About Sifu Armando Sainz
"Armando Sainz was the first to complete the full curriculum under me years ago. He has gone on to be in the forefront of the Jacksonville, Florida Wing Chun movement by having one of the longest running public schools, being in the public eye with his outstanding web site, and his writings which can be found on the internet. Also, Armando has developed a specific 'anti-grappling system', unique to his abilities." - Sifu Bill Graves
"I met Armando shortly after he began training with our Sifu, Bill Graves. I immediately liked him but couldn't figure out what it was about him that was so compelling. Then I found out... I went over to Armando's house to spar with him in his garage. After a great workout he explained to me how he came to know the Lord Jesus. Then he shared some good news with me and led me to a saving knowledge of the Lord. My life was radically changed from that moment until this day. And because of the direction I was going, I owe him my life." - Sifu Jesse Moon
"I have been training with Sifu Armando Sainz for several months now and have learned much more about Wing Chun and true self defense than all of my previous years of training combined. I attribute this progress to Sifu Armando's vast knowledge, experience, patience, and practical approach to teaching his martial art form. Sifu Armando's concept based style of fighting completely removes the aspect of sport, which is so popular today, and prepares the student for real-world scenarios and application. He is the teacher that every student hopes to find and every fighter aspires to become." - Eric M.
Qualifications
Armando started martial arts in 1979 and earned a black belt in Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan karate and Hapkido self-defense under his earliest instructor, Master Robert E. Beaudoin (Seventh Dan). Master Beaudoin earned his black belt under Jae Chul Shin, along with Chuck Norris, while in Korea in 1962-63. Armando began teaching regularly for Mr. Beaudoin around 1982 when he got his black belt. He attended and trained in several of the seminars and workshops hosted by Mr. Beaudoin with teachers like Hyun Chul Hwang, Kun Tao Grandmaster Joe Rossi and Bill "Superfoot" Wallace. As time went by Armando studied several martial arts including Western Boxing, Ju-Jitsu, Dim Mak, Chin-Na, Iron Palm, Tae Kwon Do, Kick Boxing, Filipino knife and stick fighting and Bare-Knuckle Boxing. He has also trained with firearms on a regular basis.
Armando was officially certified an instructor of Wing Chun in 1999. His Wing Chun training began years earlier in Sifu Bill Graves’ public classes but then he became a predominantly private student when Graves closed his school. Armando spent a total of 12 years of solid training with his teacher. He was the first to complete Graves’ entire curriculum of training, and is the senior and most skilled student among his peers in a line going back to Grandmaster Ip Man. Armando also trained periodically through the years with his teacher’s teacher, Si-Gung Karl Godwin and hosted several seminars for him. Karl Godwin is arguably the best Wing Chun practitioner of his time. Armando has been immensely influenced by Karl's groundbreaking work in Wing Chun's development. In addition, Armando has traveled periodically to San Francisco to train with Kenneth Chung, Ben Der and Jack Ling during Ken’s yearly five day seminars.
Armando was also a private student of Sifu Frank J. Paolillo for two years and trained in Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan, Chen Pao Choi (Cannon Fist), silk reeling-spiraling power Chi Kung (Chan Ssu Chin), Dragon Ba Gua Zhang and the classic Shantung weapons of China. Sifu Paolillo was instrumental in Armando’s martial arts development. Paolillo always encouraged him to make whatever he learned his own and to never be limited by men's traditions. Sifu Paolillo was a senior student of world famous Grandmaster Poi Chan, and also trained under Internal Martial Arts Masters; Kay Chi Leung, Li En Jiu, Zhang Xia Xin, and Hing Lun Kwan.
Armando has further expanded what he learned by developing a complete anti-grappling and weapons method and curriculum, polishing off his comprehensive martial arts system.
Armando was nominated by the Florida Black Belt Hall of Fame as “2005 Sifu of the Year” and "2006 Master Instructor of the Year". He has had the privilege of training many patriotic Military Personnel and Civilian Law Enforcement including Military Police, State and Local Police, U.S. Marshals and FBI as well as many friends and students from around the world.
Armando specializes in personal consultation and training. He is renowned for his expertise in martial arts and for his effective training methods with a career of over 30 years. Armando has improved the lives of countless people and is known for his warm, approachable personality. His training method represents the best in private, personal self-defense training.
Thank You for Visiting Us Online
Thank you for visiting our website, we hope that we have provided you with enough information to help you in your search for Martial Arts training. For more information please click on Contact Us or call Armando at (904) 463-3123. We hope to meet you in the near future.
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