Jersey Journal - of teaching martial arts to local children

of teaching martial arts to local children
Thursday, September 27, 2007
like a circus performer.'" In addition to his circus-like feats, Nagle also challenged heavyweights and was even offered the opportunity to be Elvis Presley's bodyguard, though he declined. Making all of this even more impressive was Nagle's relatively small stature. "He was a bag of bones," Passero said.
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Passero, a Bayonne resident for 45 years who retired from professional fighting in 1987, is now focused on being an instructor. When asked what he likes most about running the school, he said his greatest benefit was teaching the children, many of whom have gone on to achieve great success personally and professionally. He pointed proudly to the photos of past students that line the walls. "There's a story on all of them," he said.

And he is clearly teaching his students well.

"I'm fighting five-year olds, and they're winning," he said with a smile.

One aspect of the AOKA that Passero is particularly proud of is that in order to teach at the school, you have to have been a student there, as well. "Everyone who teaches on this floor is homegrown," he said.

Passero's school offers co-ed classes for children and adults. The AOKA does not allow the breaking of bricks or boards for testing, wanting to protect the students' fingers. Not that the classes are for the faint of heart. "If you get hit, you get hit," Passero said. "This is as real as it gets."