Looking around the martial arts landscape today, it would be easy to assume that all martial arts are from Korea or Japan. Although these two countries have a rich tradition of martial arts, there are so many more arts available for study than most people realize.

The Fayette Academy of Martial Arts, under the instruction of Eric Lunsford, has recently begun teaching the art of Kali/Escrima, which has deep roots in the Philippine archipelago.

Every Saturday at 11 a.m., Lunsford begins his hour long class which takes place at the World’s Gym in Fayetteville. Practicing and discussing the principles of attack angles and triangular footwork, the class moves swiftly between stick drills, knife drills, and empty hand drills.

Lunsford, a student of Rick Tucci of Princeton, NJ said “The Filipino arts are unique in their use of angles and the way the drills work across all the different areas of study. Also, the fact that they start with a weapon as opposed to most arts which begin with the empty hands, makes for an intriguing learning experience.”

Lunsford is the founder of the Fayette Academy of Martial Arts, Inc. and a 1986 graduate of Fayette County High School. He opened the Fayette Academy of Martial Arts inside World’s Gym - Fayetteville in January of 2004.

Rick Tucci is the founder of the Princeton Academy of Martial Arts in Princeton NJ. He is a student of Mr. Dan Inosanto and is a recognized authority on the Filipino arts.

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