Behind The Scenes Interview with KARATE KID's Darryl Vidal!

[@numba1stunna4269]

Darryl's contribution to Karate Kid One was nothing less than amazing.

[@johnsawyer2187]

As small a part as he had . Very impressive

[@mizoj9816]

I remember when Johnny Lawrence beat him in the tournament and I remember thinking, even as a kid. “ How in the hell did Johnny beat this guy?”

[@numba1stunna4269]

@@mizoj9816 LOL

[@Narutoboi1978]

Xander too

[@tagsan3834]

Lmao I don't even remember him and i've watched the movie like half a dozen times

[@MrYoumitube]

This guy is probably the most talented fighter on Karate Kid, honestly, I remember watching this as a kid in the 80's. Honestly up to that time in 80's the only fighters doing jumping spin kicks were Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan ..so when he fought Johnny and lost, I was like yeh right!!! This guy is 10 levels up...I hope Ralph can give him a spot on Cobra Kai??

[@WiiMan25]

In Cobra Kai, they reveal that Vidal actually beat Johnny in a previous tournament before the one in the original movie. So Johnny beating him in the movie was actually him getting even.

[@Demon_Curse]

@@WiiMan25 Vidal beat Johnny in 81. Don't know if Vidal competed in 82, but 82 is the first year Johnny won. Tommy beat Vidal in 83, sending him into 3rd place. Johnny then beat Tommy, successfully defending his championship.

[@hawk5592]

Well By 84 many people were doing it just not famous actors and bruce lee had sadly passed away by then

[@yujirohanma6830]

Exactly what i thought when I first watched karate kid 😅

[@michaeltabor9596]

He was easily the best would have smoked anyone Bobby was 2nd he hs karate experience prior

[@darthmong7196]

It makes absolute sense for him to be at the All Valley in Cobra Kai.

[@hawk5592]

A new dojo would be awesome

[@jeyraced]

SO TRUE

[@Ian-Omega]

@@hawk5592 He was in the movie for like ten seconds calm down.

[@michaeltabor9596]

@@Ian-Omega & did lots of stunts & training you have cobra Kai eagle fang myagi Do so rhey need some other do jos his will be the 4th best dojo

[@jontubine3910]

@@Ian-Omega I think he really stood out though. I recall seeing karate kid as a child and his fluid movement and skill made him very memorable.

[@tangelanunley8061]

The ultimate badass of Karate. I hope he's in Season 4. Like 'blood ties' to Mr Myagi/Myagi-Do/Chosen. Maybe the next 'uncle'🙌🥋🙏

[@captaincaveman8532]

Are you a Pokemon? 😶

[@tangelanunley8061]

@@captaincaveman8532 🤣 I've been around alot longer than what Pokemon has. You're not the first person who's said that lol. My firstborn was watching it when it came out and she said, "Hey mom! You're a Pokemon!" And she showed me the Pokemon with my name 🤣 #mostexcellent🙌🐙🤣😂🍻

[@prvtthd401]

First time I watched karate kid I had the same reaction as everyone who saw him. He was slick, he was good, he was the real deal.

[@theox8276]

I came to this video looking for something about him. Because in The Karate Kid, Darryl is the only fighter who seems to really know what he's doing. Great work, young man!

[@RonniiV]

Wow, transitioning a Karate Kid review into an interview with Darryl is absolutely insane. Quality content!

[@jinku77]

It would be great to see him in Cobra Kai even if it just a small cameo.

[@DaveCrokaert]

I think he could be brought in to help myagi fang ... it's obvious from the first movie and also the mentions in Cobra Kai by Kreese and Johnny that Daryl and Johnny had some kind of mutual respect.

[@iowa_lot_to_travel9471]

Vidal was the only one of the actors who actually had a black belt in the martial arts, besides the referee who was Pat E Johnson. 9th dan in Tang soo do. And William Zabka's instructor

[@lizzkaayako2270]

Ron Thomas (Bobby) did, as well. His black belt was in traditional Japanese jujutsu.

[@iowa_lot_to_travel9471]

@@lizzkaayako2270 correct. But he also was not forthcoming about it at first. He admitted it only after Pat Johnson asked him about it. Pat picked up on it after watching Robs moves

[@andysloane79]

Chad McQueen (Dutch) was a black belt as well.

