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.
| 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 Joshua Peters | Master 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 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 | |
 Sifu 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. |
 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. |
 Grandmaster Tsuji | Grandmaster Tsuji, is the 11th generation chosen successor of a traditional samurai way of life. Completed through intensive 24/7 life or death training as living pupil. He was appointed to be next inheritor in 2000. He is also the 16th generation blood descendant of a heroic Daimyo of 信長 (1534~) Nobunaga who fought to stop war. Also saved slave from Africa and gave him a 1st samurai position in the world. His family lineage traces back to the Heian period (A.C. 794~) and connected with another legendary samurai Taira. His original Dojo was established in 1636~ in Japan by his direct family. And received Emperor’s Medal of Honor in 2000. Tsuji is a master of many other arts and taught countless students and masters, and involving competitions and seminars. Experienced over 4,000 performances and demonstrations publicly. |
 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 |
| Hanshi Brian M. Stoia | Hanshi Brian M. Stoia, Kyudan (9th degree black belt), began training in Uechi-ryu Karate in 1973 (Mattson Academy of Karate—Boston); teaching for 35+ years. Fortunate to have trained under a number of outstanding Uechi-ryu masters. Additional Arts: Yang style Taijiquan under Masters Luping Zhang and Huan Zhang Bajiquan under Master Kai Yu Modern Arnis under Master Richard Roy (GM Remy Presas) |
 Lao Shi Marcus 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 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 George Wolff | Master George Wolff is the Owner, CEO and Visionary of Legacy Martial Arts. With a passion for martial arts that began at the age of 8, George has dedicated his life to mastering various disciplines. He holds a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Blue Belt, and is a nationally ranked Master Level 5th Degree Black Belt in Kempo Karate, certified under Hall of Famer Bill "Superfoot" Wallace. |
 Sifu 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 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. |
 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. |
 Master Hongsheng Jin | Master Hongsheng Jin, founder of Jin’s Tai Chi, 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. |
| Shidoin Angelina (Dolly) Read | Shidoin Angelina (Dolly) Read, (5th degree black belt), began training in Uechi-Ryu Karate in 1994 (Hatfield Shubukan, Hatfield MA, teacher—Hanshi Brian M. Stoia). Senior instructor for Hanshi Stoia since 1995. |
 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. |
 Guru Alvin Lewis Jr. | Alvin is a Certified Wasit Juri (referee) for Pencak Sport Silat. He is also a certified Martial Arts, Kickboxing, Yoga and Personal Trainer Instructor. His Silat background is from Satria Fighting Arts and Perguruan Silat Kartika Nusa. |
 Pesilat Shadrach Harriot | Shad is a Certified Wasit Juri (referee) for Pencak Sport Silat. He is a also certified personal trainer and a Pencak Silat practitioner under Satria Fighting Arts. |
 Pesilat Mulyani Prasetya | Mulyani is a Certified Wasit Juri (referee) for Pencak Sport Silat. |
 Pesilat Greg Varstite | Greg is a Certified Wasit Juri (referee) for Pencak Sport Silat. He is also a Pencak Silat practitioner under Satria Fighting Arts. |
 Guru Brandon Stauft | Brandon is a Certified Wasit Juri (referee) for Pencak Sport Silat. He is a Pencak Silat practitioner under Inti Ombak, who is taught by the honorable Daniel Prasetya. |
