Emin Boztepe
| Emin Boztepe | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
17 July 1962 Eskişehir, Turkey |
| Residence | Los Angeles, United States of America |
| Style | Wing Chun, Escrima |
| Teacher(s) | Keith R. Kernspecht, Leung Ting |
| Website | Emin Boztepe Martial Arts System |
Emin Boztepe (born 17 July 1962) is an American martial artist of Turkish origin who held German nationality prior to naturalization.[1] He first came to prominence for his fight in 1986 with noted Wing Chun practitioner William Cheung,[2] and he continued to gain attention in the 1990s with a public challenge of the Gracie family.[2][3] He was a notable member of Leung Ting's Wing Tsun organisation until 2002, when he formed his own organisation.
Early life
Boztepe was born in Eskişehir, Turkey, the second of six children. At the age of four, his family, originally from Bağlıca, Emirdağ,[4] moved to Germany.[5] According to Boztepe, his early days in Germany were difficult due to his Turkish heritage—he was a constant target for racial insults and, more often than not, verbal abuse would escalate into physical abuse. Martial arts became something of a necessity and his father urged him to begin training. Boztepe recalled, "Germany was not the healthiest place for a young Turk in those days of growing racism and neo-Nazi movements."[5] He claimed to have been in over 300 street fights,[6] many of them a result of this period,[5] though he also claimed to have not started any of these fights.[6]
Martial arts career
In 1976, at the age of 14, Boztepe began studying martial arts, including judo, Shotokan karate, wrestling, Muay Thai, and traditional boxing.[6] During this period, he also fought as an amateur boxer in 16 matches.[5]
In 1980, Boztepe was attracted to Wing Chun when he saw a demonstration by Keith R. Kernspecht who was teaching in Kiel, Germany.[6] He said, "Wing tsun was, really, love at first sight. And it fit me. For whatever reason, I was a natural at it."[5] Boztepe also began training in Latosa-Escrima, which Kernspecht's German Wing Tsun Organization had decided to make part of the family in 1982.[6]
His fight with Traditional Wing Chun Kung Fu master William Cheung in 1986,[2] at a seminar in Germany, caused controversy in the wider Wing Chun community.
After some financial problems occurred with his master, Kernspecht, Boztepe headed to his master's master, Leung Ting, and took special lessons from him until a financial dispute, which caused him to leave the Wing Tsun organisation.[7] Boztepe formed his own organisation, called Emin Boztepe Martial Arts System (EBMAS), afterwards.[8]
Personal life
Boztepe was romantically linked with English actress Jacqueline Bisset from 1997 until 2005.[9] He is known to have dated Zeynep Urgancı, the ex-wife of Turkish businessman Mehmet Urgancı after Bisset.[10] He is currently engaged to Roma Gonzalesáenz a Spanish professional photographer, graphic designer, creative director, classic ballet and TV dancer and bass player.
References
- ↑ Sadettin Özgenç (April 2011), "EMİN BOZTEPE; "35 YILDIR YOLUMA ÇIKANLARIN SONU HÜSRAN OLDU!"", Siyah Kuşak
- 1 2 3 Jim Coleman & Jane Hallander (July 1995), "Royce Gracie vs. Emin Boztepe: Who would win this matchup of Jujutsu and Wing Chun fighters?", Black Belt 33 (7): 52–54, 57
- ↑ https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=sv#!msg/rec.martial-arts/QIVQuu9uh0I/7LBoZ5dVMXYJ
- ↑ Emirdağlı Ünlüler
- 1 2 3 4 5 Todd Hester (November 1999), "Emin Boztepe: Kung Fu's 'Natural' Warrior", Martial Arts Combat & Sports: 34–39, 52
- 1 2 3 4 5 Thomas Nilsson (May 1996), "Emin Boztepe Fighting For Wing Tsun Acceptance", Inside Kung-Fu 23 (5): 40–45, 111–112
- ↑ Statement Kernspecht Bozepte
- ↑ "New Wing Tsun Organization Formed", Black Belt 40 (7), July 2002: 19–20
- ↑ Jacqueline Bisset: A Biographical Sketch
- ↑ Sosyetik çifti karateci dağıttı, Hürriyet, 15 September 2005
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