Grandmaster David M. Grago

     Dr. David M. Grago, grew up in Central New York where he began his martial arts studies in Kodakan Judo at the age of 12. Master Grago began to train in the Chinese Boxing Art of Southern Shaolin Chuan Fa as a closed door student of Master Sam Wing at age 13 and opened the first Chinese Martial Arts Kwoon in Central New York in May of 1970. Dr. Grago attended college at Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio and Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama.
     It was in Ohio that Grago was introduced to Master Curtis Herrington. Curtis had returned from Texas where he had received permission from, Sensei Allan Steen to bring the AKKBA and AOK Rules to Ohio. Prior to this, most Northern Ohio martial artists were members of the USKA founded by Master Robert Trias. (or Trias International). Grago received his fourth Dan from his Ohio instructor Master Don Willis and was tested and approved by Master Herrington, Master E. Al Fuzy and Master Ken York through the AKBBA.
     Grago had at that time become a tournament technique instructor for the Don Willis International Demo Team and was an active Team Member. Dr. Grago had competed on the tournament circuit for many years and was a staunch supporter of the Lakewood Judo and Karate Monthly Tournaments as well as a Board Member of the AOK (The AKBBA Tournament Rules Governing Body).
     Master Grago continued advanced instruction in Chinese Martial Arts, his first love, with: Grandmaster Norman Pedelahore (Lung Shou Pai - Dragon Claw Family Style); Grandmaster Mok Poi On (Pao Fa Lien Wing Chun); Grandmaster WL John Ng (former Coach of the Peking Wu Shu Team - Wing Chun and Ng Family Style); and Grandmaster Andrew Tamper (Yee Chong International).
     In the early 1980s. Sifu Grago received permission from Grandmaster Leung Ting (of the Ving Tsun Kuen - Ip Man Wing Chun derivative) to develop his Art under the auspices of the Hong Kong International Chinese Martial Arts Federation. Grandmaster Leung Ting had made the personal introduction and recommendation to Grandmaster Mok Poi On, for Grago's advanced study in a non-Ip Man style of Wing Chun Boxing. Sifu Grago established the Combined Wing Chun Association which was later accepted as a Group Member of the Chinese Kuoshu Worldwide Promotion Association by famous Grandmaster Chen Shou-Shan, President of the Kuoshu Worldwide, ROC, Taipei, Taiwan.
     Over the years Dr. Grago has taught: Alabama State Police - Logistical Defense Course; New York State National Guard Hand to Hand Training; US Air Force Skilled Forces Combat Training; and Was the Head Martial Arts Instructor at both Walsh University and Spring Hill College. Dr. Grago is a Board Member of the World Congress of Amateur Athletes; The American Chinese Martial Arts Federation; The Universal Society of Black Belts; The Board of Cooperating Reference for Shiho-Karano Kai International under Dr. Clement Rieder;The American Karate Black Belt Association, and Chairman of the International Chinese Boxing Association World-Wide.
     Dr. Grago has appeared in Inside Kung Fu Magazine, Discover Wu Shu Elite, Martial Arts Today, Whos Who in Karate, Whos Who in the Martial Arts, Masters, Founders and Leaders of the Martial Arts as well as numerous Television Sports Shows.
     Sigung Grago provides seminars and instruction Nationally and Internationally, just returning in December, 2002, from a United Kingdom Martial Arts Seminar Series.
     Dr. Grago is a member and coach of the United States National Martial Arts Team. He competed in the Americas Cup International Meet in Caracas, Venezuela where he won the Gold Medal in Grandmaster Fighting in 2002.
     Dr. Grago also competed in Forms and Fighting in the Grandmasters Division at the Goodwill Games in January of 2003 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where he won the Bronze Medal in both events.
     Dr. Grago received his advanced Degree in Chinese Philosophy and Comparative Eastern Religions. As a former senior executive with IBM, Xerox and Andersen Consulting, Dr. Grago acts as an executive Business and IT Consultant to many of the Fortune 500 Corporations.
     Sigung Grago resides in Plano, Texas with his wife Veronica and their children; Jami; Sean; David Jr.; Anthony and Gia.