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In 1987 he started training in the Wing Chun system under Sifu R. Vogel a student of Grandmaster Wang Kiu. After about two months of training, he read the book Wing Tsun Kuen by Grandmaster Leung Ting (closed door disciple of the late Grandmaster Yip Man). After reading the book he discontinued his training at Sifu Vogel's school and started looking for a Leung Ting system affiliated school.
In that same year he started training WT under Sifu F. Schäfer only to have an unfortunate car accident after one month of training. Nine months later he continued his WT training eventually receiving his 1st Technician level from Sifu Kernspecht in 1994 in Germany.
In the period from 1994-1998 he travelled often through Europe attending many seminars in Germany and in Italy of Sifu E. Botztepe and taking hundreds of private lessons from different WT masters like Sifu H.P. Edel, Sifu S. Avci etc. In 1998 he was appointed Israeli chief instructor for the EWTO by his Sifu K. Kernspecht.
During a trip to Asia in that same year his dream came true when he met his Sigung Grandmaster Leung Ting. After being adopted as a private student by his sigung, he first went to Zagreb to finish the unarmed system under Sifu Truntic, so that his Sigung Leung Ting only had to correct him. He took more than 100 hours of private lessons from the Grandmaster in the period of 1998 – October 2001. Staying in Hong Kong often several months at the time and eventually finishing the whole unarmed system of WT under his Sigung.
In November and December 2001 S.P. Iadarola travelled to New York to finish learning the WT weapons: the Look Dim Poon Kwun (six and a half point pole) and the Bart Cham Dao (the eight way cutting broad swords) under his Si-Pak Fong Wai Hung (Allan Fong). Being the first one ever to be taught the bart cham dao from Sifu Fong. During this trip he was promoted to the seventh level practician by his Si-Pak Fong Wai Hung. Due to circumstances Sifu S.P. Iadarola started in January '02 the IWKA to promote and spread the Yip Man Wing Tjun system. In the last few years GM Sergio P. Iadarola studied the lineage of Chi Sim Wing Tjun by GM Cheng Kwong recieving his master certificate in the summer of 2006 as the second westener to recieve this titel from the Grandmaster and nowadays the students of the IWKA can study two unique Wing Tjun systems " Yip Man and Chi Sim" under a systematic teaching syllabus created by GM Sergio Iadarola.
At 13 he started his martial arts training with Judo, he still remembers the slight advantage that Judo gave him if grabbed, pushed or held. Its lack of strikes and training on how not to be hit restricted its effectiveness for self defence.
Karate (Shotokan / Goju) seemed to address this area with many punching, kicking and blocking techniques. The physical fitness, martial etiquette and self defence techniques were very appealing and he threw himself into training 5 times a week from ages 15 – 17.
While training in Karate Sifu Paul enjoyed researching any material by Bruce Lee. Bruce Lee and his senior instructors Dan Inosanto & Richard Bastillio all spoke very highly of one art in particular – Wing Chun Kung Fu. So in 1986 when Sifu Paul finally located a Wing Chun Kung Fu school only 45 minutes away he embraced the training and started his Kung Fu journey.
Wing Chun Kung Fu offered everything he was looking for:
Amazing self defence skills that could cope with any situation, regardless of the size of your opponent.
Outstanding improvements in fitness, body tone and condition
A wonderful feeling of wellbeing and great health
Massive energy and vitality to do everything you want to do throughout the day
Philosophical and spiritual development
Greater focus and concentration
An anchor in your life that helps you in times of trouble
A spring board in your life to launch you forward
Mastery of your own body
New knowledge and skills
People that are like minded
Sifu Paul has been very fortunate to have learnt from a number of incredibly skilled, knowledgeable and talented martial artists:
Master James Sinclair (Wing Chun Kung Fu), Master Samit Munramon (Muay Thai, Thai Boxing), Guru John Harvey (Escrima), Guro Pat O’Malley (Escrima), Master Brian Jacks (Judo), Master Chris Bowles (Judo), Grand Master Leung Ting (WingTsun Kung Fu), Grand Master Keith Kernspecht (WingTsun Kung Fu), Master Hans Peter (WingTsun Kung Fu), Sifu Chrisu (WingTsun Kung Fu), Master Steve Tappin (Latosa Escrima), Grand Master Sergio Iardarola (WingTjun Kung Fu).
Whilst training Wing Chun Kung Fu he also trained in Muay Thai for 1.5 years privately with a professional Thai Boxing coach from Thailand – Sammit Munramon, Judo privately with Judo legend Brian Jacks and his protégé Chris Bowles.
These all added to his experience of martial arts – they were very different technically from Wing Chun Kung Fu however each of these martial arts instructors had something in common, their passion, enthusiasm and skill for martial arts.
Sifu Paul Hawkes was awarded his 5th Degree Masters by Grand Master Kernspecht in May 2007. This was the result of over 20 years training in Kung Fu.
He still has an unquenchable thirst for learning so continues studying any area that will enhance his martial and personal development taking regular trips abroad to train with other Kung Fu Masters.
After 25 years of martial arts training and almost 20 years of teaching Kung Fu, Sifu Paul has seen many Masters of Martial Arts and is confident that he can take you to levels of skill, fitness, health, confidence and self assurance that you may not have thought possible.
To start you Kung Fu journey please e-mail to arrange your FREE introductory lesson and tour of The Kung Fu School.
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