Sifu Armando Sainz' Qualifications

Armando Sainz is a professional martial artist and instructor. He 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 earned 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 Bare-Knuckle Boxing, Modern Boxing, Kodenkan Ju-Jitsu, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Dim Mak, Chin-Na, Iron Palm, Tae Kwon Do, Kick Boxing and Filipino knife and stick fighting. He has also trained with firearms on a regular basis and is licensed.

Armando was officially certified an instructor (Sifu) of Wing Chun in 1999. Armando's Wing Chun training began in Sifu Bill Graves’ public classes but then he became a predominantly private student culminating in 12 years of solid training. Armando was the first to complete Graves’ entire Wing Chun curriculum, and is the senior and most skilled student among his peers. Armando also trained frequently through the years with legendary Wing Chun master, 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's Wing Chun lineage goes back directly to celebrated Grandmaster Ip Man.

Armando was also a private student of Sifu Frank J. Paolillo 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, Tao Style 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 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 all kinds of people including 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 has improved the lives of countless people and is known for his warm, approachable personality.

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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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