TRUMBULL, CT — While martial arts and local government work may, at first, not seem to have much in common, Town Planner Rob Librandi said he draws on the lessons he has learned over the years in many aspects of his professional life.
For one, his training in martial arts has helped him stay calm and focused during meetings and to be a little more patient and respectful to anyone who comes into his department.
“It has given me the confidence to speak in large groups and make statements that some people may not be happy with,” Librandi said to Patch. “Also understanding that it’s an honor to represent the town and the community and try to do my job the best I can.”
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These skills are just a few things Librandi hopes to impart on the students he instructs at the Trumbull Academy of Karate, which recently celebrated its grand opening at 6515 Main Street earlier this month.
“It was a dream come true,” Librandi said. “I had all my current students, family, friends and martial arts brothers and sisters that traveled far to be there. There were a lot of town officials there as well, and they all congratulated us and stated ‘we are here to help,’ which made me feel a little more at ease. As anyone opening a small business knows, you get a bit nervous when you first open the doors. There is a great support system in town, as they want you to succeed.”
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Martial arts has always been an important part of Librandi’s life. He started learning when he was 8 years old and has not taken a break since.
“It has taught me to be respectful to others,” Librandi said, “to focus better at school and work, have the discipline to work as hard as I can. It shows you what the meaning of honor is and that you represent something bigger than yourself. “
According to the academy’s website, Librandi trained with the Cheezic Tang Soo Do College Karate Team while attending Central Connecticut State University. In college, he received numerous first place and grand champion awards for point sparring, forms and weapons and retired from college point fighting with a four-year undefeated winning streak.
Librandi later served as an assistant instructor at schools in Oxford and Trumbull and received his Fifth Degree Master Belt in 2020 under the Cheezic Tang Soo Do Federation. He has won numerous power breaking competitions and was recently recruited to join the U.S. Martial Arts Team, winning four gold medals.
It has long been a dream for Librandi to open his own school, having taught for a number of instructors since he was 16. As businesses began to reopen in town during the COVID-19 pandemic, he contacted the Rockwell Dance Center to see if they would rent him a room to teach martial arts in.
“I felt it would be a good location as I was looking for the same demographics as they were,” Librandi said.
Librandi moved into his new Main Street location in November and held a grand opening and ribbon cutting event Jan. 20, keeping his business in Trumbull.
“Trumbull is an ideal location as I work for the town during the day,” Librandi said. “I live in town, my children go to school and play other sports in Trumbull. Also Trumbull in general is a very active community, as we have our Pequonnock River Trail and numerous sports fields and parks, as well as our high school teams and active senior population.”
At the Trumbull Academy of Karate, Librandi promotes a family-friendly environment free of egos, where instructors try to get the best out of students in a stress-free and fun way.
“If you come to train at TAOK, I will be the one teaching the karate classes, not an assistant,” Librandi said. “I take pride in focusing on each student and what their needs are to progress in the art. You will earn your rank here and not be given to you.”
The academy will also be the only school in the northeast and third in the country to be a designated training facility for the U.S. Martial Arts Team, according to Librandi.
In addition to teaching children, the school also offers adult classes and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for ages 14 and up, as well as self defense seminars for businesses or interested groups.
“One of the main ideas I try to focus on is self-confidence,” Librandi said. “I remind my students all the time that they are so much stronger mentally and physically than they think they are. In a quality martial arts school, you will learn values that you can carry for the rest of your life.”
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TAOK is a year-round school and students can sign up at any time. More information on classes and other services offered can be found at www.trumbullacademyofkarate.com.
“Trumbull Academy of Karate is in the business of serving the community, building character and confidence in our students,” Librandi said. “If you train here, you will see a difference in both over time.”
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