Miguel Rojas’s list of essentials includes a kimono, a piano, and a police uniform. The native of Tenerife is a world and European champion in various martial arts, has performed in theatres in Tenerife as a singer-songwriter, and works as a police officer in the Rosario municipality. He began his journey in the world of martial arts at a young age. With just three years old, his parents enrolled him in the Osaka Karate Club, in the Tenerife capital. There, he learned combat tactics and the techniques of judo and karate. Since then, his professional career as an athlete has taken him to numerous championships. Even as far as the other side of the globe in Australia where he earned two bronze medals in karate.
His most recent significant achievement was winning three medals (gold, silver, and bronze) in the European and world championship of the martial art discipline, chanbara, held in Gran Canaria on May 5th. He also placed fifth in the March competitions at the Spanish Championship and was the champion of Canarias in jiu-jitsu.
While practicing a martial art, he also develops an art on stage. Just a few years ago, he set out to learn to play the piano. He had always felt a passion for music but the discipline and practice hours required by the stage kept him from starting. Now he composes and sings songs that describe his everyday life and situations or stories that he believes are important to share. He creates music videos and shares them on his social networks, but his biggest challenge has always been to do a concert.
In 2018, that desire came true. The Búho Club in La Laguna announced his concert. Miguel Rojas considered it a complete success. Since then, he has filled more venues like the Teatro Principe Felipe, in Tegueste, where he presented his first album “From the Soul” in 2022.
“I don’t believe in luck, but in personal effort”
His passions are diverse. Miguel Rojas sees them as challenges and lives with the excitement of achieving what he sets out to do. “I don’t believe in luck, but in personal effort,” he emphasizes. Since the age of 16, he started as a martial arts instructor alongside his master. He now also teaches self-defense courses. In this case, it’s a role he combines with his profession as a local police officer in the Rosario municipality. Another task added to the list of challenges that drive him. When asked about his motivation, he speaks of family. His wife and son are his main support. Although there is a good number of people dedicated to competing in martial arts, Rojas always travels with his family. During those moments, he combines spending time with his loved ones with focusing before going on stage and giving his best.
Miguel Rojas with the swords used in the practice of chanbara. / Arturo Jiménez
Miguel Rojas talks about a transformation. When he steps on stage, enters a competition, or works in the local police force, his focus is maximum. He needs to center himself to achieve the best results. His day is divided between going to work, training in the afternoon, and practising the piano at night, which is why he says: “I lack hours in the day”. But always with new challenges. That’s how Miguel Rojas plans his future. Martial arts, music, and his job as a police officer are daily challenges he doesn’t plan to abandon. Although he doesn’t look ahead to predict his future, he is content with the achievements he has made, especially now, hand in hand with his family.
Miguel Rojas in the first training club of his life with his training clothes. / Arturo Jiménez
