Staten Islander fulfills boyhood dream, opens martial arts center

C.J. Eadicicco, a native of Staten Island, has always been interested in martial arts and has always envisioned starting his own business.

The mission is complete!

Earlier this month, Eadicicco celebrated the grand opening of Legacy Martial Arts Center, located at 1891 Victory Boulevard in Castleton Corners, fulfilling a lifelong goal of his.

It has been a roller coaster for him ever since Eadicicco’s family and friends assisted him in cutting the red ribbon on that beautiful day, but he enjoys it.

Since I was a little lad, this has been my ambition, according to Eadicicco, the new center’s headmaster. My life has revolved around martial arts, which has helped shape who I am today. I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to fulfill my dream of opening my own school.

Eadicicco, who now lives in St. George, claimed that his brother’s acquaintance, who was a martial arts practitioner at the time, introduced him to the practice. Eadicicco was only three and a half years old in 1996.

They say the rest is history.

An interior view of Castleton Corners’ Legacy Martial Arts Center. (Image provided by C.J. Eadicicco.)Eadicicco, C.J.

Eadiccico, who obtained his sixth-degree black belt in 2023, said, “I’ve trained with the Kim family, who are synonymous with Staten Island Martial Arts, as well as national-level competitors and Olympic-level athletes.” Grand Master Tae Ho Kwon and UFC champion coach Eddie Cha are two more Olympic-caliber athletes and instructors with whom I have trained. Additionally, I have my accreditation from Kukkiwon, the World Taekwondo Federation, the organization that oversees Taekwondo.

He joined the demonstration squad while training at Dragon Kim’s Karate USA and frequently displayed his abilities at several locations throughout the Island and beyond. The fact that he earned his third-degree black belt before he was a teenager was even more amazing.

Later on, he was promoted to head instructor at Dragon Kim’s Karate USA on Manor Road.

With a wealth of excellent credentials, Eadicicco is now attempting to teach martial arts to Staten Island’s youngsters, using his own facility as a backdrop.

According to Eadicicco, lessons began on November 4. All ages three and above are welcome to attend our classes.

C.J. Eadicicco, owner of Legacy Martial Arts Center, stands in front of his new establishment with his wife, Lauren. (Image provided by C.J. Eadicicco.)Eadicicco, C.J.

Additionally, each class looks like this:

• 
  Ages 3-5: Attend what s called the Lil Cubs, a class meant to teach the most basic fundamentals of martial arts as well as basic motor skills, as well as the ideas of focus, confidence, discipline and focus.
  
• 
  Ages 6-12: Attend what s called the Lion s Program, which allows them to train with other students similar in age and rank.
  
• 
  Ages 13-17: Attend what s called Teen Strong, our classes dedicated to teenagers.
  
• 
  Ages 18+: Attend what s called Adult Strong, our classes dedicated to adults.
  

As someone who has trained hundreds of children throughout the years, Eadicicco noted, “We teach practical self-defense skills and physical fitness to help keep our students healthy while learning traditional systems in modern times.” We help our pupils acquire life skills like discipline, respect, confidence, attention, and integrity, thus it’s also a huge plus.

Eadicicco stands out from most others since he clearly enjoys what he does.

In a 2023 article published in the Advance, headmaster Eadicicco stated, “I love what I do every day when I wake up.” Through my weekly teaching, I regularly have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of people. You won’t work a day in your life if you love what you do, as the saying goes. Since martial arts have shaped who I am, I am really thankful that they have been a part of my life.

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