Kemberly Guevara
Since I can remember, American Kenpo has been a fundamental part of my life. I was born and raised on Margarita Island, Venezuela, and from an early age, I was drawn to this martial art. I started practicing it at a small school in my community and fell in love with the combination of technique, philosophy, and discipline. I remember how each class was an adventure, a challenge that pushed me to be better. Little by little, I began to stand out in my categories, thanks to the dedication and effort I put into every training session and the encouragement of my instructors at the time: Sacha Danilo Fernandez, Mayelin Vivas, and Luis Eduardo Blanco Aybar. I learned not only movements and strategies but also values that shaped my character: respect, perseverance, and self-control.
My passion for sports, and Kenpo Karate in particular, led me to compete, and I soon had the opportunity to represent my country in national and international tournaments. I became part of the National Team in Venezuela, and in 2012, I represented my country at the IKC held in Holland—my greatest athletic achievement as a Kenpoist. I excelled with a 2nd place finish in Kenpo Forms and Self-Defense, two categories I have always been 1000% passionate about. That same year, and in the years that followed, I participated in international championships in Mexico, Ecuador, and Argentina, always striving to raise my country and flag to the top of the podium. Each competition was a stage to test my skills but also to demonstrate my commitment and love for this art. Over time, I accumulated titles and recognitions, but what fulfilled me most was the satisfaction of surpassing myself on every occasion.
Those years as an athlete were not easy; they required sacrifices, long hours of training, and constant focus, in addition to balancing them with my professional studies. However, each experience strengthened my determination and vision for the future—both for myself and the art.
Difficult times came to my country, and I was tempted to join a wave of migration, which allowed me to live in countries like Mexico. There, I discovered a new facet of myself—not as a competitor but as a Kenpo instructor—thanks to this experience, my life as a Kenpoist took a new direction. In 2017, I moved again, this time to Peru—a country where, to my surprise, Kenpo did not exist. This presented a great opportunity to create a precedent and found the Kenpo Peru Organization.
Since then, I have dedicated my life as a Kenpoist to bringing this art to every corner of Peru that welcomes it. My mission now is not just to teach techniques but to instill values and build a community committed to this martial art. Every class, every student, is an opportunity to plant the same passion that drove me as a child. I am building something from scratch, and that fills me with pride and purpose.
Today, at 31 years old, I have taken a new direction in my journey. I have left competitions behind to focus on teaching and expanding Kenpo Karate in a place where this art did not exist. This new territory, untouched by Kenpo, represents an exciting challenge that allows me to share everything I have learned throughout my life.
In 2023, under the guidance of my Masters Lorenzo Jimenez and David Meneffe, I received my 2nd-degree black belt. That same year, I organized the Kensa Tournament—a unique international championship in Peru entirely dedicated to American Kenpo—leaving an indelible mark and a legacy for new Kenpoists in this country.
Kenpo Karate has given me everything: discipline, perseverance, friends, and a life mission. Today, my greatest reward is seeing how this art transforms people and knowing that my legacy, far from ending, is just beginning with the new generations.
Currently, I am a professional in advertising, working nationally in Peru and internationally for other countries. However, I live for the passion of teaching the martial art that kept my life full of adrenaline. I remain a student, and every lesson learned from my Master Lorenzo Jimenez is an indelible mark on my heart.