The Martial Arts have always been a way of life for identical twin brothers, Michael and Martin McNamara. Born in Belfast, Ireland to working class parents, the Twins and their family immigrated to Canada in search of a better life. After settling in Toronto, the boys were soon drawn to the mystery of the martial arts.

They joined a karate club which specialized in an Okanowen style of karate. At this martial arts club, they met their adult mentor, Paul Morin. Paul realized the potential of the Twins, and as a result, guided them along the path of Martial Arts and the way of the world.

The Twins went on to win their honored trophies at the various international bouts in New York, Detroit, Cleveland and Philadelphia.

When karate had nothing more to offer the Twins, they in turn extended their horizons to that of Kung Fu, Tolefoot, Hung Gar and Do Pie. The Twins, along with Tony Veceit, Ron Throush, Peter Robinson and Lung Wong, would be covered in sweat from the vigorous work outs while outside the parades for the United Way in Chinatown and the demonstrations of Kung Fu in the street with the crowds of people on the sidewalks and roof tops set a wondrous backdrop. After several years of experience, the Twins advanced to the point of being two of the first non-Orientals in North America to be awarded the Masters Red Sash. With this stature, in 1972 the Twins opened the first of their Twin Dragon schools (there are now eight) in Ontario, Canada.

That was thirty years ago! Some of the original members were Louie Gulliani and Dave Paul, who are still with the club. They are now teachers at their own Twin Dragon clubs, and continue to maintain the high standards of the Twin Dragon organization.

Eventually, the Twins synthesized Kung Fu with Kick Boxing and continued to produce excellent students and teachers. The Twins have cornered the mark in the Kick Boxing industry and have produced World Champions like: Rico Tatangelo, Mike Reid, Chantal Nadon, Leo Loucks, Peter Freer, Paul Biafore and Rob Borden, North American Champion, Tomasz Trojanowski and Canadian Champions, Roger Ying, Jason Battiste and Steve Shultz.

The Twin Dragon Clubs offer various classes, meeting the needs of students who want to get in shape by doing the rigorous floor classes, or to the individuals who want full contact in the ring. With the professional instruction from the Twin Dragons, students will be able to take care of himself or herself in or out of the ring.

With still more yet to accomplish, the Twins set their sites on the world of action filmmaking. They began as stunt-men and had moderate success in supporting roles with such well-known actors as Kate Jackson, Tony Curtis, Elliot Gould and Arthur Hill, Billy Blanks, Jean Claude Van Damme, Roddy Pipper.

Still not satisfied, the Twins formed their own film company and undertook the production of their own movies. With all the same dedication, determination and perseverance it took to succeed in the martial arts, the Twins have been quite successful in their film ventures!

To date the Twins have released two films, Twin Dragon Encounter and Dragon Hunt and await the release of their third, The Real Twin Dragons.

The Twins are also the top Kick-Boxing promoters in North America presenting numerous live kick-boxing events every year.

Beginning as humble promoters, the Twins put on several successful shows without incident or injury before the Government, in its infinite wisdom, decided to slap a six-month moratorium on the sport while it studied its safety. Well, that six months turned into six long years and it was in September 1994 that the Twins brought back the sport in their own grand fashion. A highly publicized show that attracted approximately 7,000 people to Lamport Stadium in Toronto.

Since then, the Twins have parlayed that successful return into many more shows including a 1995 pay-per-view television special and most recently several TSN productions of Kick-Boxing at it's best! The sport has survived in Canada and actually flourished due to the hard work and dedication of the McNamara twins.

The Twin's battle with the Ontario Athletics Commission for the right to Kick-Box in Ontario is ongoing but they refuse to give up on their sport and their livelihoods!   Stay tuned.......

To join a Twin Dragon club, click here!