It’s just after 6:30p.m. on a Thursday night at American Top Team in Coconut Creek. Instructor Steve Bruno leads the class of about 40 students performing jumping jacks, pushups, hurricane punches and various drills. Sifu John Rivera is completely focused on his training.
“You have to be in that zone, do not sidetrack, maintain focus from day one,” said Rivera.
Rivera was born in Trenton, NJ on June 23, 1967. He interrupted his mother’s dinner since she went into labor a few months early. He grew up poor – which lead him into difficult life situations. Then Martial Arts found him.
Rivera’s Martial Arts career began when he was only nine years old. He watched a Bruce Lee movie which inspired him to start Kung Fu. He began studying under Master Steve Chambliss, Sensei James Lee and Sensei Kyum Lee in the styles of Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do. At age 15, he started training Northern Shaolin Kung Fu under Chaantzu Ismail Saadat, who took Rivera under his wing. Rivera credits Master Saadat for leading him down a righteous path.
“Martial Arts has kept me out of trouble, alive and afloat,” said Rivera, “It has shown me how to deal with relationships, negativity, financial and emotional issues.”
In 1981, Rivera started competing in competitions and exhibitions all over the world. He won numerous competitions including weapons, forms, point sparring, continuous sparring, full contact sparring, kick boxing and San shou.
Rivera moved to South Florida in 2006, where he continued his training in the art of Choy Lah Fut under Sifu Raiden Leung and Master Li Siu Hung.
In 2007, Rivera returned home to visit Master Sadaat and was awarded with the title of “Sifu.” He says, “Having a title means being a role model, you must uphold high ethics, honesty, respect and loyalty. A person makes a title, a title does not make a person.”
Rivera still keeps in touch with Master Sadaat and goes back home to support him every couple of months. He affirms, “If he needs me for anything, I will be there.”
In September 2008, Rivera joined American Top Team. After he attended Back Alley Brawl 2, Rivera realized he could also be competing at an amateur level.
Instructor Steve Bruno supports Rivera’s goals claiming he picks fighters based on their ethics. “It’s about their mentality more than physical. They have to have the discipline to get up and train everyday, it has to be in their heads and in their hearts or they break.”
Rivera fought at First Strike this past July, dominated his opponent and taking the win by way of knock out. Rivera was given the nick name “Musclebot” shortly following this fight. Since then, Rivera’s been increasing his undefeated record to 3 – 0, and is preparing for his upcoming amateur title fight taking place in February at First Strike: Friday Night Fights.
“I feel positive in my instructors that whatever I’m faced with, I can overcome,” said Rivera.
He’s dropping down from his normal fight weight of 145lbs to fight in a 135lbs bout. Coach Bruno’s goal is to make sure his fighters are up-to-speed and very disciplined with their diets. Some fighters lose power when they drop to lower weight classes, but the Musclebot claims he will only be “more fierce.”
Rivera continues to push his Martial Arts to the highest level, including a possible professional fighting career in Muay Thai or Mixed Martial Arts. He prides himself on being a traditionalist who does not inter mix Martial Art styles and hopes to one day open up a traditional Kung Fu academy, alongside an MMA school.
It’s been more than 30 years since Rivera started his Martial Arts career. Since then, he’s been inducted into multiple Halls of Fame, participated in Martial Arts movies, and currently holds the offices of Executive Vice President for the World Organization of Martial Arts, as well as, the Executive Director of the South East Martial Arts Association. So how does he have time to keep up with it all?
“It’s up to the individual to make time with a balance of life. Without balance you will not succeed,” said Rivera, “I have a willingness to succeed over any obstacle.”
Learn more about Sifu John Rivera at www.sifujohnrivera.com.
Rivera’s timeline of success:
1996 – Appointed to the United States National Karate Team
2000 – Became the only American to receive an award for Outstanding Performer, presented by the Venerable Monk Shi Golin at the Taji Legacy 2000.
2005 – Performed in a four star rated arts film titled “Dinner With An Assassin”
2007 – Inducted into the Southeastern Martial Arts Hall of Fame (Golden Achievement Award)
2008 – Inducted into the Southeastern Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Davie, FL (Master Instructor of the Year)
2008 – Awarded “Sifu Warrior Honor” in the United States Head of Family Martial Arts Association
Natalie Perez-Poulos has a love for Martial Arts and practices Kung Fu, Muay Thai Kick-boxing, and Krav Maga on a daily basis, at the Martial Arts Training Academy of Hollywood. She received her Black Belt in November 2009. Natalie graduated with a Bachelor's Degree from the College of Journalism at the University of Florida and went on to complete her Master's Degree in Business Administration. 
I would like to thank the Martial Arts Times for giving me the exposure on your unique publication. This is a great opportunity for me that can open doors in my martial arts career. I truly believe that if you have the will to succeed that all is possible.
Sincerely,
Sifu John Rivera
Great Article keep up the work!
Great post. Good to see another Northern Shaolin brother make good!
Muay Thai Title Fight Feb. 26th Sifu John Rivera aka “The Musclebot” (American Top Team Coconut Creek, FL) vs. MJ Holland (Palm Beach Boxing Gym West Palm Beach, FL). Look forward to the best Muay Thai venue ever.. Stay tune for further updates…