EDMUND WOO
Instructor

EDMUND WOO is an avid lifelong practitioner of the martial arts. Starting as a teenager, Edmund received his black belt after four years of study in the Tae Kwon Do Chung Do Kwan system from Master Billy Hong. Later, as Tae Kwon Do was a predominantly kicking system, Edmund decided to supplement his kicking skills by studying Wing Chun Kung Fu, a rapid punching and trapping style that Bruce Lee made famous.

In his practice of Wing Chun, Edmund studied with many masters including Yip Ching, a kung fu “brother” of Bruce Lee and the son of Bruce Lee’s teacher. After ten years of study in the Wing Chun system, Edmund was awarded his red sash from Master Francis Fong of Atlanta, Georgia. Additional martial arts that Edmund has studied include Western Boxing, Muay Thai Boxing, and Tai Chi.

Edmund spent the last two years studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and has received his Blue Belt from Jacare Calvacanti of the Alliance system. Besides the obvious benefits such as self defense and physical exercise, Edmund holds self discipline, perseverance and respect as the highest benefits that he has received from his practice of the martial arts and hopes to pass along these benefits to the students in the children’s class.

RAFAEL ROSENDO
Instructor

RAFAEL ROSENDO

Rafael began his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training in 1997 and attained his black belt from Edmilson Alves in 2002. Head instructor at Alliance Greenville in South Carolina, Rafael is a very technical teacher as well as a fierce successful competitor; he can both teach and do.

As a competitor, Rafael has medaled in countless competitions. His most recent successes include: 2008 and 2009 Lutador Open Class winner, 2008 NAGA Gi and No Gi Winner in Georgia, 2009 Copa America Open Class Gi and No Gi Winner, and 2009 International Open in New York 3rd Place Middleweight and Open Class first place.

Rafael continues his personal improvement as part of the Alliance Team with instruction from Romero “Jacare” Cavalcanti and as a part of Alliance Crossfit. He represents and lives all of the best qualities of a true Brazilian Jiu Jitsu warrior.