2023 USKSF Tournament Book DIGITALversion FINAL - Flipbook - Page 35
Eric Sbarge - began his training in New York in the 1970s, and for the past 30 years has lived and taught full time in Charlotte, NC. He is a 2nd generation disciple
of the late Ch’ang Tung Sheng, holding an 8th degree black belt in shuai jiao with certification to teach Ch’ang style tai chi. He also holds a 5th degree black
belt in kenpo, and has taught the pakua system of the late Lu Shui Tien as passed down by Park Bok Nam. He was a founding member of CACMA (Carolinas
Association of Chinese Martial Arts) and opened The Peaceful Dragon school in 1997.
Henry J Schmidt III - is a Black Belt in Kung Fu Thai Chai with experience in Baguazhang and Shaolin under Grandmaster Randy Elia at Peter Kwok’s Kung Fu
Academy in Westwood, New Jersey.
Avi Schneier - is a senior student of William C. Phillips, one of the last people endorsed by Cheng Man-Ching to teach form and push hands. An accomplished
international competitor, Avi has won over 40 gold medals in empty hand form, straight sword, and push hands under various rule sets. Besides Sifu Phillips, Avi
has studied Chen style with the late Master Zhang Lu Ping and Gianfanco Pace, Traditional Family Yang Style under Yang Zhen Duo, and Sun Style Tai Chi and
Hsing-Yi under Masters Jeffrey Yuen and Chih-Young Lin.
Michael Shaffer - has been under Shi Fu Kevin Preston Siu Lum Pai for 28 Year and a member of the United State Kou Shu Federation
Since 1996. He received his 5th degree Black Belt in 2022, and received his 4th Tuan at the International Kou Shu Championship tournament in front of peers in 2016 . He has competed at the national and International level and also judged numerous tournaments including at
international Kou Shu Championship, where he also volunteered as Security. He has traveled abroad to train with other Instructors, and has
taught Hung Gar Kung Fu for 18 years.
Glenn Sheridan - has studied Ching Lung Kuoshu exclusively with Grandmaster S.L.Martin. His martial arts training with Grandmaster
Martin has afforded him the opportunity to study Chung Kuo Chuan Kuoshu (National Martial Art of China) System of the Tiger, Crane, and
Dragon, Pai Hur Chuan Chi-Kung (Internal White Crane Kung Fu) and Tiger Family Iaido. He is the Chief Instructor of the Winged Dragon
Chinese Martial Arts School and Associate Member of the International Federation of Chinese Martial Arts. Master Sheridan is retired from
the United States Coast Guard and United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
Steven Smith - started his Martial Arts training at Mint Hill Kung Fu School under Sifu Chris Facente and Master Li Keung. Steve has also studied Judo and Chi
Kung for health. Steve has taken full advantage of the opportunity to study with Grandmaster Kong Hoi in Hong Kong on two separate trips. Steve also worked
with local charities teaching disabled children in the Charlotte Area.
Andrea So - has studied martial arts for over 20 years. She is 9th generation of Wah Lum Tam Tui Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu Style, and studies under Sifu
Mai Du, and has competed locally, nationally, and internationally.
Gabrael StClair - has studied Taiji in association with Magic Tortoise, Entwined Dragons, Black Bamboo, and Dr. Lei Guo schools for 25 years.
Gabe has participated in The Fall Classic, CACMA and USKSF tournaments and is a senior student and Certified Taiji Teacher with Magic Tortoise
School. She is a disciple of the international Double Dragon Alliance (DDA) based in Shanghai, China and has traveled to China 3 times in the past
and intends to return soon to have further instruction and corrections from Master Wang Ming Bo, Master Rose Oliver, and Double Dragon Alliance
colleagues at Cao Yang Park in Shanghai. Gabe is a USKSF National Judge Level B.
Anthony Stephenson - has over 38 years of experience in the martial arts, 36 in Lai Tung Pai. In Charlotte, NC in 1987, he started his training in Lai Tung Pai
kung fu (Pùhn Kyùhn is the Síu Làhm name given the style) and there, in the eastern suburbs in 1991, he co-founded Mint Hill Kung Fu School under the direction
of the late Master Li Chi Keung. By 1993, he became one of the first Black Sash students and instructors in the USA and became a closed-door disciple under
Master Li. At this time, he was promoted to the rank of Senior US Instructor (one of the first in the US) and was added to the lineage of Lai Tung Pai. In June 2004,
Sifu Stephenson was sent to Hong Kong to study Lai Tung Pai in depth with Si Gung Kong Chui Hoi (江海). There, he received a certification awarding him the
rank of International Instructor and continued his status of closed-door disciple which now also included instruction by Kong Chui Hoi. In 2008, Sifu Stephenson
returned to Hong Kong to further train with Kong Hoi, where he was awarded, as one of the only two Sifu, the task of carrying on the lineage of the Lai Tung
Pai style. In 2005, Sifu Stephenson was inducted into the US Martial Arts Hall of Fame and later held the Director position in NC for the International Martial Art
Counsel. He is a Co-Founder and the current President of the Carolinas Association of Chinese Martial Arts Association (CACMA). He currently resides in Troy,
OH and, in 2015, opened the current location of Kong Hoi Kung Fu Association – Troy. He continues his dedication to Lai Tung Pai, with much gratitude honoring
Kong Chui Hoi and the late Li Chi Keung.
Othal Thomas – started his Gung Fu training in 1974 at age 15, learning the basics of Jow Ga style along with fighting at his High School Martial Arts Club. After
3 years of training, Othal joined the Fu Jow Style and began training under Shi-Fu Angelo Giboyeaux studying Fu Jow until 1985. He received a NG KUP Level
Black Sash. That same year, Othal studied briefly with Tak Wah Eng and David Chin, senior brothers of Giboyeaux. In March of 1986, he began training in Seven
Star Praying Mantis under Master Cheung Wah. Othal has followed la his teacher for over 30 years and is his only inheritor. This distinction makes him the true
inheritor of his SiGung’s mantle. He received his authorization to teach in 1991 and his taught hundreds of students.
Kimba Tieu - started his martial arts training at age 7, practicing judo for a short time. Eventually, he turned to Tae Kwon Do in 1986, devoting approximately 13
years to its study - while occasionally wrestling for his high school. In 2001, he joined ZYKFA and became a student of Bei Shaolin quan (northern Shaolin) under
Shifu Nelson Ferreira. Kimba has competed in local, national, and international events and is currently the Lei Tai Team Coach. He has become champion in both
the Taolu (forms) and Kuo Shu Lei Tai fighting. Kimba represented the US in the World Kuo Shu Championships held in Brazil (2003) and again in Singapore
(2006) becoming a World Champion. Kimba is a Certified International A Level Referee through the TWKSF and is the Lei Tai Referee General for the USKSF
North Region Tournament. He has been a referee/judge at the World Kuo Shu Championships in Malaysia (2012) and Argentina (2015), as well as the European
Kuo Shu Cup in Germany (2017).
2023
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