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Extreme martial arts

Michael Chaturantabut
Born (1975-04-30) April 30, 1975 (age 42)
Rayong Province, Thailand
Residence North Hollywood, California
Style Wushu, Shōrei-ryū Karate, Taekwondo
Teacher(s) John Sharkey, Jr,
Rank

     Black Belt in Karate

     6th degree black belt in Taekwondo
Years active 1996–present
Notable students Matt Mullins
Taylor Lautner
Website XMA Official Website

     Black Belt in Karate

Michael Chaturantabut (born April 30, 1975) is a Thai/Han Chinese-American actor and stuntman, best known for his role as Chad Lee, the Blue Ranger in Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue. He was born in Rayong Province, Thailand.

Xtreme Martial Arts or XMA is a brand name owned by Chaturantabut. Chaturantabut's XMA is a combination of elements from martial arts, acrobatics and gymnastics, with an emphasis on showmanship.

The concept of adding gymnastics-like tumbling moves to elements of traditional martial arts is otherwise known as "tricking". XMA makes these exhibition moves the focus of the sport. Open hand and weapons choreography are often accompanied by dramatic dance or programmatic music. The goal is to command the attention of the audience.

Currently there are schools of martial arts or similar XMA styles based in the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, the World Headquarters being in North Hollywood, California. Many of the moves are high-flying aerial acrobatic maneuvers. These stunning movements attain the goal of capturing the crowd, improving physical agility, balance, strength, coordination, and endurance, as well as performing an artistic display of talent.

He feels that there are many basic moves that can be specialized to be more acrobatic, flashy and artistic, so as to give the impression of complexity and difficulty for showmanship purposes. It is for this reason that he feels that even the basic athlete or beginner can learn the progression from basic moves to highly complex acrobatic sequences.

Chaturantabut was trained at Sharkey's Karate Studios located in Naperville and Momence, Illinois. He was formerly married to McKenzie Satterthwaite and is also the founder of Extreme Martial Arts.


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