"I believe that Wushu is a high level art and has a lot to contribute especially to serious students like me. Without Wushu, I never would have experienced the style that has affected and helped me with my improvement with my previous other traditional Kung Fu styles."

- Landy Keil

“Wushu Central has had many effects on my overall being since I joined in July 2004.

The first thing I noticed was the physical change in my body. My muscular composition has grown more toned and I feel stronger every class I attend. I have also noticed a significant difference in flexibility and agility.

In regards to my mind, I find myself more focused these days, and increasingly disciplined.

I am growing quite attached to Wushu Central and I make a one-hour commute from the East Bay just to attend classes.

In the beginning, I joined Wushu Central for the workout. Soon after, I found myself very excited about the prospect of incorporating wushu into my daily life. I believe wushu to be a very beautiful and self-enriching art."

- Kristi Kerr

"I looked into a few different martial arts schools before stumbling upon Wushu Central and I even attended 2 or 3 lessons at another school while simultaneously attending the first few sessions at Wushu Central.

While the instruction at the other school was good, the ideology signified at Wushu Central exceeded my expectations, and thus it was my first choice for instruction.

I was not only impressed with Sifu Chang's outstanding accomplishments in Wushu, but I also appreciated Sifu Chang's attention to child development and his interest and experience in reaching out to troubled youth...

If I had not discovered Wushu Central I might have enrolled in another school, however I'm not sure I would feel as satisfied or as passionate about Wushu as I do now..."

- Stacie Granada Vigil


» More Testimonials

Sifu David Chang


Introduction

Sifu (Master) David Chang, winner of the U.S. Nationals in Wushu in 2001, has appeared several times in publications such as Qigong Kungfu Magazine, the Chinese World Journal, and the San Jose Mercury News, and on television shows such as NBC News and the Discovery Channel.

He is one of the United State's foremost experts in Wushu, has coached a number of national Wushu champions, and owns Wushu Central, one of the nation's most successful Wushu schools.


Martial Arts Training

For Sifu Chang, Wushu is an all-encompassing passion and the great love of his life. He began studying Wushu at the age of eighteen with Sifu Bryant Fong and the U.C. Berkeley Wushu Team. There he developed his basic foundations in Wushu, but it was not until a couple years later, when he entered his first competition at the 1996 USAWKF Western Regional Championships, that he truly discovered his love for the sport. Sifu Chang began an intense training regimen that included study under China's national champion Sifu Hao Zhi Hua and summer practice in China with the Beijing Wushu Team under the supervision of Jet Li's own coach, Wu Bin.

Sifu Chang attributes his success and inspiration to the many outstanding coaches he has studied under, including in the United States: Hao Zhi Hua, Bryant Fong, Liu Bo, Li Jing, Dale Chung, and Tony Chen. In Beijing, he trained with Sun Ming Li, Zhu Wei Guang, Zhang Xian Ming, Liu Yang, Cui Ya Hui, as well as a host of other Beijing Wushu Team athletes. He comments, "Every single one of my coaches, in their own unique way, has contributed to my development as a martial artist. I owe everything to each and every one of them."

Sifu Chang's Wushu expertise covers both traditional and contemporary styles, including Shaolin, Long Fist, Southern Fist, Staff, Straight Sword, Broadsword, Spear, Drunken Fist, Eagle Claw, Praying Mantis, Drunken Sword, Plum Flower Fist, Wu Dang Sword, and more. In addition to Wushu, Sifu Chang also has extensive experience in Tae Kwon Do, as well as Karate, Judo, and Hapkido.


Child Development

Sifu Chang embraces the topic of child development with great passion and seriousness. Having studied martial arts as a youth, he is familiar with the powerful character development characteristics of martial arts training. It was the self-confidence, focus, and discipline developed through martial arts which helped him earn an over 4.0 GPA at Bellarmine College Preparatory, a score of 1480 on the SAT, and admission to U.C. Berkeley.

Sifu Chang emphasizes in each class that students must develop a "black belt attitude" - a winning mind-set that perseveres and refuses to give up regardless of how difficult the task may be. He also stresses the development of courtesy and respect, positive thinking, and goal setting skills.

It is a program which works: Young students proudly tell Sifu Chang about difficult situations they encountered and how they overcame them with determination. Parents remark that after beginning classes at Wushu Central, their children complete their homework assignments without being reminded and their grades have improved.


Competition

Sifu Chang's Wushu tournament record includes over 40 awarded medals and winning Grand Championships at the 1998 Annual Open Classic Belt Tournament in San Jose, the First International Eagle Cup Kung Fu Tournament in San Francisco, the 15th and 16th Chinese American Athletic Tournament in Cupertino, the 2000 and 2001 Grand Championship Festival in Scottsdale, Arizona, and at the end of his competitive career winning Men's All-Around Champion at the 2001 USAWKF U.S. Nationals in San Diego.

From most recent to oldest:

2001 USAWKF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS San Diego, CA 2001
  • Winner of two gold medals, one silver medal, and one bronze medal
  • Recipient of the men's all-around champion award

2001 GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP FESTIVAL 

 Scottsdale, AZ  2001
  •  Winner of four gold medals and one silver medal
  • Recipient of the men's all-around champion award
2000 USAWKF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS  San Diego, CA 2000
  • Winner of four silver medals and one bronze medal
16th CHINESE AMERICAN ATHLETIC TOURNAMENT Cupertino, CA  2000
  • Winner of two gold medals
  • Recipient of the team grand champion award
2000 GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP FESTIVAL Scottsdale, AZ 2000
  • Winner of four gold medals and one silver medal
  • Recipient of the men's all-around champion award
15th CHINESE AMERICAN ATHLETIC TOURNAMENT  Cupertino, CA 1999
  • Winner of three gold medals
  • Recipient of the men's grand champion award
USAWKF WESTERN REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Berkeley, CA 1999
  • Winner of three gold medals
FIRST INTL. EAGLE CUP KUNG FU TOURNAMENT San Francisco, CA  1998
  • Winner of three gold medals and one silver medal
  • Recipient of the men's grand champion award
1998 ANNUAL OPEN CLASSIC BELT TOURNAMENT  San Jose, CA 1998
  • Winner of three gold medals
  • Recipient of the Advanced Hand Forms grand champion award
  • Recipient of the Advanced Weapons grand champion award
USAWKF WESTERN REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Berkeley, CA 1998
  • Winner of four gold medals and one silver medal
  • Recipient of the men's grand champion award


The Highest Standards

To Sifu Chang, Wushu, child development, personal safety, and fitness are all both art and science. With a degree in biology from U.C. Berkeley and previous experience as an Emergency Medical Technician, he takes a very academic approach to learning and teaching martial arts. His office bookshelf is covered with books on exercise physiology, child psychology, life success, and medicine.

In teaching, Sifu Chang firmly believes that Americans can eventually learn to meet China's standards of Wushu. He pays strict attention to detail and proper technique while explaining the methods and theories behind them. He also tailors training to the individual needs of students, knowing that Wushu has something valuable to offer everybody, regardless of age, gender, or walk of life. He notes, "Everyone has a different goal. Some simply want a good workout, and that's great. Others may be aiming for the Olympics, and if that's the case, we will train you like an Olympic athlete. The important thing is that you get what you want from Wushu, and that as a result you live a healthier and happier life."


Sifu Chang can be reached in Wushu Central at (408) 850-9479, or by emailing info@wushucentral.com.


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