My marital
arts journey began in the early 1970’s when a close friend of
mine told me about his experiences training with longtime Chinese
Kung-fu Grand Master, Ark Y. Wong in Chinatown (Los Angeles).
This event coincided with the initial release of numerous martial
arts movies, and the preview of the Kung-fu television series
all which served to peak my interest in martial arts even further.
I began instruction
in Hung Sing Choi Lai Fut in the summer of 1972 first with Sifu
Frank Pramicias, then having the honor of training with his instructor
Sifu Toon Wong Lem. Sifu Lem had trained in Xin Hui China under
the Buddhist monk Sai Yut at the Woon Fong Temple (Temple in a
Cloud on the Peak)
After moving
away to attend college at UC Santa Barbara in 1973, I explored
other fighting arts offered by the university including Shotokan
and Goju Ryu Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Hsing I, and Yang style
Tai Chi Chuan.
I even competed
in several tournaments as a member of the UC Santa Barbara Karate
Club. Following graduation, I returned to Los Angeles to
resume training with Sifu Lem, this time balancing graduate school,
marriage, and full time employment.
In 1996 I
relocated to DeKalb, Illinois to take up a position as Assistant
Professor at Northern Illinois University. It was my great
fortune to learn that traditional Kung-fu was being practiced
in this small community. Sifu Arthur Berry, founder of the Chinese
Kung-fu Club of DeKalb, has been a kind and thoughtful mentor,
unreservedly sharing his vast martial arts knowledge.
The club has
always seemed to be more like a community of family members than
a martial arts organization, and I cherish all relationships with
my Kung-fu brothers and sisters. I was granted the rank of Black
sash in 2001 and first level Sifu in 2002. Despite these accomplishments,
I realize that my journey has not ended; it simply marks a new
beginning.
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The
Chinese Kung-Fu Club of DeKalb
217 South Second Street. Suite #215
Dekalb Illinois 60115-3715
e-mail Sifu001@aol.com
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