Career kick-start: Gianni DeCenzo on the perks of Miyagi-Do and making out

CAREER KICK-START

Rising star Gianni DeCenzo describes the double dividend of playing Cobra Kai’s Demetri

AS a young actor and fledgling martial artist, Gianni DeCenzo landed a dream combination when he was cast as loveable nerd Demetri in Cobra Kai.

In addition to shooting him to stardom as part of one of the world’s most-watched shows, the big break provided the 19-yearold with the chance to hone both his screencraft and combat skills alongside some of the best in the business.

“To work on a show of this magnitude is huge because chances like this don’t come around often,” Gianni told Shimbun, explaining how his previous television and film forays had been limited to one-off or bit-part performances. “I don’t think anybody on the show expected that it would grow as much as it has, but when we moved to Netflix the response was incredible. It is so cool to be a part of something like this because I can finally develop and grow with a character.

“When I got the part I thought Demetri was going to be in the show for a while but just in the background to the main protagonists,” the Californian actor added. “I honestly had no idea that he would have such a crazy arc, from the nerd in the cafeteria to now kicking ass as part of Miyagi-Do and making out with girls in hallways.”

And having enviously watched the majority of the opening season’s action scenes from the sidelines, Gianni is thrilled that Demetri has since spent more time in the dojo.

“For a few years now I have done Krav Maga, a form of selfdefence and physical training which was developed by the Israeli Army in the 1940s and is based on the use of reflexive responses to threatening situations,” he added. “I describe it as trying to gouge someone’s eye out, kick them in the groin and then run. Having background knowledge of it helped me out with the physical side of filming because we have to train a lot of hours to get up to speed before shooting the show. My limbs don’t bend quite as well as people like Jacob Bertrand [Hawk] and Tanner Buchanan [Robbie], so it has taken some practise and I have had to do a lot of stretching, but I am getting there.”

Gianni’s martial arts progress is certainly in safe hands.

Ahead of each season he and his cast-mates are put through an intensive two-week masterclass led by Hollywood stunt coordinators — and husband and wife team — Hiro Koda and Jahnel Curfman. As sensei go, they are a formidable double act.

Hiro, who has worked on more than 150 films and television shows, is a fourth degree black belt and a Shihan in US Yukoshai Karate, and has multiple championship victories to his name. While former competitive gymnast and professional dancer, Jahnel has brought her weapons and fighting skills to bear on the sets of blockbusters such as Avatar and Avengers: Endgame.

“They are the best team,” Gianni said. “We train as a group and there are other people on the stunt crew that will help us out with any issues during the season.

Courtesy of Netflix © 2020

“I HONESTLY HAD NO IDEA THAT HE WOULD HAVE SUCH A CRAZY ARC, FROM THE NERD IN THE CAFETERIA TO NOW KICKING ASS AS PART OF MIYAGI-DO AND MAKING OUT WITH GIRLS IN HALLWAYS.”

Picture: Mark Hill

There is a bungalow on set that we can go into and workout whenever we want. Everyone is very approachable and without their help I wouldn’t have made the improvements I have.”

However, the stunt team is not the only source of karate support available to Cobra Kai’s younger cast members. As experienced martial artists, William Zabka [Johnny Lawrence] and Ralph Macchio [Daniel LaRusso] have been only too happy to share their wisdom between scenes.

“It is amazing to have legends like them on set,” added Gianni, who began acting in commercials as an eight-year-old. “In the first season, when the group went to the Cobra Kai dojo to see what it is about, William showed us how to throw punches correctly. To have the iconic Johnny Lawrence teaching me karate was a pretty surreal experience. Then when Demetri joined Miyagi-Do, Ralph was so helpful guiding me through how to do kata in between takes. I haven’t got to do many of the patterns, but I am hoping in later seasons I will get the chance to expand my knowledge.”

Exposure to Cobra Kai’s veteran stars has also paid dividends from a professional perspective. Recalling an encounter with another fan favourite from The Karate Kid movies, the former 100 Things to do Before High School actor said: “Martin Kove is pretty intimidating. My first scene with him was when John Kreese ends up breaking Demetri’s nose.

“When we were doing my takes, the camera wasn’t on him but he was standing there staring me down like a true professional and he never broke eye contact. He has just got daggers. I learned a lot from how he and the other adults handled themselves on set. They are great role models.”

Time spent sparring with one of cinema’s most iconic villains has certainly left a lasting impression on Gianni. While he has a track record for playing for laughs, being up close and personal with a bad guy has cemented his aspirations of taking on more sinister roles.

“Just having something like Cobra Kai under my belt is awesome for my resume,” he continued. “I want to be able to take this and work on further projects in the future. I have always wanted to be a bad guy, preferably a serial killer — someone who is the total opposite of Demetri. When I was super young, I did this film called Whispers and was a schizophrenic child who pushed his dad — who was in a wheelchair — down a flight of stairs. By playing darker characters like Sensei Kreese I will only become a better actor.”

