Grand Master Delford Fort started Martial Arts in 1967, after the riot in Detroit, Michigan. His mother wanted something to keep him off the streets and to stress discipline. In those days, everyone was learning from soldiers returning from Vietnam. They taught Korean Karate (now known as Tae-Kwon-Do). Several youth centers were teaching some form or another of Gung-Fu (Kung-Fu, Wu Shu). Mr. Fort was taught Wing Chun under Master Hotz (a 70 year old brick layer), who saw something special in Mr. Fort. Master Hotz closed his class and only instructed Fort in the way of longevity.
After receiving a black belt at an early age and the death of Master Hotz, Fort began training where he could. His mother enrolled him into a Tae-Kwon-Do Ji-Do-Kwan school under Mr. Tommy Cummings, who studied the martial arts while stationed in Seoul Korea earning a black belt. He later learned from the greats such as: Howard Jackson, Michael Jones (a student of the great Moses Powell). Grandmaster Fort has studied over the years AiKi Ju Jitsu, Judo, Shotokan, Wrestling, and currently holds the title MKU (Master) under the Alkebu-Lan Martial Arts Federation. By combining these disciplines, Master Fort created his own system called Yochin-Ryu (System of Circles and Angles).
Master Fort sits on the board of directors of the following organizations: I.C.E (individual Conquering Excellence) , He was inducted into the Youth Karate-Ka Hall of Fame Grandmaster Jacky King of Flint Mi. Presented with the following awards: ATA Appreciation award by Kyooshi Kevin Bolden; Community Award presented by Mfudishi Ahati Kilindi IYI; presented the title of Elder of the T'ai Ka-Ku-Chi system under Grandmaster Andre Hightower; Life Time Achievement award from the Dragon 8 fighting system under Great Grandmaster Robb "The Dragon" Hogan; . Mr. Fort is a former member of the AKA (American Karate Association), USKA (United States karate Assoc), and is now a former member of the MSKC (Michigan Sport Karate Circuit) now the GLKC (Great Lakes Karate Circuit) as a promoter of karate tournaments (The Spirit of Detroit National Karate Championships). 2009 present one of the highest awards given the convenant Spirit of Detroit award signed by all city council members.
Master Fort has a very impressive tournament record having won over 100 Grand Championships and over 400 trophies, including several hundred awards for his contributions to the Martial Arts. His greatest Grand Championship trophy was won in 1982 in Detroit, MI at Wayne State University. A bare knuckle full contact no blood disqualification tournament held by the Great Kajana Cetshwayo (Master instructor of the belts of Kenpo), which is described as people getting knocked out all over the tournament floor. And the Yellow Tigers students since conception in 1973 has won over 10,000 trophies and awards. Master Fort has Body Guarded celebrities and toured the world such as: Prince, Run DMC, CECE Penniston, Luther Vandross, Snoop Doggy Dog, Ki Ci & JoJo, Jodeci and the list goes on as well as some fight choregraphy for music videos and small budget motion pictures films.
When karate novice Delford Fort transformed his mother's Westside Detroit basement into a training facility over three decades ago. He only wanted to share what he learned about martial arts in an effort to deter his neighborhood friends from the lure of fast money (selling drugs or gang affiliation). What came from this inspiration, were seven inner city black belts and the inception of Yellow Tigers Karate. With the help of founding students/members: Darryl Brown, Quintin Harbin, Derrick Lacey, Jake Mines, Jack Greer, Tony Greer, Donald Hannah and a host of others. Fort built an organization that does much more than train and compete in the martial arts events . The Yellow Tigers have provided positive direction, just as they practiced themselves to literally thousands of people throughout metropolitan Detroit area.
The Yellow Tigers have existed since 1973, solely as a volunteer organization. A variety of programs at countless churches, civic and community centers have been offered over the years. In 1991, a building was donated and that is when the Yellow Tigers School of Martial Arts opened on James Couzens St. in Detroit. The school grew progressively for two years when the building was sold for future development. Since then the school has survived with the help of local organizations and the personal investment of Fort and the other black belts at the school.
As our organization has grown over the years, so have the inner-city influences of drugs, gangs and gun violence. In an effort to combat these urban ills more effectively, the Yellow Tigers were incorporated in 2005. As a non-profit organization and can now increase programs, relationships and student enrollment by capitalizing on funding sources available to non-profit organizations. Future plans include securing a building that can accommodate up to 100 students offering comprehensive martial arts, after-school and weekend tutorial services, behavior modification, conflict resolution, total wellness training and a myriad of other outreach initiatives.
The Yellow Tigers have competed locally and nationally since the early days. The entire school has traveled to various tournaments all over the Country. Currently students compete in every recognized level of events (forms, sparring and weapons) and adults to what is called urban street tactics . To date, the club has won well over 10,000 trophies across the country in various tournaments and contest. Our programs also expose students to intensive self-defense, anti-rape, don't talk to strangers, when to run and when to fight, deter Domestic violence, cardiovascular and circuit training through kick-boxing, Wrestling, Aerobics and a lot of push ups.
To this end, we encourage you to become a part of the Yellow Tigers School. Our organization can tailor our offerings to meet any need.
We also offer seminars in the following areas:
1. Anti-Rape 2. Domestic Abuse
3. Personal Protection
4. Knife/Gun Defense 5. Anti-Abduction
6. When not to fight.
