Sifu Robert A. Gott

Robert A. Gott was born on April 8th 1955 in Buffalo, New York. He began his journey in the martial arts in 1971, after a friend, a first degree black belt in Judo, offered to teach him Judo. A few years later, after having moved to Hamburg, New York he began studying Kempo Karate @ American Self Studios. While working at the steel plant a co-worker suggested he meet Master Wong and Sifu Mandarino and for the next 28 years studied Kung Fu under their guidance.

Sifu Gott, having trained under the guidance of Master Ting Fong Wong and Sifu Mandarino is one of only three students to achieve the rank of Third Degree Black Sash and has almost thirty of training and teaching experience. He has, like his teachers, dedicated himself to the marital arts for almost thirty years and continues to devote himself to the teachings, knowledge and legacy that he has been privileged to achieve. Sifu Gott has successfully competed and performed both nationally and internationally and today, Sifu Gott still believes in the traditional training he learned under the guidance of his teachers.

Sifu Gott is committed to the preservation of the teaching, traditions and values of Hung Gar style Kung Fu. Sifu Gott wishes to continue the proud lineage and traditional training methods to those desiring to widen their knowledge, improve themselves physically and mentally to benefit all aspects of their lives. Regardless size, sex, strength or age Sifu Gott believes that the success in this style is determined by individual perseverance, discipline and humility.

The first half of every class still stresses the basics. The better one knows the basics, the more capable he is of mastering the advanced movements of the system. The second half of the class is dedicated to form training, two man sets, self defense contact drills, and weapons. Because basic training and practicing of the forms are all that are needed for self defense, every class stressed basic horse stances, animal postures, and basic blocking, punching and kicking techniques. Sifu Gott also stresses the importance of Chi Kung Jung Hay internal breathing and hand strengthening exercises. However, keeping with the notion that sparring techniques are a good training device for students and for participating with tournaments, these techniques are also taught.

Sifu Gott considers his students his family. He is the father, the teacher, the head of the family, and all of the students are as children, brothers and sisters, all working in harmony to achieve a common goal. The reason for this harmony is simple - all of us want to see ourselves grow in the art.