Aaron Banks (martial artist)

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Aaron Banks (1928–2013) was an American martial artist from the Bronx, New York. He built a large martial arts world in the United States by teaching many styles under one roof, promoting tournaments, and bringing martial arts to the public through shows and media. He ran the New York Karate Academy, where he taught Chinese kung fu, Moo Duk Kwan (Korean), Goju-Ryu karate, judo, and boxing. Over his life, he organized hundreds of shows and tens of thousands of demonstrations and helped educate hundreds of thousands of students.

Personal life
Banks was born in 1928 in the Bronx. His mother was a nurse who gambling habits, and his father was a sports editor for a failing newspaper. He married twice; his first wife left him after his struggles with drugs and illness, and his second marriage ended because of money differences. Banks dreamed of becoming an actor, a goal that didn’t pan out. He died on May 2, 2013.

Early career
At 19, Banks pursued acting, taking small film and stage roles before he tried singing and then directing plays. He worked a variety of jobs, including in a record store, where a street fight changed his life. After the fight, he began studying karate under John Slocum. Within four years, he earned a black belt in Goju-Ryu karate and began training with several teachers to learn many martial arts.

Martial arts career and influence
Banks created the Oriental World of Self-Defense, an influential show that helped popularize martial arts in America. The show toured widely and played at big venues, including Madison Square Garden. It was broadcast on major networks such as ABC, NBC, CBS, and HBO, reaching millions of viewers. Through his schools and shows, Banks trained more than 200,000 students and helped launch the careers of well-known martial artists like Chuck Norris.

Notable events and achievements
- 1962: Earned a black belt in Goju-ryu karate (and trained in other styles such as Shotokan, Moo Duk Kwan, Southern Praying Mantis kung fu, and tai chi).
- 1963: Organized karate demonstrations, starting a tradition of public martial arts showcases.
- 1966: Launched the Oriental World of Self-Defense, with performances featuring karate, jujitsu, kung fu, taekwondo, and other arts.
- 1967: Hosted the East Coast vs. West Coast Team Competition in Manhattan; strong teams from both coasts competed before large crowds.
- 1968: Held the First Professional Karate Championship, featuring notable fighters and turning point moments for many martial artists.
- 1969–1972: Began monthly tournament events and expanded the tour, including performances at major venues and a road show across the United States.
- 1972–1974: Oriental World moved to Madison Square Garden; the show grew to tens of thousands of attendees and gained international attention.
- 1982: Appeared on The Mike Douglas Show and performed an impressive board-breaking feat (58 boards in 60 seconds).
- 2010: Hosted The World Professional Martial Arts Organization Hall of Fame Banquet at Madison Square Garden.
Banks also appeared in several films, often as himself or in small roles, including One Down, Two to Go; Fist of Fear, Touch of Death; The Bodyguard; Mean Johnny Barrows; Cry Uncle!; Greenwich Village Story.

Legacy
Aaron Banks helped bring multiple martial arts to American audiences and trained many students who went on to win competitions and teach others. His Oriental World of Self-Defense showed that martial arts could entertain and educate large public audiences, paving the way for future generations of martial artists.