PANEL OF JUDGES

Panel of Judges

The panel of judges at the World Open Martial Arts Championship is selected based upon the standard and criteria set forth by the World Fighting Martial Arts Federation (WFMAF). Factors considered in this selection process for joining our panel of judges include the skill level and reputation of the masters, their judging experience at national and international level competitions, and other relevant qualifications. To learn more about our panel of judges, click on their names to read about their credentials if it is available. For masters and instructors who are interested becoming a judge at the US Open Martial Arts Championship, please submit your credentials for consideration using our online Judge Application form. To show appreciation to our panel of judges and staff members for their active support and involvement to the US Open Martial Arts Championship, the organizing committee will host a meeting and banquet after the competition to celebrate and to thank everyone for their contribution.

2025 World Open Martial Arts Championship - Judges
Chief Judge
Master Narcyz Latecki	Narcyz Latecki (雷鐵客 Lei Tieke), voted as one of the Top One Hundred Extraordinary Martial Artists of the World and Prominent Wushu Coach, is also co-chairman of the International Wushu Sanshou Dao Association (IWSD), from which he holds eight level black belt (黑带八段 Ba Duan) and a Honorary Master Level.
Vice Chief Judges
Master Li Xiang Jing	Master Li Xiang Jing holds a 9th Duan in Chinese martial arts. He is a former Bei Jing Sanda Team member. He is also a Judo Champion of Asia, and was the former Chief Judge of several past WOMAC championships.
Judges
Master Rick Wong	Sifu Rick Wong has studied traditional kung fu and contemporary wushu for more than 30 years in both the United States and China. He founded the Chinese Martial Arts Center in 1992, and has also taught at Boston University (1987– 1989) and was Harvard University’s first wushu instructor (2003-2010). He was a gold medalist at numerous national and international competitions, and coached multiple USAWKF and ICMAC tournaments champions.
Joshua Peters	Joshua Peters started martial arts under Sifu Dennis Brown in 1988, studying Shaolin Wushu. In 1990, he started to train at King Tiger Martial Arts under Sabeom-nim Kim, obtaining a second degree black belt and participated in numerous Taekwondo, karate and American kickboxing style competitions. Without formal training, he also participated in Lei-tai (platform) fighting and Sanda. In 2002, he began training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at the Maguilla BJJ school. He is a 3d degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt under Randy Malacas with the famed Chute-boxe academy. He has fought professionally in mixed martial arts and submission grappling. Had an extensive career as an amateur, competing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Sanda, Sambo, kickboxing and Mixed Martial Arts. He is the head coach of Combat Principles MMA and has produced and trained a number of amateur and professional athletes in the DMV area.
Master Wang Rengang	Master Wang Rengang is the founder of International Dachengdao Kungfu, He studied under, and is the successor to, the well-known Wang Xuanjie, the second generation grandmaster of Dachengquan under the renowned Grandmaster Wang Xiangzhai. Wang Rengang is also the fifth generation successor of Hao Tai Chi Mei Hua Tanglang Quan (northern plum blossom praying mantis) under the famous Grandmaster Hao Weizhi. Wang Rengang has won numerous gold medals in martial arts tournaments. He is a certified Grade 1 Wushu judge both in the US and China and is invited to judge several tournaments each year.
Avi Schneier	Avi Schneier is a certified instructor of Patience T’ai Chi Association and one of Sifu William C. Phillip’s senior students. Over the years, he has won Gold Medals for both form and push hands in national and international competition. He has been elevated to the status of judge at the U.S.C.K.F. International Championships in Maryland.
Sifu Eric Cruz	Sifu Eric Cruz started training in 1969 in a variety of programs whatever was available in 1981 started Kungfu and never looked back. He founded the USA Kung Fu Academy in 1992, and is it's the director and chief instructor.
Sifu Rob Elkind	Rob Elkind started studying under the late Grandmaster Kwong Tit Fu, and then with Master Calvin Chin when he opened CCMAA. Rob assists by helping teach Kung Fu and Tai Chi classes at CCMAA
Sifu Paul Ho	Sifu Paul Ho from has been training in Hung Gar for the past 20 years at Calvin Chin's Martial Arts Academy.
Lao Shi Mark Opalenik	Lao Shi Marcus Opalenik's school is Yi Zong New England. He has been studying Xing Yi Chuan, Bagua Zhang, and Tai Chi Chuan for 25 years and am competent to judge in these areas. 22 of those years have been under his Teacher of YI Zong Lineage Luo De Xiu.
Sifu Lee Smith	Sifu Lee Smith has years of experience in Chinese martial arts include Nanquan and Shaolin Kung Fu.
Sifu Nick Vancisin	Sifu Nick Vancisin started training at USA Kung Fu Academy in 1999.
