Sifu Jon Rister - Martial Arts Experience

1964

Born in Los Angeles, CA

1974

Competed in wrestling in Grant Pass, Oregon

1978

Competed in wrestling in Grant Pass, Oregon

1986

Began seminar training in Muay Thai under Master Ajarn Surachai "Chai" Sirisute. Master Chai was a Thai Boxing champion in the early sixties and is now the president of the U.S.A Thai Boxing Association.

1986

Began seminar training in Wing Chun Kung Fu under Francis Fong. Sifu Fong is one of the top Wing Chun instructors and martial artists in the world.

1986

Began seminar training under Guro Dan Inosanto. Guro Dan is considered to be one of the foremost experts in the Filipino Martial arts. He is also a former training partner of the late Bruce Lee and is one of only two people in the world certified by Bruce Lee to teach his art.

1986

Began seminar training and studies in Jun Fan Gung Fu, Jeet Kune Do concepts and grappling under the guidance of Sifu Larry Hartsell. Sifu Hartsell founded the Hartsell Grappling Association and was a student of the late Bruce Lee and Guro Dan Inosanto.

1987

Other seminars attended during this time period:

• Wu Wei Kung Fu with Joseph Cowels
• Giron Arnis Escrima with Tony Somera
• Doce Pares canate with Doug Cuesta and Valentine Espiricueta (two times world champion in stick fighting)

1987

Founded the Wu Hsin Kuen Academy of martial arts in Dallas, TX

1987 thru 1991

Taught Jun fan and kali in conjunction with Valentine Espiricueta at the WHK.

1990 thru 1994

Competed in Full contact kickboxing under T.A.C.K.A Association and full contact stick fighting under the W.E.K.A.F: placed third in the middleweight division.

1995

Teaching at the Wu Hsin Kuen Academy of martial arts in Dallas, TX

2000

Certified in escrima, Kali and Arnis under Sifu Valentine Espiricueta.

2001

Founded the Wu Hsin Kuen Academy of Martial Arts Association with the first satellite school located in Oulu; Finland under the direction of apprentice instructor Risto Hietala. Sifu Rister continues to have yearly seminars in Oulu, as well as attending seminars and camps himself in Texas and Atlanta, Georgia.

2003

Sifu Rister was honored by Guro Dan Inosanto in becoming a certified apprentice instructor under him in Jun Fan and Filipino Martial Arts.

2005

Certified as an associate instructor in Wing Chun by Sifu Francis Fong.

• Jun Fan kung fu: apprentice instructor under guro Dan Inosanto
• Filipino martial Arts: apprentice instructor under guro Dan Inosanto
• Wing Chun kung fu: associate instructor under sifu Francis Fong
• Muay Thai: seminar studies under ajarn Chai Sirisute and Guro Dan Inosanto