Guro Ron Carlbom

Personal Statement

"Originally from a small farming town in north-central Montana, I moved to Oregon in 1994. I worked as a welder in the Clackamas area. Currently, I live in Tillamook which is located on the Oregon coast where I plan to teach Kombatan.

I was introduced to this martial art when I enrolled in a "Street Defense" class in 2006 that was taught at Mt. Hood Community College. I was immediately impressed with how simple movements could have such a drastic impact on me. Prior to this, I had no martial arts experience and was not an athletically "gifted" person. I would have never thought that I would become a Martial Artist, but after a couple of classes I was hooked. Since joining Berdugo Martial Arts Academy, I have fought in Arnis tournaments in Oregon, Florida, and California. The tournaments have given me many great memories and I have met a lot of great people from around the world who were also interested in Arnis. I have also travelled to the Phillipines for the biennial International Philippine Martial Arts Federation (IPMAF) training camp. I often think of how "lucky" I was to stumble upon a complete martial arts system that encompasses sticks, blades and empty hands. I am also very fortunate to be able to train directly under Grand Master Bowers and am committed to doing everything I can to help spread the art of Kombatan to others."

Guro Ron's Background and Honors

2007 - Disney's Martial Arts Festival (Walt Disney World) -- 2nd place double stick
2009 - EsKrima Coalition (Stockton California) -- 3rd place
2012 - Berdugo Kombatan Classic (Clackamas Oregon) -- 1st place classical continuous & 2nd place classical point
2011 - IPMAF camp-- Phillipines
2011 – Received 1st Dan (Lakan Isa) in Kombatan
2012 - Promoted to 2nd Dan (Lakan Dalawa) in Kombatan
2013 – Promoted to 3rd Dan (Lakan Tatlo) in Kombatan
2023 – Promoted to 4th Dan (Lakan Apat) in Kombatan