A LOT OF YOU KNOW THAT CYNTHIA ROTHROCK IS A GOOD FRIEND OF KAJUKENBO. SHE WENT TO CHINA WITH GRANDMASTER ERIC LEE, MYSELF AND MANY TOP KAJUKENBO BLACK BELTS IN 2005 AND HAS BEEN TO SIJO'S EVENT IN LV.
WHO KNOWS SHE MITE SHOW UP AT SIJO'S EVENT THIS YEAR......
Martial arts achievements
She is five-time (and undefeated) World Karate Champion in forms and weapons between 1981 and 1985. These categories are not combat-oriented, being displays of fluidity of movement rather than fighting, and are therefore not segregated into male and female categories but fully open to both sexes.[1]
She holds six Black belts in various Far Eastern martial disciplines, including Tang Soo Do (also "tangsudo", Korean), Tae Kwon Do (Korean), Eagle Claw (Chinese), Wu Shu (contemporary Chinese), Northern Shaolin (classical Chinese), and Pai Lum Tao Kung Fu (contemporary Chinese). She received her sixth degree black belt in Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan in 2006 and was tested by Grand Master Robert Kovaleski, 7th Dan and chair of the I.T.M.A. She also works as a martial arts instructor and her favorite weapons are the hook swords.[2]
Film career
Northern California was her home in 1983 where she worked with the West Coast Demonstration Team. At this time Golden Harvest was searching in Los Angeles for the next Bruce Lee. Rothrock's forms and maneuvers were observed and Golden Harvest signed a contract with her. It was two years (1985) later that she made her first martial arts movie for them, Yes, Madam (also known as Police Assassins or In the Line of Duty Part 2) which also starred Michelle Yeoh. It proved to be a box office success. She ended up staying in Hong Kong until 1988 doing seven films there. She may be the first Caucasian actress that ever had a lead role in a Chinese film as a heroine. At the time, the typical role for Caucasians was cast as either as a villain or as comic relief.
Rothrock became one of the few Caucasian performers to achieve genuine stardom in the local Hong Kong film industry before achieving success in their own country. Producer Pierre David initiated Rothrock's move to the American turf. David offered her a costarring role with Chad McQueen in Martial Law, Rothrock's first U.S. production. For the next ten years she led a successful career in B-grade action movies. Her films include China O'Brien and China O'Brien 2, Guardian Angel, Honor & Glory, No Retreat, No Surrender 2 and Prince of the Sun amongst a roster of thirty films.
Rothrock also appeared as Bertha Jo in the 1997 television film The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion. She was an inspiration for the video game character Sonya Blade[3] from the Mortal Kombat series and lent her voice on the animated series Eek the Cat.
Rothrock's stated that, "throughout my life, I've been opening the door for other women to get involved with [martial arts films]. I was the first woman to be on the cover of a karate magazine and the first woman to win a men's championship."
Personal life
Cynthia has a daughter named Skyler. She works as a martial arts teacher[4] and co-owns a martial arts studio in Studio City, California as part of the United Studios of Self Defense chain of martial arts studios[5].
[edit] Filmography
1985- 24 Hours to Midnight
1985- Defend Yourself/Sybervision
1985- Yes, Madam
1986- Millionaire's Express (Shanghai Express)
1986- No Retreat, No Surrender 2
1986- Righting Wrongs (aka Above the Law)
1987- Magic Crystal
1988- The Inspector Wears Skirts (aka Top Squad)
1988- Righting Wrongs II: Blonde Fury
1988- China O'Brien
1988- China O'Brien 2
1989- Triple Cross (aka Angel of Fury)
1989- Martial Law
1989- Prince of the Sun
1990- Deadliest Art: Best of the Martial Arts Films
1990- Free Fighter
1990- Fast Getaway
1990- Martial Law 2: Undercover
1990- Lady Dragon
1990- Tiger Claws
1990- Rage and Honor
1991- Honor and Glory
1991- Rage and Honor 2
1991- Lady Dragon 2
1992- RAGE AND HONOR
1992- City Cops (Beyond the Law)
1993- Irrisistible Force
1993- Guardian Angel
1994- Undefeatable
1994- Bloody Mary Killer
1994- Fast Getaway 2
1994- Eye for an Eye
1995- Tiger Claws 2
1996- Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (TV)
1996- Sworn to Justice (formerly Blond Justice)
1996- Checkmate
1996- Night Vision
1996- The Encyclopedia of Martial Arts-Martial Combat
1997- The Hostage
1997- The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!
1997- American Tigers
1999- Tiger Claws 3
2000- Manhattan Chase
2001- Redemption
2002- Outside the Law
2003- Bala Perdida
2004- Xtreme Fighter (aka Sci-Fighter)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynthia_Rothrock