Sifu Dana Wong	Sifu Dana Wong started training in USA Kung Fu Academy in 1994 also had a school in Falmouth Massachusetts.
Sifu Xueyuan Yangchen	Sifu Xueyan Yangchen holds a Bachelor of Education degree from the esteemed Beijing Sports University. She was a martial arts coach at the prestigious Wufang Singapore before deciding to further her learning and pursue a Masters in Sports Finance in the US. She has refereed various Wushu competitions such as the American Golden State International Wushu Championships and the American Los Angeles International Wushu Competition.
Sifu Pete Kreitchet	Sifu Pete Kreichet has been involved with the martial arts since 1983. He joined the Wah Lum Kung Fu Athletic Association in 1996, was certified as an Instructor in 2005, and teaches in Boston's Chinatown. Pete is a senior member of the school's performance team and assists in coaching the competition team. He has competed and performed on both the national and international level, and is also a founding member and the current coach of Boston University's Kung Fu Club. He has been judging at local and international tournaments (ICMAC and US Kuo Shu) events for many years.
Master Ron Statler	Master Ron Statler has trained for over 40 years in traditional Kung Fu and intensively in the internal arts of Fu Style BaGuaZhang, Chen TaiJiQuan, and Xing Yi. He was a member of the 1st USA National ShuaiJiao team that won 1st place in Paris, France in 1991, and is the founder of the Chinese Wushu Research Institute of NY & CT.
Master Stanley Jue	In 1974, Master Stanley Jue started Okinawan Go-Ju-Ryu Karate with Sensei Anthony Mirakian 6th Degree Black Belt (Founder of Go-Ju-Ryu in America). Stan studied here for seven years, earning his 2nd degree Black Belt. In 1975, he began to study Chinese Kung Fu, Hung Gar Fu Hock Pai {Tiger and Crane Style} under the guidance of Grandmaster Kwong Tit Fu (Founder of Hung Gar Fu Hook Pai Tai Hay Morn in America). Stanley became Senior 3rd class in 1989. In 1977, he commenced a pursuit in Wing Chun Kung Fu {Dr Leung Jan Gu Lao Wing Chun Turning Style} under the guidance of Master Henry Mui (Founder of the Pien San Wing Chun In America). Stan thus became a disciple in 1984 becoming the 6th generation of the Dr Leung Jan Gu Lao Turning Style.
Gregg Gotti	Sifu Greg Gotti has embarked on his martial arts journey in 2003. He is one of the head instructors at the USA Kung Fu Academy.
Master Li Hao	Sanda champion of International Sanda Championship in New York in the year of 2000. Also received many short weapon fighting Champions in many tournaments. He had many different titles at the US Open Martial Arts Championship in New York from 2009 to 2019, such as the vice president, secretary general, etc. He also judged many fighting championships.
Sifu John C. Loupos	Sifu John C. Loupos has been teaching martial arts since 1968 at his school, Jade Forest Kung Fu/Tai Chi/Internal Arts in Cohassset, MA. He holds a Masters Degree in Psychology and has written several critically acclaimed books on Tai Chi, including many magazine articles dating back to 1975. He became certified as a judge on the KRANE circuit in 1979 and was the all N.E. Forms champion 1979/1980. He has many decades of experience judging at Kung Fu and Internal Arts competitions.
Master Justin Garofano	Chief Instructor and Owner of Tweksbury ATA Martial Arts, Master Justin Garofano is a 7th Degree Black Belt (Senior Master) in Taekwondo. He began his Taekwondo training in 1990 at the age of 10, and earned his first black belt by age 13. Master Garofano has won many top ten, as well as gold and bronze medals, both locally, nationwide, and internationally, competing in Sparring, Traditional Form, and Weapons, is currently still competing. His teaching experience began early too as a young red belt assisting his instructor Master James Kenney in lower ranking classes and by age 20 earned his certified instructor status in the ATA. From 1999-2000 Master Garofano was the ambassador to Korea for the American Taekwondo Association and he has also achieved the rank of a certified instructor in Krav Maga. Master Garofano continues to live life in a happy and healthy way helping others achieve their own goals through martial arts training.
Sifu Thomas Dwayne	Sifu Thomas Dwayne studied Martial Arts for over 30 years and have been training in many different styles such as Wu Shu, Wing Chan, GOJu, Shotokan, Kali and Anise. He started in New York City over the early years and now in Boston, and still learning and teaching at a few YMCAs in Greater Boston area. Sifu Thomas Dwayne has also appeared on stage and in films. He enjoys working with children and adults with forms and self-defense.
