Training with Master Raul ~ 06/08/2025
Master Raul (right) demonstrates a technique on Shifu Gary (left)
Sunday June 8th, I picked up Shifu Gary from his house at 5am, and we drove down to Great Neck NY for a seminar with my Shitaigong (martial great grandfather), Raul Ortiz.
Master Ortiz has had a long career in the martial arts with quite a list of accomplishments. From the WFMAF:
“Master Raul Ortiz is an 8th generation closed door disciple and successor of Grand Master Lee Kam Wing of Hong Kong. Master Ortiz has been training in the martial arts for the past 40 years. In those years he has trained with some of the best masters in their particular disciplines. Master Ortiz is certified to teach the following combat disciplines: 7 Star Mantis Style, Thai Boxing/San Da, Escrima/Kali/Arnis, Taijiquan. Master Ortiz retired from competition in 1998 while holding the undefeated title New York Kung Fu Champion for 13 years in Fighting, Weapon, Forms and 2 World Champion Fighting, Weapon, Forms title.
He has been inducted into 4 Martial Arts Hall of Fames a) World Professional Karate Organization b) Christian Martial Arts Hall of Fame c) United International Kung Fu Federation d) Latin American Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Master Ortiz was a member of the “Miller Lite” National Karate Team/representing Kung Fu, a former bodyguard to the Helmsleys (Harry/Leona), and security for celebrity NYC nightclub “Rascals”. Master Ortiz was also tactical instructor to various tactical team members of the NYPD and Westchester County PD. In 1987 at the age of 27 he was approached by Panther Productions to do a series of Mantis Kung Fu videos, which have sold worldwide.
This has led him to travel around the USA and Puerto Rico conducting seminars on Mantis Boxing and San Da. Master Ortiz has produced many champions in Kung Fu and San Da, and his strict ethics of constant kung fu training has helped his art mature with him. Master Ortiz started his own production company called “Real Life, Real Kung Fu”™ which brings you the best and effective kung fu masters on dvd. Master Ortiz is featured in the documentary URBAN DRAGONS Black & Latino Masters of Chinese Martial Arts. He has dedicated his life to the preservation of Traditional Kung Fu and to passing his knowledge and benefits to all who have crossed his path. He believes that if he has inspired just 1% of the people he’s come in contact with, then he has done his job. “When I became a Sifu I linked myself to the past and the future.”
It was very fun learning a new weapon. The pǔdāo (朴刀), sometimes referred to as “podao”, is often called a “horse cutter” in English because it was used by infantry to slice the legs of horses in battle. It could be used one-handed, two-handed, or bifurcated. The blade is similar to a saber but with a longer, thicker handle and a sharply clipped point. It was originally a farming tool that was weaponized by civilians. The full history of the weapon is unknown but some speculate that it became popular before and during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368 CE), as a weapon against the Mongols and Jurchen, who were peerless in horse-mounted combat.
Master Ortiz also surprised us by teaching an additional form, Thrust Cloud Fist 穿云掌 (Chuān Yún Zhǎng), an advanced Seven Star Mantis Kung Fu form.
It was hard work but a very fun day with our extended Kung Fu family, and the time I got to spend with my teacher was, as always, priceless.
Photos available on Facebook and SmugMug.
~ Shifu