David 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 Chuang Fa (Kung Fu) as a closed door student of Master Sam (Iron Tiger) Wing at age 13 and opened the first Chinese Martial Arts School in Central New York in May of 1970. Dr. Grago attended college at Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio and is an Alumnus of Spring Hill Jesuit College in Mobile, Alabama and Canterbury University, London, England. Dr. Grago received his Ph.D. from FIMA University in 2000.

Sifu Grago's  studies in Shaolin Kung Fu will span 45 years in September of 2009. Across the years Sifu Grago has been fortunate to have traveled and studied with some of the top Martial Artists in the World. During his long career in the Arts, Sifu Grago has trained Security and Law Enforcement Agencies in New York, Ohio, Alabama, Florida and Mississippi - including a customized course of crowd control for the NYS National Guard. Dr. Grago was recognized by the Governor of Alabama, Fob James, for his Martial Arts service to the state and from the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Governor Paul Patton for his Martial Arts service to the state of Kentucky.

Sifu Grago is on the Board of Director's of some of the top martial arts organization world wide and continues to work with Chuck Norris - and his Kick-Start program as a member of the Grandmaster's Advisory Board. An active member of the Dallas Chapter of the Guardian Angels, Sifu Grago continues to train, patrol and assist the city center by helping to keep order and volunteering his time for charitable events.

The Ch'uang Chuan Pai - or Mind/Fist Boxing was passed from the late Grandmaster Sam Wing to Sifu Grago in 1970 and his "adopted" son and sole inheritor. Across the last 39 years, the Pai (or Family Style) has been "polished" and enhanced to allow for tournament competition and cross-training capabilities. Offering a tremendous confidence booster for children, adults and families - Ch'uang Chuan Pai Kung Fu is a great addition to anyone's lifestyle who is looking to add longevity, strength, confidence and focus. Classes are open to everyone and age and fitness level are not considerations - desire to learn is the only requirement. 

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); Dr David Wei Kash (Emperor’s Shaolin Temple Boxing); Grandmaster WL John Ng (former Coach of the Peking Wu Shu Team - Wing Chun and Ng Family Style); and Grandmaster Andrew Tamper (Yee Chong Mu Gwan 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. Master Grago’s ICBA World Wide Organization and earned rank is recognized by: The Kuoshu Association of the Republic of China under President Chen Shou-Shan, The Hawaii  Martial Art International Society under Professor Jaime Abreganna and Grandmaster Ming Lum. The American Karate Black Belt Association - Grandmaster James Toney; The World Independent Chinese Martial Arts Federation under Grandmaster Klaus Schuhmacher, The Universal Tae Kwon Do Brotherhood under Grandmaster Eugene Humesky and others.

Dr. Grago is also the Dean of Scientific Studies for FIMA University.