Datu
Timothy J. Hartman
After
the passing of the founder of Modern Arnis, Grand Master Remy
Amador Presas, Datu Tim Hartman became the most sought after
instructor of this dynamic martial art. Datu Hartman currently
conducts seminars throughout the United States and Canada, as
well as England, Germany, Sweden and Denmark.
Tim
Hartman has had a long and exciting martial arts career. His
journey started as a teenager when he started training at a Modern
Arnis school and fell in love with the art from the very first
class. It wasn’t long before he caught the eye of Professor
Presas. After Tim earned his brown belt Grand Master Presas took
him as his personal student and protégé. Not long
after this Grand Master Presas had Hartman assist him at seminars
and camps throughout the United States and Germany. In time Professor
Presas took to calling Tim “anak,” the word for “son” in
the Tagalog dialect of the Philippines.
Impressed
with Hartman’s technical skills, Professor Presas started
trusting Tim with administrative duties. He directed Tim to form
the Can-Am (Canadian – American) chapter of the International
Modern Arnis Federation in order to help develop schools along
the Canadian American border. As Can-Am’s director Hartman
was able to positively impact the development of instructors
throughout the region.
After
establishing a successful instructors development program Hartman
spearheaded a movement to bring Modern Arnis to the competitive
arena by taking members of his youth program to the local tournaments.
On their first outing his team dominated the sparring divisions.
Soon they hosted and competed in full contact tournaments and
weapons matches. Hartman himself became an international tournament
champion, a tournament promoter, and a popular referee throughout
the US, Canada, Scandinavia, and England.
Following his venture into the sport world, Hartman put his focus back on the
art of Modern Arnis and continued his development as an instructor. Working
with Professor Presas around North America and Europe also allowed Tim to study
other systems with some of the best instructors in the martial arts world.
Among these are Grand Master Wally Jay, Grand Master Ron Van Browning, and
Dr. Maung Gyi. Eventually Hartman met one of Professor Presas’ classmates
from the Philippines, Balintawak Escrima Grand Master Ted Buot. With Professor
Presas’ blessings Grand Master Buot took Tim on as a personal student.
Tim’s
proudest moment was during his 6th degree black belt test at
the 2000 Michigan Modern Arnis Camp. Following the test Professor
Presas announced that Hartman’s promotion was the highest
tested belt in over 17 year’s. Professor Presas added that
this made Tim his top ranked student in the United States. He
also awarded Hartman the title of Datu (chieftain or leader).
There have only been six people in the world awarded this title
by Remy Presas.
After
Professor Presas’ retirement due to illness Hartman formed
the WMAA (World Modern Arnis Alliance) in order to preserve and
continue the progression of the art of Modern Arnis. He is currently
the WMAA’s President and Technical Director.
The
World Modern Arnis Alliance's Board of Directors promoted Tim
Hartman to 9th degree black belt on June 4th, 2005. On April
23, 2007 Datu Hartman was promoted to 9th degree in Kombatan
and awarded the Grandmaster title by Great Grandmaster Ernesto
Presas while visiting the Philippines.
The title of Modern Arnis "Grandmaster" has been reserved for Remy
A. Presas alone.
