Twin Tigers Kung Fu Master Eric Gardere has been involved in martial arts for nearly 49 years. And after what seems like a lifetime of commitment, dedication and hard work put towards his expertise, Gardere was finally recognized with two awards of the highest martial arts honors.</p><p>A recently retired Gardere attended the Bushido Karate Tournament with his family, who competes in martial arts tournaments, where he was surprised to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as being inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame.</p><p>"I was so surprised," Gardere said. "They called my name up and deep inside I was happy that my system had finally received the recognition it deserved."</p><p>As a founder and one of two instructors along with his daughter, Tiffany, at Gardere's Twin Tigers Kung Fu studio in Los Ba&#241;os, Gardere said his system is one of many accomplishments he's proud of.</p><p>With goals such as having respect for oneself and for others, as well as honor, Gardere said he tries to instill these goals by teaching the Twin Tigers' "purpose."</p><p>"To build one's body physically, mentally and spiritually, and have a good character," he said. "And our goal," one he teaches students to repeat, "is to have never-ending improvements in black belt excellence."</p><p>Gardere said he created such an intense learning platform for his students to follow because of his program's unique form of utilizing seven different martial arts styles of Kung Fu, which is one reason he believes he was given such high honors.</p><p>"We combine all seven styles into one system and it teaches our students to adapt from one style to another," he said. "If you have to use martial arts on the streets, if you've learned only one style, you only have a plan 'A.' With our system, however, you have plans 'A' through 'G' after adapting to any or all of the seven styles we teach.</p><p>"Our system is a way of keeping kids off the streets and out of gangs," he said. "If I can help just one child focus on something other than drugs and gangs, it makes it all worthwhile for me."</p><p>In addition to his recognition in the form of a plaque, Gardere was also recently promoted to his newest title of 'professor,' after being considered a 'master' in martial arts since 2002, bypassing 'grand master' completely, which comes in between.</p><p>"Martial arts is not just something you do. It's a part of your life, every day, in and out of the studio. It's a way of life, the way you live," he said.</p><p>Gardere's daughter, Tiffany, who received her World Championship title, said she enjoys competing in tournaments along side her father and younger brothers, Timmothy and Sejen.</p><p>"I want to follow in my father's footsteps," Tiffany said, who also strives to someday be named a 'professor.' "I want to get my business management degree and open my own studio, somewhere outside Los Ba&#241;os. I want to go national."</p><p>Tiffany said there are three or four other styles of martial arts offered at various studios in Los Ba&#241;os; Twin Tigers is the only one offering Kung Fu styles.</p><p>"What I respect most about my father is that he doesn't care about the business of the studio," Tiffany said. "He cares about his students and he wants to share with others what he's learned."</p><p><i>Enterprise reporter Samantha Salas can be reached by phone at (209)388-6562 or by e-mail at ssalas@losbanosenterprise.com</i>