The History of Purple Dragon
Professor Jacob's love affair with the martial arts began when he was only nine years old, growing up on the rough streets of a Port of Spain ghetto on the small island of Trinidad in the West Indies.
A fighter by nature, the young Professor Don Jacob badly needed a positive outlet for his energetic and aggressive personality, and he found it - in the form of judo lessons from Sensei Clyde Thomas. He quickly became one of his teacher's best students, and after earning his black belt, he got the opportunity to travel to New York where he met and trained with jiu-jitsu practitioner , the Late Grandmaster Moses Powell.
Professor Jacob spent several years teaching, traveling, and studying various styles of martial arts, including traditional styles like karate, which he learned from his second teacher, MASTER Tusui Yoshitaka (seen with Professor Jacob to the left).
In 1969, at the tender age of 15, Professor Jacob set about realizing his dream of turning his special talent into a rewarding career. In the humble neighborhood of Westbury Lane in Belmont, Trinidad, he founded his first Martial arts academy, under the name which was to become, over the years, a household word, and synonymous with a school of competitors unparalleled in Caribbean history - PURPLE DRAGON. In the years following the opening of his first school, Professor Jacob traveled extensively all over the world, performing and teaching Don Jitsu-Ryu.
What is most noteworthy about Purple Dragon's early beginning is that it was accomplished at a time when non-Orientals were virtually forbidden to open any new systems of martial arts - even more so in the Third World. Despite the initial opposition and disapproval of his innovative system, however, Professor Jacob forged ahead, making a name for himself and for PURPLE DRAGON. His persistence and determination have not failed him. PURPLE DRAGON now operates a growing number of schools in Trinidad, and is thriving and growing internationally in other Caribbean islands such as the Cayman, Tortola, Antigua, Ireland and Grenada, as well as in the US, Canada and Australia as well. The video entitled "Unstoppable Force" is one of the best sellers bearing the success story of the life and times of this awesome warrior. This video is available as a must for all students.
Professor Don Jacob's Timeline of Accomplishments
The Professor is no stranger to hard work and success. His incredible self-defense skills have brought him many fine moments in his illustrious 44-year career. Here are just some of his many outstanding achievements:
1970
- Purple Dragon was given it's official name. The original Location was at #14A Westbury Lane in Belmont Trinidad, it was called the 'hell yard' because of the rigorous training . At the time there were only two other karate schools on the Island, run by the Parris Brothers and the Chin-Leung Brothers. There were also two Judo schools run by Sensei Clyde Thomas and Charley Wu Ling. There were boxing and wrestling long before karate judo and Jiu-Jitsu in Trinidad and Tobago.
1972
- Professor Jacob hosted the 1st open international Karate championship at Queens Hall Port Of Spain Trinidad WI
1974
- Purple Dragon started it's first ever international branch in Grenada, headed by Sensei Johnny Madrid (now Shihan)
1975
- Don Jitsu Ryu was born in Trinidad and Tobago
1977
- Won the Joyce Santa Maria Empire State Self Defense grand championships in New York
- Professor Don Jacob was the first Trinidadian to perform at Madison Square Garden, at the Oriental World of Self-Defense.
1978
- Won the Canadian National Exhibition world Jiu-Jitsu Self Defense Championships hosted by the Canadian Jiu Jitsu Association and hosted by Master Ron Forrester. At the same tournament he also coached the Trinidad and Tobago Purple Dragon Sparring Team to 2nd place victory. The team members were: Anthony Dillon, Carlyle Thorne, Anthony Thompson, Johnny Madrid, and David Raphael
1979
- Wrote and self publish the "Official Manual for Rape Prevention
1980
- Became the first Trinidadian to perform at the Madison Square Gardens Oriental World of Self-Defense in front of 28,000 cheering spectators. His performance was later featured on ABC's Wide World of Sports. 1980 While performing at Jim Wilson's Independent Shotokan Karate Championship in London, England, he became the first Black martial artist to be featured on the cover of the English magazine: "Karate and Oriental Arts"
1981
- He was inducted by Jiu-Jitsu America into the Black Belt Hall of Fame
1982
- Professor Don Jacob Taught the Don Jitsu Ryu to the Royal Guards in Oman in the middle east
1983
- Hosted the Master Key Seminar for progressive thinking at Hilton Hotel Trinidad
1984
- Recieve his Martial Arts Business management certification form Toronto Canada
1985
- Became the first known Black martial artist to publish a book on the art of jiu-jitsu - "High Impact Jiu-jitsu"
1986
- The first and only Trinidadian to be mentioned in Al Weiss' Book, "The Official History of Karate in America - The Golden Ages 1968 -1986"
1988
- Professor Jacob, Shihan Anthony Thompson AND Herbert Norville were made Honorary Citizens of Alameda California when they were touring and performing in that area
1989
- Demonstrated in Hawaii with Professor Wally Jay at for the US Army at Scoffield Barracks
1991
- Professor Jacob and Shihan Anthony Thompson were the first Trinidadians to be featured in the World martial Arts Hall Of Fame in Akron Ohio
1994
- Was featured on the cover of SMASH Sport Karate Magazine as "World Champion Coach"
1996
- Featured in "Black Heroes of the Martial Arts" - by Ron Van Clef
1997
- May-June - Featured with Professor Wally Jay in "World of Martial Arts magazine"
- Filmed by Trans World Sports and featured by Pan Am Airlines on their in-flight entertainment films to over 90 countries
2000
- Purple Dragon World Karate team excelled in Australia
2003
- US Open World Karate Championships, Purple Dragon Sensei Albert Andrews was featured on ESPN SPORTS
2004
- US Open world Karate Championships Purple Dragon Sensei Arnold King was featured on ESPN SPORTS
2005
- US Open world Championships, held July 2-3 the Purple Dragon World Karate team again, Sensei Arnold King was featured on ESPN PORTS and Sensei Nicole Thomas
- Visited India, Nepal and Africa with his team
2006
- Featured in Inside Kung-Fu Magazine, Article by Daniel I. Rauch on page 70, celebrating Professor Wally Jay 90th birthday in California present was Sensei Daniel Jacob, Sensei Albert Andrews and Instructor Candia Fischer
2007
- The Purple Dragon had more huge success in July at Canadian Grand Slam Karate Championships DVD available US $19.99
2008
- Hosted the first ever certification CPR and First Aid for Black Belt Instructors and parents at the Purple Dragon Martial Arts school
- Purple Dragon 2008 Inductees, into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame: Professor Don Jacob Trinidad and Tobago, Sensei Amber Murphy Canada, Sensei Daniel Jacob Canada, Shihan Neil Hewitt Trinidad and Tobago, Shihan Anthony Thompson Trinidad and Tobago, Shihan Johnny Madrid New York USA, Sensei Floyd Baptist Cayman Islands, Sensei Abeana Baptiste Tortola BVI, Instructor Vern Turnbull Tortola BVI, Sensei Albert Andrews Miami USA, Sensei Arnold King Trinidad and Tobago.