It is an education in acting Gianni is only too happy to continue with Cobra Kai.

“I cannot wait to get filming again,” Gianni concluded, revealing that it was his dad’s love of The Karate Kid which led him to audition for the show. “Getting paid to do karate is a dream job, but working on this show has been so much more for me. It has helped me figure out how to focus for long periods and made me more mature. I have learned so much about the industry through playing Demetri and that can only be a good thing moving forward.”

“I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A BAD GUY, PREFERABLY A SERIAL KILLER – SOMEONE WHO IS THE TOTAL OPPOSITE OF DEMETRI.”

“TO HAVE THE ICONIC JOHNNY LAWRENCE TEACHING ME KARATE WAS A PRETTY SURREAL EXPERIENCE.”

5th Kyu TARYN LOVEDAY

Walking into every class with a smile, Taryn is a delight to instruct and I am proud to have been her sensei from her first visit to a dojo. As she matures, she is showing some great leadership skills.

SENSEI SAYS

Sensei Daniel Fernance, a Nidan with nearly two decades of training to his name, opens the doors to his Region 2 dojo to shine the spotlight on some of his Sydney students...

Shodan ZANDER VOROBIEFF

A strong, confident leader, Zander has an amazing understanding of martial arts and his skills continue to develop at a rapid pace.

4th Kyu XAYDEN MARCELO

Not one to be underestimated, Xayden has enormous potential and has made excellent progress over the last two-and-a-half years. It won’t be long before he swaps red for brown.

7th Kyu AMITA SHRESTHA

Amita never fails to make me laugh. She comes to class with a great energy and loves showing off her stances during kata.

Want a visit from the Shimbun team? Send a note to shimbun@ gkrkarate.com and let’s get a date in the diary!

Shodan KELLIANNE WILLIAMS 3rd Kyu ISABELLA FERNANCE 3rd Kyu NICHOLAS MIFSUD

Kellianne has trained with me since she was a 4th Kyu and I’ve seen her grow into a strong and mature karateka. She has risen to the challenge of acting as a sempai and will one day make a great sensei. With a number of regional and state titles already to her name, Isabella is a star in the making and — aged 10 — is Region 2’s youngest sempai. The karateka has also been training as part of the NSW squad. Thanks to his excellent understanding of techniques and thirst for knowledge, Nick is a force to be reckoned with. As he matures in age and ability, his karate could become unstoppable.

5th Kyu JAYDEN WHITMORE 8th Kyu XYRUS MARCELO

I can honestly say that Jayden has never put in less than 100 per cent since his first day in the dojo. His etiquette on the mats is an inspiration to others and he takes on board any feedback he is given.

4th Kyu RHYAN PASION One of the younger Sydney students, Xyrus enjoys training alongside his mum, dad and big brother. Already a lover of kumite, he will continue to improve as he grows stronger.

6th Kyu DJ NACMAN 5th Kyu BRENDAN GALEA

After a long break on the sidelines, Brendan recently returned to GKR to further his skills. Resuming as a white belt, it didn’t take him long to clear the cobwebs and his dedication is paying dividends.

6th Kyu LUCY BOARDMAN

A lover of tournament karate, Rhyan shows great respect for every member of the class. If he continues to develop at the rate he is, the sky’s the limit as to what he can achieve in the dojo.

7th Kyu BELLA MAMMOLITI An exuberant karateka, DJ always comes to class beaming. A lover of the patterns of kata and the games we play in each session, he is looking to claim his blue belt in the near future.

6th Kyu SEBASTIAN MIFSUD Lucy’s enthusiasm and willingness to learn are a pleasure to have in class. She loves to set personal goals and, at the end of each class, gives out the best high fives to her training companions.

5th Kyu PRATHMA PATEL 7th Kyu DEV VALANI

A quiet but diligent student, Dev is a pleasure to have in class. Keen to invest time and energy in his karate development, he has been attending three classes a week and always maintains high standards.

6th Kyu DIANNE PALMER

Dianne is an absolute delight to have in class and to instruct. Every week she brings a can-do attitude to the dojo and, without fail, is always one of the hardest workers in the room.

2nd Kyu JACOB REYES

Boasting an amazing ability to focus for someone so young, Bella is well on her way to achieving her 7th Kyu. She always trains with a positive attitude, is a keen learner and is rapidly improving. A committed student, Sebastian trains twice a week and — having knuckled down and put a massive amount of effort into improving his karate — recently graded to green belt. A natural leader, Prathma prides herself on maintaining the values of the dojo at all times and puts a smile on everyone’s face. Her karate skills — particularly her stances — are equally exemplary. Jacob trains hard and sets a great example to younger students with the respect he shows to his peers. I am excited at the prospect of watching him grow as a karateka over the next few years.