GERALDO REID: Inside the excel martial arts training center, E-Java Abdul-Qadir passes on the sports that were important in his upbringing. A Bronx native, competing in his formative years yielded many accolades and through his accomplishments, he aspired to teach willing learners. The center provided a place for those interested. With world championship winning status under his belt, he says he wanted to be a tutor for others.
EL-JAVA ABDUL-QADIR: I knew that I was accomplished in martial arts and already had a successful career by that time. And so, I wanted to make sure I continue to share my way of life – the discipline that it gives you, the hard work, the fitness; And free the competitive spirit, for myself and my children.
GERALDO REID: Both of his children train at the center. One of them is Tahirah Abdul-Qadir.
TAHIRAH ABDUL-QADIR: I really grew up in the sport. I think I can officially say that I started about age four.
GERALDO REID: A sophomore at Syracuse University, when she isn’t on campus, she finds herself at the center training for upcoming tournaments. She says competing and getting to live that experience with her family is exciting.
TAHIRAH ABDUL-QADIR: I’m able to share it with the people I love most. My family are all involved in kickboxing, which is something that we share together. We get to travel the world together, we get to train together. So, I think that that’s one of the major things that makes this sport important to me.
DUSTY HERBIG: It’s a lot of fun to watch the hands and feet when the competitions are happening.
GERALDO REID: It’s an experience that some families here want to duplicate. Dusty Herbig signed his daughter up for the center. He says the opportunity to compete was vital in his decision.
DUSTY HERBIG: This place is unique in that way and that competitions are prioritized and that was something important that I wanted my kid to be competing in, not just learning forms.
GERALDO REID: Having started martial arts from a young age, El-Java’s children also fell in that direction when the center opened in 2008. Yet, the bond he has with his daughter have lead the competitive spirit at the center. She also trains individuals and he tells the story when their father-daughter relationship began.
EL-JAVA ABDUL-QADIR: Tahirah is my princess, right? You know, I mean, when my wife and I had Tahirah, I was wrapped around her pinky finger. We’ve got pictures of her with those, you know, little sun dresses, you know, karate head guard, wear gloves, you know, you like that. And for her, martial arts is our way of life.
GERALDO REID: With her father ever-present to teach her along the way, it makes her experience worthwhile and enjoyable. She says the mentorship she receives from him is something special.
TAHIRAH ABDUL-QADIR: I’m really close with my dad. It’s great to have him as a coach because not only do I have that support system with me, there at competitions, but he’s literally my coach, so I have him training me and being my emotional support as well.
GERALDO REID: She says the bond she has with her father creates a comfort place, where she finds the strength excel beyond any challenge. In Syracuse, for N-C-C News, I’m Geraldo Reid.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – For El-Java and Tahirah Abdul-Qadir, their bond in martial arts extends beyond the mat. Martial arts and other self defense sports require high levels of physicality. Yet, when training with family, it involves a soft touch.
Excel Martial Arts Training Center is a place that fosters training the mind and body to overcome challenges through competition. The center has martial arts, kickboxing and other self-defense programs.
With all the training provided, one thing already laid on the table at the center is family.
El-Java Abdul Qadir is the founder of the center. Among the many participants at the center are two of his children. When the center opened in 2008, they were the earliest inductees, beginning their lives the same way their father began his.
The early foundation set in his formative years yielded many accolades. This includes having a 7th degree black belt and a multiple time world champion kickboxer.
“I knew that I was accomplished in martial arts and already had a successful career by that time,” he said. “And so, I wanted to make sure I continue to share my way of life – the discipline that it gives you, the hard work, the fitness; And free the competitive spirit, for myself and my children.”
One of them is Tahirah Abdul-Qadir. Tahirah attends Syracuse University and is a sophomore there. Having her family to train with is a bonus in her journey.
“I’m able to share it with the people I love most. So my family are all involved in kickboxing, which is something that we share together,” she said. “We get to travel the world together, we get to train together. So, I think that that’s one of the major things that makes this sport important to me.”
The father-daughter bond El-Java and Tahirah Abdul-Qadir has is a shining light of the center.
Having a background in the sport he was overly successful, it was natural that it would get passed to her. His recollection of her primary years confirms her future was already written.
“Tahirah is my princess, right? You know, I mean, when my wife and I had Tahirah, I was wrapped around her pinky finger,” he said. “We’ve got pictures of her with those, you know, little sun dresses, you know, karate head guard, wear gloves, you know, you like that. And for her, martial arts is our way of life.”
Having her father play two roles in her life comes with more benefits, which builds the evolving bond they have.
“I’m really close with my dad,” she said. “It’s great to have him as a coach because not only do I have that support system with me, there at competitions, but he’s literally my coach, so I have him training me and being my emotional support as well.”
This family affair has also filtered down to those who bring their children. With competition being the main takeaway, parent Dusty Herbig brings his daughter to the center and follows a familiar theme.
“This place is unique in that way and that competitions are prioritized and that was something important that I wanted my kid to be competing in, not just learning forms,” said Herbig.
