Paul Walker's Martial Arts Instructor of Nine Years Post Candid Pictures, Honors Him [SEE PHOTOS]
Paul Walker was a brave man and a speed freak but not many people know that he was good at a particular Brazilian martial arts. He learned it professionally for almost a decade. Walker's Jiu-Jitsu instructor Ricardo "Franjinha" Miller presented the late actor with an honorary black belt - the highest in this form of Brazilian martial arts, as it was Walker's wish to earn it since the last nine years.
Remembering the fallen star, his instructor shared fond memories of Paul Walker and how he had spent eally good times with him. Miller remembers how he first met Walker back in 2004. He became not only his instructor but also a dear friend for nine years. The grief stricken Jiu-Jitsu instructor has posted a heartfelt message about the star on his Brazilian Web site.
"A mutual friend had sent Paul my way, but I did not recognize him when he first walked in the door," shared Miller in his message. "In part, it was because he did not carry himself like a movie star, or a Hollywood big shot. Without the burden of a heavy ego, he was easy going with a ready smile. Like the Spartan setting of the gym, he was simple and unpretentious."
Miller helped Walker during the filming of "The Life and Death of Bobby Z" and was also roped in by Paul to add "a personal touch" to the fight scenes in his movie, "Brick Mansions."
Walker, he said, was so enthusiastic about this Brazilian form of martial arts that he wanted to showcase it in all his movie's fight sequences.
"He always wanted to showcase Jiu-Jitsu in his movies. Rather than the punches and kicks so common to many action films, he wanted to use his movies as a stage for Jiu-Jitsu. Paul would always tell me that he did not just want to be known for fast cars. He wanted to be known for fast cars and Jiu-Jitsu. He wanted to be an ambassador for Jiu-Jitsu."
Miller remembers the time when Walker expressed his desire to earn the most coveted title - the black belt in the sport and how he worked really hard for it.
"Paul was like many white belts; he wanted to know about becoming a black belt," said Miller. "I told him that at Paragon we don't give away black belts. I said that I didn't care who he was, I was not giving him a 'celebrity black belt.' He loved that! He said that he knew that he was starting late (he was 31), but he was determined to become a black belt. He said 'I will get my black belt, even if I need to get it in my coffin.'"
And that is what precisely happened. "Now in the wake of his death. I would like to reward Paul Walker the black belt that he wanted so much during his life," said the instructor.
Miller even shared lovely pictures of Paul and him from his own personal album. Check out the candid pictures here. The star of the "Fast & Furious" movie franchise, died Saturday, November 30, in a car crash and his family is preparing for the funeral.