[@iowa_lot_to_travel9471]

@@andysloane79 interesting. But i should not be surprised Seeing as his dad trained with both Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee. Fumio Demura was the stand-in for Pat Morita. And Par Johnson was a direct student of Chuck Norris

[@wasabikun]

@@andysloane79 More Filipino spotting :-) Chad McQueen is also part-Filipino. His mother was a famous Filipino-american actress called Neile Adams.

[@woooster17]

Considering how little Darryl is on screen... his contribution was huge. Everyone remembers him as the guy who really knew Karate! 👍🏼

[@sliderx1897]

They should bring him back for season 4 at least at the tournament as a sensei of his own school or a tournament judge or something

[@dr.davidhoward3179]

As a guy with 3 black belts in 3 different disciplines, Darryl is the real deal!

[@dragondesoupe5422]

You finally found him!

[@rcbmmines4579]

2:22 Filipino Shotokan Karateka here! FMA is our national martial art but the Karate community is actually pretty huge too. We have a national team, we have many local tournaments and even I got the honor of competing internationally as well (WKF).

[@MarkS808]

As a huge fan of the Karate Kid franchise, I’ve enjoyed your reaction videos to KK1, KK2 and KK3. But this interview with Darryl Vidal is awesome! Even as a kid back when the movie first came out, we all knew that of all the characters in the movie during the tournament scenes, he was the real deal. His natural abilities and talent was very obvious. Thank you for this great interview.

[@gorgo5418]

This man was is so talented, definitely the "best in real life" fighter in the original movie, Karate Kid. Great guy too

[@ManImJustSomeDude]

Pat Morita and his family were held in a camp called Two Rivers here in Arizona. His name is commemorated on a plaque there at a memorial as he was one of the many young Japanese men that volunteered to fight for a country that put them in camps. RIP Pat.

[@Timinator-pj5tb]

I always thought he was the coolest and showed the most talent and skill in the tournament when I was a kid 😂

[@frankzappa71]

Glad you got a hold of this guy. I remember you commenting when you first saw the movie "Oh this guy is good!" I saw the movie when I was 10, and even then I knew that guy was a real deal. The guy who played Dutch, the bleached blonde dude is Steve McQueen's son. You can look up Steve McQueen when you have time, he was one of Bruce Lee's students and close friend. I have rank of Cho Dan Bo in Taekwondo, under Grandmaster Jon Chung Kim. I had to quit do to injuries in 1990 at 16 years old.

[@therealdealblues]

Very neat interview. Never really knew much about Mr. Vidal or his background but I obviously took notice of him in the movie as a kid. I remember I always thought to myself, "that guy should have won". Thanks to both of you for doing it. As a side note if you learn about Bruce Lee and his techniques and what his students like Dan Inosanto passed down with Jeet Kune Do especially for a more "street fight self defense" he modified the "wing chun straight blast" as a way to get inside in a fight. By using the straight blast he would occupy center line and get right on the person where he could deliver more "fight ending" moves for lack of a better description.

[@Devilsblood]

He needs to comeback to the series since Cobra Kai is bringing back almost all the actors.

[@foodkings-xb5op]

I started martial arts due to karate kid and especially Vidal..the first time anyone saw his jumping triple windmill kick will admit it was a jaw dropping moment...talk about blown away ....in a real tournament he would have wiped the floor with everyone..

[@darrylvidal3399]

I'm always blown away when someone says they started MA partly because of me..... so honored.

[@trustobey1016]

The unsung hero who helped Daniel beat Cobra Kai.

[@loriburnip]

Cobra kai never dies! - I'll show myself out.

[@KennyFred08]

Yusuke, I’m so glad you got the chance to interview him!

[@kevztunz]

I REALLY hope Vidal will make an appearance this season in Cobra Kai!

[@wasabikun]

Ah nice, to see him interviewed here! I have been living in the Philippines since 2015 and one of my favourite nerd pastimes is "Filipino spotting" in various classic movies. I was a child when KK came out and was convinced Vidal was an Afro-Caribbean kid. Watched it again a few years ago and, lo and behold, I recognised him as a Pinoy! He had quite a dark complexion and unusually curly hair, which makes me think his ancestry is probably from the Ilocos region, a montainous region in the northern part of Luzon island. People from that area are famous for 2 things: they're very industrious (it's where the ultimate rice farmers are found!) and they're formidable warriors. Kudos and respect to Darryl Vidal and all the less-known, unsung Hollywood heroes of Filipino heritage!

