Enrique (Rick) Agquiz

Instructor | Practitioner | Mentor

The Standard

"Earn the rank; don’t expect it to be given. Be humble in victory, but be gracious in defeat."

The Journey

My martial journey began at the age of five in the barrios of the Philippines. It started in backyard dojos, where the art was passed down through local masters. On my walks home from school, I would stop and learn the fighting styles of my Filipino heritage from the barrio's elders—a humble but solid foundation.

At 14, I migrated to the United States, and my passion only grew. I found a home in HCK (Hill Country Karate), later expanding into the Superfoot System and the deep combative arts of Silat. My pursuit of excellence led me to train under Maul Mornie of SSBD and travel to Brunei to learn directly from local practitioners like Betawi Tiga.

Today, my journey has brought me back to the foundational roots of the art: Okinawan Goju-ryu under the guidance of Sensei Ramon Vera. To me, martial arts is a never-ending lifestyle; a belt does not dictate the man. Only experience, dedication to excellence, and a deep appreciation for the art define the true practitioner. To solidify my belief that rank is 'never given, but earned,' I am moving through the ranks as my Sensei sees fit, starting from the ground up to truly master this lineage.

Core Rankings & Disciplines

• HCK (Hill Country Karate): 3rd Degree Black Belt

  • The foundational philosophy of practical application.

• Superfoot System: Sandan (3rd Degree)

  • Direct Lineage: Bill "Superfoot" Wallace. Specialized in lead-leg speed and flexibility.

• USANKF: Sandan (3rd Degree)

  • USA National Karate-do Federation—Olympic-style technical standards.

• Combative Arts: Dedicated Practitioner

  • FMA: Arnis / Eskrima / Kali.

  • Silat: Training under SSBD and Betawi Tiga.

Martial Core & Practitioner Status

• OGKK: Okinawa Goju-ryu Karatedo Kyo-kai

  • Status: Dedicated Practitioner (Pan-America Okinawan Goju-ryu).

  • Focus: Preserving authentic Goju-ryu kata and kihon as a primary martial core.

Coaching Leadership

• Co-Lead Trainer for Sofia "Da Pinay" Agquiz

  • Bridging the technical gap between WKF/NKF precision and ProMac/Open Circuit explosive strategy.

• Bears Karate Heritage:

  • Implementing a specialized curriculum rooted in the speed and flair of Bears Karate International (Est. 1973). This training is implemented through the expertise of Sensei Briana "Chopstick" Sanchez, ensuring Sofia carries Laredo’s premier martial arts legacy onto the national stage.