Tashi Ricky Lastra was born in Texas in 1953, and was raised in Mexico City. His love of the martial arts began in high school where he was a member of the Judo and Greco-Roman wrestling teams. He won several competitions and participated in the judo eliminatory for the 1972 Olympic Games in Germany. He also participated as a guest competitor for the National University of Mexico wrestling team (UNAM), and while studying Architecture at the University of La Salle in Mexico City, was the Judo instructor for two years.

When he returned to the United States in 1972, he continued learning Judo and Tomiki Aikido under Shihan Karl Geis in Houston, Texas. He obtained his First and Second Black Belt ranks in Judo USJA, USUII and Tomiki Aikido, his Shodan and Nidan Black Belt rankings in Jodo on Shindo Muso Ryu under the instruction of Shihan Karl Geis and Mrs. Sunako Miyaki Shihan, and participated in almost three Aikido clinics per year where he obtained a Japanese Diploma from Tsunaco Miyake Shihan. Also, he obtained a Tomiki Ryu Shodan Diploma signed by Hideo Ohba Shihan, the late President of the Tomiki-Ryu Aikido Association of Japan.

In 1984, after several years in Houston, Tashi Ricky, along with his wife Mercedes, and children Michaelle and Elaine moved to Miami, Florida, with the hopes of seeking a better job in a Hispanic area better suited for his retired in-laws. In Miami, Tashi Ricky took on the martial arts once again and spent a short time studying Tae Kwon Do. Since 1998, he has been studying under the instruction of Doctor Philip Chenique, the creator and founder of Atemi Ryu Jujitsu and Chendokan Aikido. In 2004, Tashi Ricky obtained the Shodan black belt ranking in Atemi Ryu Jujitsu, as well as a Sandan rank in Chendokan Aikido earning the title of Taishi. Tashi Ricky also has a Shodan in Sanuces Ryu Jujitsu signed by the late Master Moses Powell.

Throughout his studies under Doctor Chenique, Tashi Ricky has currently being practicing the sword art of Aido, the stick art of Jo, the knife and Arnis. He also has earned various belts in “Anti-Terrorist Camp” under Olaf Tashi from Germany. Tashi Ricky is part of the Fugakukai International Organization, now known as Kihara under his former instructor, Mr. Karl Geis. He has been promoted steadily in ranking and currently holds a Rokudan in Tomiki Aikido (six degree Black Belt).

In addition to his love of the martial arts, Tashi Ricky earned a college degree as a Commercial Artist, and has worked as a diesel technician for the Caterpillar dealers in Houston and Miami for over 32 years. He is a certified fitness instructor through ISSA, (International Sports and Science Association), and a police tactics certified instructor under Police Tactics Instructors of America.

Certified Fitness Trainer ISSA
Certified Police Tactics Instructor under Police Tactics Instructors of America
Certificate of Aikido Clinic held from Tsunako Miyake Shihan
Belts on Anti-terror Camp under Olaf Van Ellen
Belt in Tae Kwon Do
Tae Kwon Do Referee Certification
Belt on Ken Jitsu Two Moons School
Certificate from Cane Masters
Certificate of Rank, Tomiki Aikido (Ideo Ohba), First degree Black Belt
Certificate of Rank, Atemi Ryu Jujitsu, First degree Black Belt
Certificate of Rank, Sanuces Ryu Jujitsu, First degree Black Belt
Certificate of Rank, Chendokan Aikido, Third degree Black Belt
Certificate of Rank, Fugakukai Jodo, Second degree Black Belt
Certificate of Rank, USJA Judo, First degree Black Belt
Certificate of Rank, USJII Judo, Second degree Black Belt
Certificate of Rank, KG Kihara Tomiki Aikido, Sixth Degree Black Belt

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