[@darrylvidal3399]

Pinoy power!

[@OCRay1]

Wow. He was actually one the first true mixed martial artists in the US in the 80’s. I was a kid in the 80’s and I remember him standing out in the movie even though he wasn’t in the movie for very long at all because he looked so good as a karate fighter. Most the others were just acting as fighters. I think the bad guy in Karate Kid 3 was also a true fighter and it showed.

[@jaymacaulay81]

This is by far my favorite interview, as of now. So much mutual respect. Informative, and entertaining! Thanks for this!

[@DingKong]

Darryl Vidal was obviously so far ahead in skill when compared to the other actors in the film. I remember watching Karate Kid for the first time and even then it was obvious that he would have won the tournament if it were real. This is a great video, very interesting and both come across so well. Nice work.

[@nightrider5109]

Holy $hit Darryl Vidal!!! When I saw TKD back in '84 I thought he was awesome as the semi finalist You needed him to show just how skilled Johnny was

[@jamierennie9099]

🎶 Your the best around🎶

[@Luhnetflixnchill]

🎶 Nothings gonna ever keep you down🎶

[@CaptainLeftHook]

Darryl Vidal influenced me a lot. He was one of the sparks that ignited my training around 1990. Became a black belt in ITF Taekwon-Do. Won several national championships in TKD and Kickboxing. Some Muay Thai and western boxing competitions too. But that was a long time ago. I'm in my late 40's now with hip replacements. Unfortunately I can't kick much anymore but boxing is still part of my weekly training. Thanks Darryl!!!

[@adambrown3918]

This was a wonderful interview! I enjoyed it immensely. Thank you so much. 😊👍

[@uttermanbo]

This guy was the most impressive fighter in the franchise. Hopefully he shows up in an important role in CK.

[@rsuriyop]

I'm not sure if this guy was even credited in the movie, which would be a damn shame. So I'm glad to see that you've given him a spotlight with this interview.

[@zenmaster7393]

Darryl really stood out the most for me, his technique was flawless.

[@madxmaxxine6552]

Really enjoyed the technique talk into his personal training. Especially you can tell Darryl is passionate about martial arts. Great interview. Keep up the great work on these videos.

[@YoukaiSlayer12]

That was great. & he’s right about when martial artists get together & exchange their thoughts & ideas. Those conversations always open up a door to better progress. It was fun watching him in the original Karate Kid movie just as it was today seeing your interview with him.

[@numba1stunna4269]

You and Darryl "are the best around!"

[@Luhnetflixnchill]

Yup

[@jonfoster9514]

Really cool that you sought out Sensei Darryl Videl after seeing him in the first KK movie and at the time not knowing who he was - great interview! I have a suggestion for another future interview of another master martial artist from the KK franchise, this one from KK part 3 - Sensei William Christopher Ford. He is a master in Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate, and other martial arts as well. He was one of Mike Barnes's henchmen in KK 3, the one who "karate chopped" the byobu when Daniel refused to sign the application. Even though at the time of the movie he was already a karate master, they didn't cast him for his character to showcase it.

[@chrisl4451]

Thank you for giving him props or thumbs up. As a young kid even I knew, ok this guy is clearly the best..no way he is not the winner, but it's a movie.

[@danielvillarreal6610]

I did Shotokan before I started Kenpo (long story!) and when I saw the Karate Kid movie, I really believe that Darryl was a Japanese stylist-maybe Shotokan-from his excellent tai sabaki (autocorrect made it “salami” but I caught it in the nick of time!). I just found out that he was also a Kenpo stylist at the same time I was and I was truly surprised.

[@SuperYutoober]

When watching KK1 in the pictures back in the 80's. You could tell Darryl Vidal was head and shoulders above the rest in skill sets.

[@r3kk3n54]

those are called windmill kicks which are staple for greenbelt level taekwondo "sport kicks"

[@ericrecano8557]

All the actors did a fine job in the Karate scenes but it was very obvious that Daryl had extensive training just in the quickness and precision in his movements-me being Filippino myself I always routed for his character in the the all valley tourney :)

[@sambaker1212]

Wonderful....keep up the great work xxxxxlove from Britain 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧❤️❤️❤️🥋🥋🥋🥋xxxxxxxx

[@ScottWinnardLetsdoBonsai]

Having Darryl play a character in the first film helped make Daniel and Johnnys Character appear to be better as they made it to the final and Darryl character didn’t and we all knew how good he was!!