 Sifu Matthew Lee | Sifu Matthew Lee began practicing Wushu at the age of 7 and was a former six-time US Wushu Team member, once as a junior, four times in Taolu and once in Sanda, representing USA at the Pan American Wushu Championships. Most notably in his competitive career, he became Pan American Champion at the 11th Pan-American Wushu Championships in Lubbock, Texas, USA 2016, and was a two-time national Sanda champion at the USAWKF (United States of America Wushu-Kungfu Federation) Sanda Team Trials & National Championships in 2022 and 2023. His traditional Wushu experience includes traditional Chen Style Taijiquan, zhanzhuang, and Ma Style Tongbei or Tongbei Wuxue. He now serves as a PAWF (Pan American Wushu Federation) certified Sanda judge, and focuses on the learning and promotion of all-around Wushu understanding. |
 Sifu Piankhi Zimmerman | Piankhi Zimmerman has a traditional foundation in Hung Fut. Hailing from Combat Principles MMA under Coach Joshua Peters, Piankhi has a brown belt in BJJ (Brazilian jujutsu), and has become a professional lightweight MMA champion, holding the inaugural Stellar Fights Lightweight MMA Championship, King of the Cage Lightweight Championship, and FightWorld Professional Lightweight Championship belts. Currently, he serves as a Sanda coach, cornerman, and judge, and plans to give kung fu a resurgence through Sanda. |
 Sifu Paul Ho | Paul Ho has been a judge for many tournaments and he has competed at the world Hung Kuen Association tournament where he took top honors winning gold for two person weapon set. He was an avid competitor placing within the top three in every tournament he entered. Today Paul devotes his time to assisting his Sifu GM Calvin Chin in numerous classes including Tai Chi, Tai Chi weapon, both adult and youth Kung Fu. |
 Sifu Matthew Gelfand | Matthew Gelfand is an international Shuai Jiao champion with nearly 30 years of experience in traditional Chinese martial arts, combat sports, and wrestling. Beginning his formal training in 1996 under Sifu James Man Chin, Matthew developed a lifelong foundation in Shuai Jiao and Northern Shaolin Long Fist. His early training also included instruction from Sifu Gavriel Ben Judah, followed by extensive studies in Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Dragon Style Kung Fu under Sifu Joseph Cheung. Matthew has pursued cross-disciplinary training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Sambo, boxing, Capoeira, Shaolin Luohan, and traditional Central Asian wrestling. Around 2013, Matthew studied under Sifu Zhang Weidong for Shuai Jiao. An active competitor since 1996, Matthew is a seven-time National Shuai Jiao Champion, with international first-place finishes in Italy (2012) and San Francisco (2017), and a second-place finish in Italy (2014). In 2015, he traveled to Wenzhou, China, alongside Sifu Mario Polito, where both earned their International Shuai Jiao Referee Certifications. |
 Sifu Harry Fontanez | Harry Fontanez began his martial arts journey at age seven, learning boxing from his father and uncle. Harry continued expanding his expertise through Aiki-Jujitsu, Judo, wrestling, kickboxing, and other combat disciplines. He earned a brown belt in Judo in 1990 and a black belt in Aiki-Jujitsu in 1994. An accomplished competitor, Harry won the 1992 Full Contact Karate Grand Nationals in Puerto Rico and achieved championship success in amateur boxing, kickboxing, and San Da. He later returned to competition after more than 15 years, winning the 2013 and 2014 US Open Martial Arts San Da Championships, including the heavyweight division in 2014. Harry studied Shuai Jiao under Shifu Gavriel Ben Judah, Matthew Gelfand, and Mario Polito. |
 Sifu David Watts | David Watts has practiced Tai Chi for more than 25 years with Master Huan Zhang. He has won medals for both Tai Chi and Tai Chi push hands from international martial arts competitions. Dave has appeared in Tai Chi – Spirit of Kung Fu, a premiere magazine in China. He has participated as a judge for local and International kung fu/martial arts and wrestling tournaments. |
 Xiaoyi Chen | Founder of New England Wushu Academy (NEWA) * Graduate of Beijing Sport University, China * Certified Chinese National Wushu Referee * Pan American Wushu Championships Referee * Former Wushu Instructor at Wellesley College and Harvard Wushu Club |
 Jin Liang | Learn from two grandmasters in traditional Chinese martial arts. Currently teaching Yin & Yang and Five Elements on Long Island. Improve your physical and mental balance for everyday life. |