Professor Tommy Gilbert opened B.I.T.W, Best In The West, Martial Arts Academy in 1987 in his backyard (San Leandro, CA). Martial Arts had been one of his passions from being introduced to the craft at 19 years old while stationed in Thailand with The United States Air Force. After four years of training under Master Kim he received his Brown belt (Tae kwon do). Once Professor Tommy Gilbert returned to the States he was stationed in Bilioxi, Mississippi where he began to train with Jim Miller of the American Taekwondo Institute.  Settling back in the Bay Area he started his Kajukenbo journey under the teachings of Sifu Bill Owens and later Grand Master Ted Sotelo. On September 7, 1980 Professor  Tommy Gilbert received his black belt and began to compete on the National Black Belt fighting circuit with some of the country’s best fighters such as Steve “Nasty” Anderson, Keith Vitali , Alvin Prouder and Bill (Super Foot) Walton. In 1987 when Professor Tommy Gilbert decided to open his own school his goal was to empower his students with the necessary tools to achieve long life and happiness.

In 1982 Professor Tommy Gilbert successfully completed the Oakland Police department’s 104th Academy, and was hired as an Oakland Police Officer. Professor Tommy Gilbert served the community he was raised in for several years dedicating his life for the better. Professor Tommy Gilbert had the uncanny ability to motivate, inspire and make his students and anyone around him believe in their abilities. With that being said, he produced 8 World Champions, 5 men and 3 women totaling 25 world titles won. Thanks to his years of training with some of the best instructors and fighting with the best fighters he was able to get modafinil of expertise into his students. Professor Tommy Gilbert was definitely proud of his World Champions, but he was even more proud of the 2,500 plus students that trusted him to guide and train them to be the best martial artist that they could be. On February 3, 2009 we lost Professor Tommy Gilbert, however we will forever thank him and promise to keep his values, passions, and legacy alive.