Self Defense
Shi Fu Saunders is a 65th Generation student of Tien Shan Pai and a direct disciple of Grandmaster Huang, Chien-Liang. He started his training under Grandmaster Huang in 1990. Shi Fu Saunders served as the Program Director at the U.S. Kuoshu Academy from 2006 to 2010.
He is a 3rd degree Black Sash in Tien Shan Pai under Grandmaster Huang and a 4th degree Black Sash under the certification standards of The World Kuoshu Federation (TWKSF). Shi Fu Saunders has been certified by the TWKSF as an International Referee - Level B. As an International Referee, Shi-Fu Saunders has performed the duties of Scoring Judge and Executive Referee at USKSF International Tournaments and the TWKSF 3rd World Tournament held in Ulm, Germany in 2009.
Shi Fu Saunders served as the Tournament Director for the 2008 and 2010 United States Kuo Shu Federation (USKSF) International Tournaments and as Assistant Director for the 2006 USKSF International Tournament. Shi Fu Saunders has also served in other areas related to the organization of USKSF International Tournaments including External Director, Transportation Director, and Hospitality Director.
An accomplished competitor, Shi Fu Saunders has placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd in various forms and two-person set events at national and international Chinese martial arts tournaments. Shi Fu Saunders has performed in several Charity Demonstrations including a special benefit to support the families of victims of the September 11, 2001 relief efforts, and Demonstrations to support the Maryland Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the St. Jude's Children's Research Center, and the Children's Home of Baltimore. Shi Fu Saunders has been recognized for his efforts to promote Kuo Shu through citations given by Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich, Maryland Governor and Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley, Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski, and Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith. Shi Fu Saunders has also been recognized at the Action Martial Arts Hall of Fame Awards ceremony.
Shi Fu Saunders is a graduate of the University of Delaware, is a licensed Professional Engineer, and works as a civil engineer on infrastructure projects for a multi-disciplinary engineering firm. He has two daughters, both whom have studied at the U.S. Kuoshu Academy.
Shi Fu Saunders's personal training has emphasized Tien Shan Pai kung fu and Xingyiquan training. As an instructor, his objective is to help his students achieve their goals and push the boundaries of their potential as martial artists. In recent years, Shi-Fu Saunders has placed considerable emphasis on assisting the promotion of the United States Kuo Shu Federation.