Jonathan Simon	Master Jonathan Simon is the Headmaster of Greenwich Kempo, which he founded in 2013 in Greenwich, CT. He holds a B.A. in Philosophy and Classical Studies, as well as an M.A. in Philosophy from Tulane University. A 4th Dan Sensei in Shaolin Kempo and a Sifu of Yang Style Tai Chi, Master Simon is a dedicated martial artist and a disciple of Master Marlon Pilossoph. His expertise extends to the global stage, where he serves as a judge for the International Chinese Martial Arts Championship Circuit, bringing both his academic background and martial arts mastery to every aspect of his teaching and leadership.
George Wolff	Master George Wolff has been passionately involved in martial arts since the age of 8. He holds a 2nd-degree black belt in Taekwondo and a 5th-degree black belt in Kempo, showcasing his dedication and expertise in these disciplines. With six years of experience in No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, where he has achieved a purple belt, and two years in Gi BJJ, where he holds a blue belt, Master Wolff demonstrates his versatility and commitment to continuous learning. Throughout his martial arts journey, Master Wolff has actively competed in numerous competition circuits, gaining valuable experience and honing his skills. His dedication to martial arts is not only evident in his personal achievements but also in his role as the owner of Legacy Martial Arts, where he inspires and trains the next generation of martial artists.
Sifu Hung Chiang	Hung Chiang has mainly been training Tai Chi Praying Mantis Kung Fu for 55 years under his father Huy Chiang. Hung started teaching in multiple athletic associations but mainly in Le Chi and The Fifth District Cultural center in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. He was the martial arts advisor for many Lion Dance clubs in Ho Chi Minh City in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. In 1988 Hung started teaching at Massasoit Community College and various other locations. Later he opened his own school along with his Dad in Avon, Massachusetts in 1998. Hung has been a board member of the U.S. Chuk-Kai Tai Chi Praying Mantis Federation since its inception. Currently he is the Martial Arts Director of the USCKTCPMF and has held federation seminars every year since 1993 along with judging at its tournaments.
Sifu Charles Payne	Sifu Charles Payne started his training in Wah Lum Kung Fu in 1976 at the Wah Lum Academy in Boston under Grandmaster Chan Pui. He has participated in tournaments and trained at various locations in China and the US and at the Wah Lum Temple in Orlando, FL. Sifu Payne became a certified 7th generation Wah Lum instructor in 1996 and continues to practice and teach to the present day at the Association in Boston’s Chinatown and New Hampshire. Sifu Payne is a senior member and coach of the performance and lion dance teams. He participated as a competitor and judge (ICMAC) at local and national events.
Paul Cintolo	Paul Cintolo formally began his Martial Art training in 1985 with Japanese Martial Arts, and in 1993, he shifted his focus towards Chinese Internal Martial Arts and Israeli Krav Maga under the tutelage of Mr. James F. Keenan. Mr. Cintolo has also studied overseas in China and Israel and still trains under Mr. Keenan to this day. His public and private classes are taught in Marlborough, MA and include Baguazhang, Sun Taijiquan, and Krav Maga. Mr. Cintolo has been certified to teach by Mr. Keenan for over 10 years under Daode Wuxue She (Virtuous Martial Arts Study Association) which is the Chinese name for Dotokushin.
Hongsheng Jin	Hongsheng Jin, founder of Jin’s Tai Chi (https://www.jinstaichi.com/about), has been practicing Tai Chi for over 25 years. She is a senior master inductee of the International Chinese Martial Arts Championship Hall of Fame, a national Wushu athlete and certified judge of China, served as a judge for the International Chinese Martial Arts Championship multiple times, and the Tai Chi instructor of the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University. She is also a grand champion and gold medalist in numerous national and international competitions and has coached multiple champions in China and U.S. international tournaments.
Sifu Jill Basso	Jill is a second-generation teacher in the Cheng Man Ching lineage. She is a senior student to Master William C. Phillips of Patience Tai Chi and a Certified Tai Chi Teacher. Jill started studying Tai Chi form and Push Hands in Brooklyn, NY, and began teaching Tai Chi form classes in1996 at PTC and in the Hudson Valley. She has competed in push hands and form under the tutelage of Master Phillips, Stanley Israel and others. She earned several gold, silver and bronze medals in form and push hands competitions in NY, NJ, Maryland and Taiwan.
Master Li Qing Song	Founder of Hua Wu Dao, has the lineage of Wing Chun & Yue Family Boxing. Received 6th Duan and 1st grade Sanda Judge Certificate from Mainland China. He was a coach for the special police force in Jiu Jiang city in Jiang Xi Province. He is also the winner of 2002 Sanda Champion of 80 kg at King of Chinese Sanda Championship in China. Currently, he is the owner of Hua Wu Dao Combat School in Brooklyn, New York.