Guru Mike Casto began his martial arts journey at age 8 in 1979 when he started training in Tae Kwon Do. He was a 7th Gup when his instructor had to quit teaching to pursue her career. Guru Mike then began training in Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate and had attained a 5th Kyu when his parents pulled him from the class so he'd have more time to devote to homework. For several years, he didn't officially study anywhere but continued to train and spar with friends who were still involved in the martial arts. In 1994, he returned to Okinawan Goju-Ryu and started as a white belt again. He had again worked his way up to 5th Kyu when he met Guru Ken Pannell at Asian Fighting Arts in Dayton, Ohio.

He has trained intensively under Guru Ken Pannell in the system of Sikal since February 1995 and earned his full instructorship in Sikal in September 1999. He still regularly visits Guru Ken to continue his training in Sikal. He also holds a third degree black belt in Doce Pares from Grandmaster Cacoy Canete and trains in Pentjak Silat Serak under Guru Ken Pannell.

He moved to Nacogdoches, Texas in February 2001 to train in Shen Chuan with Professor Lansdale and to bring Sikal to Texas. He now holds a Second Degree black belt in Shen Chuan, as well as an Instructorship.

Sikal:

Sikal is an eclectic blend of elements from various Filipino and Indonesian martial arts.

The knife fighting of the Filipino martial arts (FMA) is recognized worldwide as some of the best blade work in the world. FMA are also known for their stick work. Less known, though, are the Filipino empty hands.

Filipino boxing is called "Pangamot." It uses head butts, elbows, knees, forearms, and shoulders as striking surfaces. It also uses principles of controlling the opponent from Dumog. "Dumog" is Filipino wrestling.

Silat includes flexible weapons and a lot of grappling, takedowns, and throws.

The Sikal hybrid uses the strengths of each art to form a complete and well-rounded fighting system which will make the practitioner comfortable and competent in all ranges of combat, with or without weapons. The weapons concepts, as taught in the Filipino arts and in Sikal, are also applied to improvised weapons. So, a water bottle can be used in the same manner as a short stick. An ink pen can be utilized in the same manner as a knife. Modifications have to be made for length and attributes, but the same concepts apply.

As such, a Sikal practitioner sees everything as a potential weapon, shield, or distraction - and when an inanimate weapon isn't available, the practitioner is fully capable of utilizing his or her natural weapons and taking the fight to the opponent.


For more information on Guru Mike and his School, now operating in Kentucky, please visit the I.M.P.A.C.T. Website.