Chief Instructor – Master Paul Smith
Master Paul has been training in martial arts for over 30 years, Paul has trained under world-reknowned masters such as Pat O’Malley (Rapid Arnis) and Samuel Kwok (Samuel Kwok Wing Chun Martial Art Association). He was a boxing champion and a PTI (Physical Training Instructor) in the British Army, and has achieved high grades in several styles, such as;
- 4th degree Black Sash in Wing Chun
- 1st degree Black Belt in Rapid Arnis
- 1st degree Black Belt in Doce Pares Original Multi-Style
- 1st Dan in Shotokan Karate
He has also trained with other great martial artists including: Grand Master Yip Ching; Grand Master Yip Chun; Antonio Diego; GM Dionisio Canete; GM Danny Guba; Master Albert Sales; Master Jose ‘Joe’ Borces; Master Percival ‘Val’ Pableo; Master Rey Galang; Carlson Gracie; Royce Gracie; Gary Spears; Sensei Enoeda, Sensei Kawazoe and Dan Inosanto.
Paul has completed in many competitions in addition to his boxing wins in the Army, winning;
- 5 British titles in full-contact fighting
- Gold in the Doce Pares World Championships
- Silver in the 1st Invitational World Arnis Championships
- Class winner in the 2004 Mr Scotland Body Building competition.
Master Paul Smith on Flickr
Training Abroad
In October 2004, Paul was part of a British contingent of Wing Chun instructors and students who travelled to Hong Kong. The group visited the Yip Man Tong, the Yip Man Wing Chun Athletic Association and some of the first Yip Man Wing Chun schools in China.
In December 2005, Paul travelled to the Philippines where he successfully competed in the 1st Invitational World Arnis Championships, winning a silver medal. He was also made a member of the Philippine Council of Kali, Eskrima and Arnis Masters.
During the trip, Paul was awarded a 1st degree Black belt in ‘Doce Pares Original Multi-Style System’ after grading in front of a panel of 10 grand masters, including: Master Endring Casio; Master Bonifascio “Loloy” Uy; Master Rudy Rey and Grandmaster Eulegio Canete.
Keep up to date
Keep up to date, get training tips and learn more about Sifu Paul Smith at the Combat Arts International site and on his personal blog.