Biography
Conner Hayabusa Bean was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. At age 15 he began his martial arts journey at the Shinkali Academy in Tokyo, where he trained in Vee Arnis Jitsu (KaliJutsu) and in the Pekiti Tirsia Kali System. While developing his skills in edged and impact weapons, he honed his boxing and kickboxing skills under Faii Falamoe, former golden glove boxer and strike coach for K-1 fighters.
During this time he had the opportunity to train with various guest instructors that would have a significant impact on him as a martial artist that would influence his technique, teaching, and fight approach. Masters such as Grand Tuhon Leo T. Gaje Jr., Tuhon Rommel Tortal, Tuhon Baldwin T. “Nonoy” Garrucho, Tuhon Philip “Sled-Dog” Gelinas, Tuhon Jared Wihongi, Doug Marcaida, and Tuhon Kit Acenas.
After graduating high school he took a year to further his martial arts training, traveling numerous times to the Philippines to train with various masters and members of the U.S and Filipino special forces. He also spent two months training intensively at the Inosanto Academy where he was introduced to Jeet Kune Do, Indonesian Silat, Shoot Wrestling, and Muay Thai. At age 20 he earned his black belt at the Shinkali Academy after participating in a blade rules, stick fight at the 2013 Asia Pacific Gathering in Batangas, Philippines.
After this point, Conner moved to the United States where he attended Temple University in Philadelphia and studied Strategic Communication and Illustration. During this time he began training in Western Boxing to further develop his empty hand fighting skills.
In 2019, Conner moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue a career in acting, fight-stunt coordinating, and martial arts instruction.
In 2020, Conner met Tuhon Nick “Pappy Dog” Papadakis, a Full Dog Brother and head of the Noho Dog Brothers where he began his training in DBMA, stunt fighting, and full contact weapons fighting application. Since then he has fought in numerous Dog Brothers Gatherings and has achieved the rank of “Dog.”
From 2020 to 2023 Conner was a instructor at Level 3 Martial Arts Performance in Moorpark and currently teaches weapon stunts workshops at Swordplay, Burbank. He has also taught seminars at Muay Thai U.S.A and at Mayid Martial Arts.
Conner now is an assistant instructor at Ekata Training Center where he is developing his skills in instructing Jeet Kune Do and Savate and intends to impart his experience in Kali to a new generation of students.