Frank Dux

Frank Dux (pronounced "dukes") is the founder of the amalgamated martial art Dux Ryu Ninjutsu, claiming to be the first American-born form of Ninjutsu. He is perhaps best known as the protagonist portrayed by Jean-Claude Van Damme in the biopic Bloodsport. Dux' style is philosophically based upon the acronym FASST, standing for "Focus, Action, Skill, Strategy, and Tactics." Dux is also an author, actor, playwright and fight choreographer. He has been accused of making false and exaggerated claims of elite U.S. military and CIA service to embellish his credentials and market himself.

Biography

Vorlage:Expand Hanshi Frank W. Dux was born in Toronto, Canada in 1956 and moved to North Hollywood, California when he was seven years old. Has a younger brother, Steven. His father, Albert Dux, served in the British Army starting in 1939. Mother is of Hungarian decent. According to Dux, he was introduced to and trained in Koga Yamabushi Ninjitsu by neighbor Senzo "Tiger" Tanaka at age 13. Studied Jujitsu under World Jujitsu Champion, Jack Seki (Who was taught by Jiguro Kano, the founder of Judo) Frank Dux also studied with Bill Ryusaki, who trained with Bruce Lee. Became a US Marine in 1975. In 1978 he opened his first official school, Dux Ninjitsu, at 12504 Magnolia Blvd. North Hollywood, California.In late 1984 the second location was opened at 21722 Ventura Blvd. Woodland Hills, California. At this time in the late 1980s he lived in Woodland Hills, California. Both schools are no longer in operation. He currently lives around Seattle, Washington.

Controversy

Dux has been a controversial figure in the martial arts community as the validity of many of his personal claims have been disputed publicly. First, he claims to be the winner of a secret underground no-holds-barred martial arts competition, The Kumite, as profiled in the movie Bloodsport. This was disputed in a May 1998 Los Angeles Times article that reported that Dux's displayed Kumite trophy was ordered and picked up just a few miles from Dux's Southern California home. Dux, in rebuttal, states that the LA Times used a receipt with an incorrect spelling of his name to back up their claim. Dux also claims the date on the receipt is 3 years after his Kumite Trophy appeared with him in a featured article in Black Belt Magazine in November of 1980.

In his book The Secret Man (1996, ReganBooks), Dux states that Director of Central Intelligence William Casey approached him to become a contract paramilitary agent for the Central Intelligence Agency in missions around the world. In a November 1998 article titled "Stolen Valor: Profiles of a Phony-Hunter," Soldier of Fortune magazine accused him of falsifying his military record. Photos of him in uniform are presented as showing both Army and Marine decorations and medals, inconsistent with his personal statements. Dux, in rebuttal, has stated that the pictures were from a costume party and not indicative of his past record.

"Kumite" (film)

Dux wrote a follow-up script to Bloodsport, entitled "The Kumite". It revisited Bloodsport's plot, but with a bigger budget. Dux's friend at the time, Jean-Claude Van Damme, would again play the lead, and allegedly agreed that Dux would receive a share of the profits from the sequel. Dux had his own agreement with another company to write the screenplay for "Kumite", however, he earned nothing because the company went bankrupt. After slow progress, another screenwriter reworked the script into The Quest. Meanwhile Dux successfully filed a complaint with the Writers Guild of America and was awarded both a writing credit and $50,000. In 1998, Dux then sued Van Damme for breach of oral contract, but ultimately lost the suit in court. Dux's friends said some of his claims were not true and the "testimony damaged Dux's credibility."

Bibliography

• Dux, Frank & Dr. Mark D. Selner. "Unlocking Power: Keys to Success", in Black Belt, September 1980 Volume 18 #9, 46-50:58.
• Dux, Frank. "Self Defense Against Knives", in Black Belt, October 1980 V.18 #10, 30-34.
• Dux, Frank. The Secret Man: An American Warrior's Uncensored Story (ReganBooks, 1996) ISBN 0060391529 and ISBN 978-0060391522
• Stewart, John. "Kumite: A Learning Experience", in Black Belt, November 1980 v. 18 #11, 28-34, 91.
• Various, Letters to the Editor in Black Belt, Yearbook 1980, Vol. 19 #1: 94.
• Klein, Michelle. "Frank Dux: The Man Behind the Legend", in Inside Kung Fu Presents: The Complete Guide to Ninja Training, May 1987: 48-53.
• Dux, Frank & Gordon F. Richiusa. "The Guide to Ninjutsu Knife Fighting", in Inside Kung Fu Presents: The Complete Guide to Ninja Training, July 1987: 76-79.
• John Johnson: NINJA: Hero or Master Fake? Others Kick Holes in Fabled Past of Woodland Hills Martial Arts Teacher, Los Angeles Times, 1. Mai 1988 Valley Edition, Metro, Part 2, Page 4.
• "Full Mental Jacket" in Soldier of Fortune, August 1996
• Bailey, Larry. "Stolen Valor: Profiles of a Phony Hunter" in Soldier of Fortune, November 1998: 58-61, 73.

External links

• http://www.frank-dux.com/ - Frank Dux's official site
• Frank Dux's MySpace page
• http://www.chasingthefrog.com/reelfaces/bloodsport.php - The Real Frank Dux (including 1 hour radio interview)
• Will The Real Frank Dux Please Stand Up? - Includes Dux's follow-up comments on the allegations that suggest he is a fraud (June 4, 2008)
• Frank Dux's FASST Official Website and Registry of Licensed FASST/Dux Ryu Instructors
• Frank Dux's International Spy Shop