuts. He continued training independently with his peers.
In 1988, he joined Golden Dragon School of Karate at the Newark Pavilion in Newark, California. His instructors included (using current rank) Senior Grandmaster Pete Morales, Senior Grandmaster Bill Sills, Senior Grandmaster Brian Yoshi, Professor Mark Davis, and Senior Grandmaster Casey McPartland.
Gomez earned his student black belt in 1991 and was promoted to 1st degree in May 1992. He also received the Golden Dragon School of Karate Instructor Certificate that same year. He was promoted to 2nd degree in December 1993.
When Golden Dragon closed in 1999, Grandmaster James Marshal and Gomez continued teaching privately and visiting other schools to train and exchange knowledge.
In August 2003, Gomez was promoted to 3rd degree and received his Kajukenbo Association of America Instructor Certificate. He was promoted to 4th degree in December 2009, earning the title of Sifu.
In 2006, Hayes Martial Arts opened at the Newark Pavilion in Newark, California. Gomez began instructing there in 2007 and was awarded the Head Instructor position in 2009. He departed in 2010 to focus on private instruction.
He was promoted to 6th degree on September 20, 2015 (Sigung), 8th degree on March 12, 2017 (Professor), and 9th degree on November 11, 2019 (Grandmaster), with formal recognition to occur per his final written directive.
Grandmaster Gomez continues to teach and attend seminars to further expand his knowledge. He currently owns and actively instructs at Island Style Kajukenbo in Fremont, California.
Golden Dragon Ranks & Milestones
Student Black Belt – 1991
1st Degree – May 1992
Golden Dragon School of Karate Instructor Certificate – 1992
2nd Degree – December 1993
Golden Dragon closed in 1999. Grandmaster James Marshal and GM Bob continued teaching privately and visiting other schools to train and exchange knowledge.
3rd Degree – August 2003
Kajukenbo Association of America Instructor Certificate – August 2003
4th Degree – December 2009 (Sifu)
In 2006, Hayes Martial Arts opened at the Newark Pavilion (Newark, CA). GM Bob began instructing there in 2007 and was awarded Head Instructor in 2009. He departed in 2010 to focus on private instruction.
6th Degree – September 20, 2015 (Sigung)
8th Degree – March 12, 2017 (Professor)
9th Degree – November 11, 2019 (Grandmaster) — Promotion to be formally recognized per his final written directive
GM Bob continues to teach and attend seminars to expand his knowledge. He currently owns and actively instructs at Island Style Kajukenbo in Fremont, California.
HIGHLIGHTS
2013 – USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame; Intercontinental Martial Arts Hall of Fame
2014 – USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame; Masters Hall of Fame; Featured in The International Directory of Martial Arts Instructors
2015 – Action Martial Arts Magazine Hall of Honors
2016 – USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame; Martial Arts Hall of Fame Argentina
2017 – Elite Black Belt Hall of Fame; One-on-One Filipino Martial Arts (Lifetime Member); Martial Arts Alliance (Lifetime Member); Honorable Mention – Kung Fu / Tai Chi Magazine (March/April Issue)
2018 – Featured in Secrets of the Martial Arts Masters, Vol. 1; Ohana 8 – Uncle Allen Joe & Bruce Lee Visionary Award (sanctioned by Linda Lee Cadwell)
2021 – Featured in The World’s Greatest Martial Artists
2023 – San Francisco Golden Gate Hall of Honors – Kajukenbo Grandmaster of the Year
2024 – San Francisco Golden Gate Hall of Honors – Excellence in Promoting Martial Arts (50 Years)
2025 – Legacy Warriors Hall of Fame
Kajukenbo Association of America (Lifetime Member); Golden Dragon ‘Ohana (Lifetime Member & Adviser); Ohana 8 (Lifetime Member, Vice President); Featured in Martial Science Magazine (3 Issues)
BLACKBELTS
Sibak Bruce Kavich – 2nd Degree (Head Instructor), Sibak Brian Terry – 1st Degree, Sibak Reshad Arash – 1st Degree, Sibak Nain Guzman – 1st Degree, Sibak Robert Blaine – 1st Degree, Sibak Yen Dinh – 1st Degree, Sibak Shabnam Arash – 1st Degree, Sibak Jailynn Laster – 1st Degree
