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"T.A.C.-ticle Observations" |
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The Atemi Cast Interviews John Rivera
John Rivera at BACK ALLEY BRAWL 5 Atemi Cast: Tonight we have Sifu John Rivera, fighter from American Top Team Coconut Creek. How are you doing this evening sir? John Rivera: I am doing great. I had a phenomenal work out today. I am looking good. I feel good, physically, mentally, and spiritually. I have always been asked, “Who is John Rivera? I lot of people ask what drives you? What gives you that fire, that tenacity? What gives you that self motivation? John Rivera is an ordinary individual, who has suffered greatly during his childhood and adulthood. I am here to let everyone know that whatever troubles you have in life, you will prevail, as long as you stay positive. If you are true to yourself, you will be able to overcome anything. I have had a very troubled life. While growing up I was sick. I had tumors in my nose and face and had to have operations. It was a rare tumor and to this day I am the only survivor of this operation. Atemi Cast: Where was it? John Rivera: It was up in my throat, inside my nasal cavity, and inside my face. The first operation was performed at Mercer Hospital in Trenton New Jersey. I had it taken out and then it came back, several years later. I was taken to children’s Philadelphia Hospital. A great physician there and expert surgeon Doctor Hanler redid the procedure and removed it again. It was very painful. Anything that touched my face caused it to bleed. I would bleed severely and chunks of stuff would come out of my nose. Doctor Hanler was able to cut out the tumor and thank God to this day it has never come back. During this time my mom was trying to raise three kids. I was put into a foster home for a couple years. In the foster home I suffered greatly. Atemi Cast: Why were you put into a foster home? John Rivera: I was abused physically. Anything within arm’s reach I was hit with. My mom placed us into a foster home to save us. It was very hard for a single parent. While in the foster home I dealt with more beatings. I was sexually assaulted. Atemi Cast: How old were you? John Rivera: Between the ages of nine and twelve. I was taken out of foster care at twelve and got to learn who my father was. He did not want to have anything to do with me. It did not bother me, at the time. When I got to know him, he was not the father figure of father figures. He was into narcotics. He was a drug kingpin in Trenton, New Jersey. I lost my father to suicide. He was about to face sixty five years in prison. My stepfather met my mom when I was twelve. In sixth grade I could barely read, I could not add, do times tables, or subtract. Within two weeks of meeting my stepfather I mastered my times tables, division, fractions, and I did very well in school.
I was not the perfect role model. I was always rebellious. I never trusted anyone and I learned things the hard way. The secrets I held deep down inside led me to the dark side. I experimented with drugs, very heavily. It took ten years out of my life that I can never get back. I was very very into it. The thing that changed my life was when an individual came up to me, Paul Chellos, he was seven years old. I was at a martial arts competition. He told me “I want to be just like you”. It really got to me. This kid wants to be just like me. I sat there and cried. It bothered me greatly that this little boy could see something in me that I could not see for myself. From that moment on I ceased my experimentation with narcotics. I got myself back together. The martial arts did change me a lot. My kung fu master Ishmael Sadat has dealt with me through my hardships. He knows of my past and upbringing. He never gave up on me. The moment you give up on someone that is when they really need you. Stay strong and have that fortitude to keep going. What counts the most is what you’re doing, right know, for yourself. When I came down here to Florida, I was like, wow what am I going to do here. I have to start all over from the beginning. No one knows me. I have to thank my close friend from high school Anthony. He said come to American Top Team. With them I became the fighter that I am. People say “John you do not stop” and I say no. Why am I going to stop? I set goals and go beyond those goals. Once a goal is reached I add another and another. This is life. I stand for what’s right. I believe in myself and I believe in the man above. As long as you believe in yourself anything is possible. Anything. Do not let anyone take that away from you. I always said I would not say anything about my life. It is time to come out of my shell. I want everyone to know that if I am able to do it, you’re able to do it. I am a prime example of a getter not a quitter. I will never ever quit. No one trains has hard. I am a high achiever. American Top Team made me a professional. I want someone out there to give me a chance. I am looking to go pro. I am just looking for the opportunity. Just do not say something and not follow through. I will turn my back on you. Atemi Cast: You have everyone here speechless. John Rivera: If I am sixty, seventy, eighty years old I will still be in the martial arts. I may not be able to kick somebody in the head are take them down but I will be smiling knowing that I have down that. Martial arts are my life. It has taught me a lot and I never take things for granted. It has been several weeks since this interview took place and it looks like John Rivera may get his chance to go pro with a respectable promotion. FIGHT TIME PROMOTIONS may give him his shot, but first he must prove to himself, FIGHT TIME PROMOTIONS, and the mixed martial arts world that he belongs.
No matter the result of Rivera’s debut fight, he has proven himself a warrior. He has overcome many obstacles and established himself in countless battles. More importantly he has positively touched the lives of many people and has become a role model for countless young martial artists. The Atemi Cast can be found on FaceBook and Twitter.
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Rivera’s proving ground will be his debut MMA fight at FIGHT TIME PROMOTIONS and 
