Christopher Ricketts
Encyclopedia
Christopher RickettsChristopher Ricketts (also "Topher" Ricketts; (1955–2010) was a well-known Filipino martial arts
innovator, teacher and author. He was also one of the chief founders and head instructors of Bakbakan International
.
organization. He gained exposure in 1986 from a project called "Masters of Arnis", which also featured Rey Galang
, Antonio Diego and Edgar Sulite
. They toured Sydney and Melbourne, Australia giving seminars on the Filipino Martial Arts, particularly those taught as the Bakbakan curriculum. This international exposure for Bakbakan
triggered several articles in mainstream martial arts magazines. Since then, he had collaborated with Antonio Diego on a book about the art of one of his primary teachers, Antonio "Tatang" Ilustrisimo.
Filipino martial arts
Filipino Martial Arts refers to ancient and newer fighting methods devised in the Philippines, the most popular of which are known as Arnis/Eskrima/Kali. The intrinsic need for self-preservation was the genesis of these systems. Throughout the ages, invaders and evolving local conflict imposed new...
innovator, teacher and author. He was also one of the chief founders and head instructors of Bakbakan International
Bakbakan International
Bakbakan International is a martial arts association headquartered in Manila, Philippines and founded by Christopher Ricketts. It has chapters in Australia, Canada, and the United States...
.
History and experience
Christopher Ricketts was a well-known martial artist in the Philippines, Australia, and the United States. "Topher", as he was called by his peers, was an experienced tournament (both full-contact and point system) and street fighter. He was known for his strict emphasis on using basics and frequent contact sparring. Topher had trained champions, many of whom have become part of Philippine teams in Asian and international competitions. Apart from being Chief Instructor for Bakbakan, Topher had assisted his brother Ronnie Ricketts, a Philippine action star, in choreographing action scenes in many movies. Numerous Bakbakan members have played cameo roles in Ronnie's movies, lending credibility to the action sequences as well as drawing crowds to the theaters because of the authentic fight scenes.Notoriety
Along with Rey Galang, Christopher "Topher" Ricketts was a founder and a major contributor behind the BakbakanBakbakan
Bakbakan is a boxing television program in the Philippines. It features boxers, sports analysts and profiles from the past. Hosted by Dyan Castillejo....
organization. He gained exposure in 1986 from a project called "Masters of Arnis", which also featured Rey Galang
Rey Galang
Rey Galang is a Filipino martial arts teacher and author. He is one of the chief founders and head instructors of Bakbakan International.- History and experience :...
, Antonio Diego and Edgar Sulite
Edgar Sulite
Edgar Sulite was a teacher of Filipino martial arts. He was the creator of Lameco Eskrima and trained such notables as: Dan Inosanto, Ron Balicki, Larry Hartsell, Fred Degerberg and Diana Lee Inosanto....
. They toured Sydney and Melbourne, Australia giving seminars on the Filipino Martial Arts, particularly those taught as the Bakbakan curriculum. This international exposure for Bakbakan
Bakbakan
Bakbakan is a boxing television program in the Philippines. It features boxers, sports analysts and profiles from the past. Hosted by Dyan Castillejo....
triggered several articles in mainstream martial arts magazines. Since then, he had collaborated with Antonio Diego on a book about the art of one of his primary teachers, Antonio "Tatang" Ilustrisimo.
Publications
- The Secrets of Kalis Ilustrisimo by Christopher Ricketts and Antonio Diego ISBN 0-8048-3145-9