Movies They're Just My Friends | Books They're Just My Friends | |
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Early life
Patrick A. I. Nwamu (aka Prince Punchin' Pat and The Karate King) was born on August 10, 1972 in New York University Hospital, located in Manhattan, New York City. He was born to Patrick and Grace Nwamu, members of the Nigerian Royal Family of Asaba. Patrick grew up on West 231st Street in the Bronx and began studying martial arts and boxing at the age of 6. During his early childhood in the early 1980s he suffered from gang violence in the Bronx; therefore, He decided to learn how to defend himself with his hands. After watching many films starring Chuck Norris, Bruce Lee and Jim Kelly, Patrick was inspired to become a martial arts actor. After surviving prison, the streets of the Bronx and the everyday struggles of young African-American men, Patrick decided that higher education, TV/film production and professional combat/martial arts would be his life and future.
Contents
- Early life
- Education and amateur boxing career
- World championship titles
- Coaching
- Executive martial arts career
- Acting and production
- Commercial work
- Music videos
- Feature film
- Philanthropic organizations
- Hobbies
- Languages
- Family lineage
- References
Education and amateur boxing career
After many years of training in various styles of combat around the world, Patrick was accepted to Georgia Military College in 1998 and began amateur boxing as a student athlete. Patrick won the 1998 Georgia State Amateur Boxing Championship as well as the 1998 and 1999 Golden Gloves Heavyweight Championships sanctioned by USA Boxing, representing Georgia and New York, respectively. Subsequent to receiving a contract to turn professional, Patrick left school to begin his pro career after competing in the 2000 Olympic boxing West Coast trials.
World championship titles
As a professional fighter, Prince Punchin’ Pat went on to win 3 world titles in 3 different styles of combat within a 9-year span making him the first Prince on record to ever do so.
Coaching
Prince Patrick Nwamu has spent many years as a licensed coach, teaching in various styles of combat:
With all his years of coaching and competing on a world class championship level combined with significant contributions to martial arts including his creation of Kwab-Je (Nigeria’s national martial art and freestyle fight sport), Patrick Nwamu, in 2011, was bestowed the highest honor of Professor and title of World Champion Grandmaster by the Intercontinental Union of Kwab-Je which also acts as the Nigerian Executive Board representing the World Karate/Kickboxing Association (WKA).
Executive martial arts career
In 2016, Patrick A. I. Nwamu was appointed Nigerian National President/Chief of Operations representing the World Karate/Kickboxing Association (WKA).
Acting and production
After many years in TV/film production and as a long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild, Patrick worked on various projects such as:
Commercial work
Music videos
Feature film
This film was a biopic about Patrick’s life and was written, produced and released by his own company Punchin' Pat Productions. This was his debut as writer, executive producer and leading man.
After the release of his film, Patrick was contacted by Rosedog Books (Dorrance Publishing) and was offered the opportunity to turn his screenplay into a published book; which he did. The book is also titled They’re Just My Friends.
Philanthropic organizations
Patrick is an active member of the Royal Arch Free and Accepted Masons, an international organization that donates up to $1 million per day to children's Shriner hospitals and other children’s causes around the world. Patrick is constantly growing and evolving within the Masonic fraternity and is always looking for new philanthropic opportunities to support.
Hobbies
Patrick is a long time motorcycle enthusiast and is a lifetime member of the International HOG Club (Harley Owners Group) as well as a member of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA).
Languages
Patrick Nwamu speaks three languages fluently:
Family lineage
Patrick A. I. Nwamu comes from the Royal Family of Asaba and descends from a long line of Kings (Asagbas) listed here:
In 2009, Patrick was crowned Crown Warrior Prince of the Kingdom of Asaba by his people for his accomplishments in professional combat/martial arts and his observance and promotion of Asaba traditions and customs.