Martial artist’s journey leads to teaching

Master John Nigro trains black belts and award winners at the C.S. Kim studio in White Oak.

By DR. AMANDA MARTIN
McKeesport Community Newsroom

“Keep your head down!” Master Nigro yelled on a Wednesday in March. Allyson Leonard, only 11 years old, ducked and covered her head while huddled in the center of the group.

Eight students kneeled on the floor, all lined up together like a train that took up nearly 8 feet of space. Surrounded by silence, Alec Thielet bounced up and down on the balls of his feet. He was ready to pounce. Master Nigro called out “hai!” Alec dashed across the mat, leapt into the air, and performed a flying sidekick. He cleared every single crouched student, plunged his right foot into the pad like a dagger, and knocked it out of Master Nigro’s hand. Everyone cheered.

The energetic and passionate John Nigro, a 62-year-old North Huntingdon resident who runs the White Oak C.S. Kim Karate studio, impacts his students through creative exercises, tailored feedback and a dynamic persona backed up by seventh-degree black belt credentials.

Since 2000, students at the 1955 Lincoln Way studio learn traditional Tang Soo Do, a Korean martial art, from champion instructors. Dedicated to martial arts, he has produced over 100 black belts with 14 masters currently in attendance. In a recent Maryland tournament, his students returned with medals.

The first C.S. Kim school was opened in East McKeesport by Master Choong Jae Nim Chun Sik Kim after moving from South Korea to the United States. Several years later in 1982, Master Kim relocated headquarters to Monroeville. There are seven schools located around Pittsburgh and every head instructor, like Master Nigro, received personal training from Master Kim.

“As I think about Master Kim, usually 90% of it always goes to my teacher, because you’re nothing without your instructor, and his way of life is hard to follow because he practices what he preaches,” Master Nigro said.

When Master Nigro started his martial arts career in 1984, he was looking for something that would teach him better discipline, as he was working for his parents who owned a now-closed North Versailles Italian restaurant. After five years, he received his black belt and later went on to own his own studio after receiving teaching lessons from Master Kim.

“Through that tough teaching, it made me feel that you can retain this if you share it, and it’s so important to share the knowledge, give somebody else the opportunity to know or understand,” Master Nigro said.

Master Nigro took 11 students to the Maryland tournament and every participant returned with at least two medals. He couldn’t be prouder. One participant was merely 10 years old and another, Kennedy McPherson, won the grand champion in forms. Master Nigro’s students have been very successful in tournaments. Preparation typically begins a year in advance with tailored feedback.

McPherson, who trained with him for more than 20 years, pointed out that she does better when told that she can’t do something.

“He’ll sit down and focus on what you’re doing wrong and how you can correct it … (he) will help you get ready for competitions,” McPherson said.

During class, Master Nigro is always trying to find ways to motivate his students. One technique he applies is mixing up the ranks: placing white belts next to black belts. He then watches as the lower-ranked students start to mimic their seniors by lowering their stances and tightening their fists. Students also participate in challenging exercises, leaving class soaked in sweat after sparring each other.

“If you want to get better, it’s always nice to fight someone or work with some- body of higher rank and learn their skills,” he said.

There are more than 70 trophies that adorn Master Nigro’s studio, all his personal accomplishments with even more hidden in the attic.

“I have the memories, and it’s always that memory that’s important, more so than any trophy,” he said, after recalling a New York City tournament in which he won the championship.

Master Nigro attributed his competition success to Master Kim, who taught his stu- dents how to fight and took

them to many types of tournaments.

“It encouraged me to try harder and do better because

I wasn’t always first place,” Master Nigro said.

Throughout the year, there are many different activities that instructors and students can attend, but Master Nigro’s favorites are spending a day absorbing teachings from Master Kim, who still instructs at 85 years old. He reminisces about how Master Kim always talks about practicing basic techniques, the foundation of martial arts.

“Those are always my favorite memories, as recent as last month when he came down for testing. He stayed an extra hour at 9 o’clock at night in his suit and went over one of the high forms with myself and some of my senior ranks,” Master Nigro said, fondly remembering how he always smiled the whole way home from these training experiences.

Yet his biggest achievement focused on sharing this part of his life with his family. Master Nigro watched his daughter and son become grand champions. Martial arts have touched every aspect of their lives.

Most importantly, he recalled one of his favorite memories when his mother watched him receive the Men of the Year award, showcasing his success outside the restaurant.

“I love Master Kim, but my mom was number one and will be number one in my heart forever,” Master Nigro said.

Dr. Amanda K Martin is a Postdoctoral Associate at Virginia Tech where she researches amphibian and reptile biodiversity and habitat use. Martin resides in Glassport and is a member of Tube City Writers, a program of the McKeesport Community Newsroom.