[@tnazealot2143]

Great interview & was good to see him back in the Cobra Kai Karate Kid Reunion/Reunited Apart. Also another Pinoy martial arts master Dan Inosanto taught Bruce Lee Kali & other Filipino Martial Arts which he implimented into his Jeet Kune do. His daughter became Bruce Lee's God Daughter and she was in The Mandalorian Star Wars disney+ show.

[@BaiLong45]

What a great interview! Sensei Vidal has done interviews before on the Karate Kid movie. However, seeing him and Sensei Nagano discuss and compare martial arts techniques was very cool. Keep up the great work!

[@Spinpabz]

Great video! I hope we get to see Vidal in season 4 of cobra kai.

[@JasonRainwater]

So happy you two discovered each other and got to converse! 👍🏼 When I watched your Karate Kid part 1 reaction and seen you noticed Darryl Vidal’s authenticity, I was thinking how cool it would be if you knew who he actually is because he’s such a cool guy! Next thing I know, this video pops up after I watched your Karate Kid part 3 reaction! 😀 Also happy to see he watched your reaction and noticed your recognition of his skills! 😉 Thank you both for sharing your conversation on martial arts with us! 🥋

[@stevenedmund5680]

Bruce Lee would do the pants grab too in a couple of his movies and then go into a low Karate stance but his upper guard would be Gung Fu.

[@darrylvidal3399]

Yeah, the pants grab was an homage to Bruce Lee...

[@quadirbrown3800]

I always noticed him during the tournament in Karate Kid.

[@jacobdean4833]

You really liked that guy to begin with!!

[@MoonlitWaterLillies]

Balance and moderation help prevent burnout. Great advice!

[@poboxchristmas380]

great interview! Darryl Vidal really brought the energy levels up for the tournament aspect of the film. Such a great contribution to American Cinema and pop culture.

[@NinjaPandallnight]

He was the only guy who was an experienced martial artist😆

[@abbaskazmi2558]

Not true Ron Thomas was and still is a 6th degree Black Belt in Karate.

[@The2Coolest2]

Nah others were experienced as well, and they had schools in the background. But he's at the top of the list and actually came up with the crane kick for the movie.

[@NinjaPandallnight]

@@abbaskazmi2558 waow, didn’t know that👌

[@domingorubies656]

@@abbaskazmi2558 jiu-jitsu

[@abbaskazmi2558]

@@domingorubies656 He's also champion Ju Jiutsu fighter everybody forgets he's a black belt he literally said that in ruinited apart.

[@rxj0765]

Wish we got to see more of him in the karate kid movie, or maybe even cobra kai?

[@izzo28]

I love these guys. Kenpo is the truth

[@gordongiobanni7543]

Awesome cant wait i noticed the other day in your video you mentioned he was the best looking fighter in the movie and i was like wait, i think that guy was traditionaly trained

[@elchichosantana6410]

I am fan of Vidal. He looks like my buddy Ronald.

[@fabiannor-tee7569]

Really enjoy your videos and enjoyed this interview you did with Mr. Darryl Vidal.

[@georgefoley9793]

What an amazing interview!

[@RebelCityEejit]

Fascinating video! Knows his stuff

[@joythornz]

I've enjoyed this interview. Well done!

[@mason.credible638]

When I watched KK1 at 10 years old, having never personally done any martial arts, I could already tell Darryl was legit and levels above the other actors.

[@arodderz]

Clearly the top talent in all of the karate kid films combined. Is it true Bobby also had some prior karate training before the Karate kid 1

[@TheKiltedAdventurer]

Darryle is such a great martial artist

[@khalsal7599]

This was amazing bro! Great info in to a great movie 🎥

[@donnar.m.devore3218]

I love Karate Kid and absolutely Love, Love Karate Kid 2 when he is in Okinawa

[@jedsteelwell2354]

Late to the video but this was a great interview and I'll always remember Darryl standing out in the karate tournament. He would have whooped all those guys in that tournament. His fight with Johnny was the best in the movie.

