Bruce Lee`s legacy is being abused: Richard Bustillo

New Delhi: Richard Bustillo, a student of the legendary Bruce Lee, laments that the legacy of his great master is being abused and he fears that the techniques of Jeet Kune Do are not properly taught in India.

Jeet Kune Do is a fight concept, developed by Bruce Lee, considered the greatest martial arts champion of all time. Bustillo is an authority on Jeet Kune Do concepts and Filipino Martial Arts. Bustillo, who has been to India for conducting seminars, said he has been approached by many who wanted fake certificates to become JKD instructors. "This so called game, as you call it, is abusing the good name of Bruce Lee and his legacy. I have been offered thousands of dollars for a JKD instructor`s certificate," Bustillo said from California, USA. "Individuals are paying for an instructors certificate without being interviewed, testing or even having a personal meeting. Honesty is one of Bruce Lee`s direct philosophy and principle," he said. Bustillo, who received training from Lee, is a founding member of the Bruce Lee Foundation and also trained Lee`s children Shannon and Brandon. "Unfortunately I have not seen many martial arts players or competitions in India. I`m sure it is not Bruce Lee`s way of combat or of being well-round in all the martial arts ranges." Asked how he finds the JKD prospects in India, Bustillo said, he has seen only a few practitioners in the country. "I have been to Mumbai to conduct my Seminar only three times. The first two where with Dr. Deepak Rao and Dr.Seema Rao. The third time my host was with Yajnesh Cheetah. The prospects that I`ve seen with the students of Cheetah and Rao are very good," he said. Yajnesh has been a fight trainer to a host of Bollywood actors including Amitabh Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan and Ajay Devgan. Bustillo also said he fears that there may be a lot of JKD coaches in India but not all of them are authorised by the Bruce Lee Foundation. "The only three martial art instructors that I`ve seen are Dr. Deepak, Dr. Seema, and Yajnesh Cheetah. Unfortunately, I have not seen other instructors who are teaching Jeet Kune Do correctly. Many are impostors who have no direct lineage to Bruce Lee`s Jeet Kune Do or to the Bruce Lee Foundation," he said. Bustillo suggested that people who want to learn JKD must verify before joining a club or organisation if it is affiliated with Bruce Lee`s Foundation. "Problems in JKD Associations, Federation, Alliances, or clubs around the world is greed and ego. A genuine school or group will be affiliated with a Bruce Lee linage, and with an honest and sincere instructor," he said. "I don`t seek popularity on JKD in India. With honesty and direct physical training from a recognised Lineage Instructor, Bruce Lee`s JKD will be preserved and perpetuate in India." Asked if Bruce Lee`s legacy is being carried forward well across the globe, he replied, "Bruce Lee`s legacy has touched every shore on this earth. The ripple effect is carried well to many across the globe but needs improvement.” PTI