Published: February 07, 2007 11:56 am      

Karate Demonstration

Karate champion Bill 'Superfoot' Wallace brings motivational message to Frostburg

FROSTBURG - A world champion karate expert whose kicks have been clocked at more than 60 mph and who once taught Elvis Presley was in Frostburg recently to teach more than 70 students about kicking, punching and building self-confidence.

Bill "Superfoot" Wallace, so named because of the speed of his left leg, believes the benefits of martial arts go beyond building athleticism.

"You walk with more confidence because you're not afraid of things," Wallace said. "You respect people more because you understand what they can do, too."

That confidence and respect - both for oneself and other people - was illustrated by way of a former student. The boy had a terrible stuttering problem and "had no self-confidence" when he began training with Wallace. But within a year, he "became more boisterous (and) ... confident" enough to win a national karate title. "He gained the confidence. He gained the respect," Wallace said.

Rick Rando booked Wallace one year ago. Because of his "Pied Piper" personality, Rando believed his students would benefit both from Wallace's expertise and charisma.

"Kids are drawn to him," Rando said. "We want our students to learn from the best. He's a world champion and recognized as one of the best kickers in the world." The owner of Kick Masters Karate Systems, Rando paid Wallace to come and train students here.

Wallace's 15-year career includes such titles as "undefeated Professional Karate As-sociation middleweight champion," for a 12-round bout where he beat Bill Biggs, and after 23 straight victories in 1980, three-time U.S. Championships winner, three-time USKA Grand Nationals and twice as a Top Ten Nationals champ.

What he is best known for is the super strength and speed of his left leg. After learning judo in the U.S. Air Force, he tore a ligament in his right knee, which left him unable to do the required judo moves. "You have to have strong legs, because they (opponents) try to trip you," Wallace said.

But then he found karate - which he could do even with a bad right knee. "Just kick with your left leg," Wallace said an instructor told him.

"Instead of kicking 20,000 times with each leg, I just kicked 40,000 times with my left leg," Wallace said. Being left-handed made it easier, "because the coordination was already there," leaving him only to "train the muscle groups for coordination, flexibility and balance."

Using his famous left leg, Wallace conducted a four-hour seminar Saturday where he taught both children and adult students proper stretching methods and their effect on various muscles groups. They also learned all styles of leg kicks and kick boxing, a boxing style where punches are thrown with the fists.

Bishop Walsh School student Alex Burton, 13, attended the event. Burton, a first cue brown belt, said Wallace's telegraphing techniques were "particularly inspiring." In karate, telegraphing is faking a move, which Wallace said is done to distract one's opponent, so you can then deliver a blow to a different body part.

"You try to keep relaxed and just move the part of the body you're going to (use)," Burton said.

Technique made Wallace famous as he became adept at knocking out his opponents with one solid kick. Using telegraphing, Wallace would deliver a series of rapid fake kicks - and then move in for the final blow. It was a side kick that would "knock the wind out of them." Wallace said this principle comes from an old boxing adage, "You kill the body, the head falls off."

Technique is important, but Rando said children especially appreciate Wallace's character traits. "He's a lot of fun to be with ... he's silly and ... dynamic."

Megan Shaffer, a 10-year-old junior black belt from Carpendale, W.Va., said she really enjoyed interacting with Wallace. "He is an awesome guy to be around."

Rando said "you'd never know" that Wallace is a celebrity, because of his modesty, and that he relates well to children. "He leads by influence rather than authority ... (and) he's not afraid to come down to their level."

Wallace's future in the martial arts was once in doubt after he injured his "good" leg in a competition.

"I could feel nothing in my left leg for about three weeks," Wallace said. It was 1973, and he was running a school so legendary crooner Elvis, along with family and friends, could learn karate. Elvis flew an acupuncturist to Graceland, where Wallace was treated with "18 needles ... and Xylokaine and 15 minutes later, it was as good as new," he said.

In addition to his friendship with Elvis, the karate expert has been named to Black Belt magazine's Hall of Fame three times in seven years, and through his work in the film industry, he has acted with such notables as Chuck Norris, Jackie Chan, John Belushi and Mickey Rourke.

Wallace was also a member of the President's Council on Physical Fitness, and has authored three books.

Daleen Berry can be reached at dberry@times-news.com.