[@Foreriverricky]

Yo we need to get darryl on cobra kai

[@jckingsley]

Also, (and I'm surprised he didn't mention this), if you'll remember from 70's era history of the martial arts in America, Ed Parker's Kenpo was fast gaining notoriety for it's rapid striking and economy of motion techniques. The most popular martial art in America at the time (before Jhoon Rhee came along with TKD) was Judo. So, you can infer from Darryl's background that he was very cutting edge in what he chose to practice. Kenpo and JKD/Wing Chun were the real up and coming martial arts of his day.

[@kelvendyson1508]

Man those windmill kicks he did!!!

[@WR3ND]

I've trained a bit in some of the styles with techniques Darryl mentioned. Karate is more well know in general in practice here in America, and as a kid I had a friend who trained in it for many years as well. It's good to be reminded of these other styles and approaches too though. It's fun and sort of nostalgic for me. Thanks.

[@JT-sx5gl]

His abilities honestly were above everyone else's in the movie. Had Johnny and his character fought for real, Johnny wouldn't have stood a chance.

[@jeetkundough6224]

Low, up, down two knuckle twister. Nice technique. I might use it. Thanks 🙂👍

[@Kingshiloh-fo2qc]

Wow

[@irishmaninokinawa5268]

No Way!! this will be amazing!!

[@warhawksmemories3071]

Very Interesting can't wait 😉

[@algomez8563]

Oh the real karate kid in the movie.

[@XrQn_Blaaty]

The Goonies was the 1st time I remember seeing an Asian character in a Hollywood movie that wasn't base on fighting, but smarts definitely my favorite Character.

[@noahnoah5239]

awesome interview! thank you

[@jt0l3r]

Regarding Phillipino martial arts and films, I've recently watched several Bruce Li films. Some of his films are better than others for sure, but still entertaining nonetheless.

[@oceania2385]

The 442nd regiment recognition was awesome.

[@ItsWillYumm]

The only guy in Karate Kid that had Karate talent 🤣😂🤣

[@arodderz]

Very high level for sure. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Bobby brown also stood out, imo!

[@Demigord]

great interview from both ends

[@thomasstrawn7925]

I thought he had the best technique out of all of them! :)

[@Poleet1971]

I always wondered what happened to that martial artist. TY

[@سيدسيد-ص3م4ب]

Cool work sir 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Scott86]

I would love to see and interview of you with Johnny next!

[@bhivesc]

Good to know that you’ve found him, bro! Is he famous in the movies after Karate Kid until now?

[@Seansquatch7]

Epic

[@newwavepop]

i always wondered what he thought about the fact that most people watching the film back then had no idea who he or his character was, but we were all watching it thinking who the hell is this guy he clearly would be winning this tournament in reality.

[@justafanmarvel9669]

This was a great interview and as others have said we look forward to seeing him in Cobra Kia. I just need to make one very weird observation here that that is both telling and cool... I saw it from the beginning of the interview but it didn't register in my head until the end. We have 2 great karate guys here from different generations having a very mutually respectful conversation about their common passion... one telling about the past and the history and one relating and referencing the present and future... If you can forget about the visual age difference between the 2 men for a moment... the awesome cue which brings a smile to my face is the young man is conducting the interview with wireless earbuds in and the older gentleman has the large hardwired headset on that was so popular in my youth (in the 70s)... I don't know why but it makes me smile.

[@darrylvidal3399]

cool observation.

[@mikedlc9766]

all man this kind of like the Art of Action from Scot Adkins , loving it when I saw Darryl Vidal in Karate Kid boy I knew I had to step it up some more in my training ALSO Bobby of the Cobra Kai was the only one from the Johnny's side that was a real Karate guy also like Vidal not as flashy as Vidal and as for that body punch that is straight boxing jab to the face as a distraction and right cross too the body but that added twister move he is adding is very interesting

[@darrylvidal3399]

be sure to try the twister....!

[@triggahappyyt5420]

When I saw his character lose in KK I thought "wtf, his the best fighter there!" Lol

[@kelvendyson1508]

I know right!!!

[@nostradamus522]

We think all the same ! Everyone with a sense of dynamic knows he was best trained in this.

[@darrylvidal3399]

I think the same thing everytime.... pathetic loss.

[@OGDweeb]

Bring him back!

[@jackperry_5]

look up the Kata Kakufa, it incorporates a "crane" stance into the kata however now double jump kick

[@giovannibenedetto9937]

Thank you guys. Very interesting video.