For Eduardo Salazar, martial arts aren’t just a hobby or career – they’re a way of life.
The 40-year-old got his first taste of martial arts when he was eight, and quickly found a talent for muay thai, kung fu, taekwondo, kummooyeh and hapkido.
It’s this training that put him in good stead when, nearly three years ago, he was involved in a motorcycle accident that broke his spine and left him wheelchair-bound.
Mr Salazar also lost sight in his left eye as a result of the accident.
Doctors initially told him he would remain bed-bound for the rest of his life, but Mr Salazar’s never-say-die attitude helped him to defy the odds.
“Yes, I suffer, yes, it’s painful – my whole life has changed,” he said.
“But I had to think – did I want to live all of my life in a bed? Or do I want life?
“When you really learn about martial arts, you understand the real purpose of martial arts is understanding yourself in different situations.
“I am now in a wheelchair … and I don’t stop. Last year, I was world champion in hapkido and I think it’s a good example for people.
“Hapkido is very effective. You don’t need to be strong.
“The principles of hapkido teach you about self-control.
“Your best opponent is yourself – if you can’t control yourself, you can’t control anything.”
Mr Salazar, a fourth dan black belt in hapkido, recently moved from Columbia to Werribee and is now passing on martial arts secrets at classes at Iramoo Community Centre.
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