ABOUT THE ACADEMY INSTRUCTORS
SIFU AL ZEPEDA, HEAD INSTRUCTOR
Sifu Al Zepeda has over 44 years martial arts experience. As a teenager, he began his martial arts training back in 1972, becoming a black belt in Shotokan Karate.
In 1983, Al began his training in Wing Chun Kung Fu. He studied with Sifu Bill Wong, a member of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame. While training with Sifu Wong, Al met Sifu Francis Fong out of Atlanta Georgia. In 1987, after completing studies with Sifu Wong, Al began studies under Sifu Fong and has trained with him since.
In September of 1995, Al received his 1st degree black sash under Sifu Fong. Through Sifu Fong, Al has studied and practiced Wing Chun Kung Fu, Filipino Kali, Muay Thai Kickboxing, and Brazilian JuJitsu. His base art is Wing Chun, which has been very exciting and dynamic training.
Sifu Al Zepeda is a 5th degree Black Sash in Wing Chun under Sifu Francis Fong. He is also a certified Senior Full Instructor and active member in the Francis Fong Instructor Association. Sifu Al has taught children, adults, law enforcement officers, and military personnel. Believing that you never stop learning, Sifu Al continues his martial arts education, studies, and practice at the Francis Fong Academy. With Sifu Al Zepeda’s experience, he is an effective instructor and knowledgeable martial artist.
Sifu Zepeda teaches martial arts in the Duncan area of South Carolina.
SIFU ANTONY ZEPEDA, ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR
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For as long as he can remember, Antony always watched his father (Sifu Al Zepeda) train in Wing Chun Kung Fu. From going to Sifu Francis Fong's academy for private lessons, classes, and weekend seminars, to watching him teach the art of Wing Chun to students in class, Antony has been there. His personal martial arts experience began in 1994, under his father. He was 10 years old and the first child in the kids class. Since it was only Antony and Sifu at the time, all his training was basically like private lessons. They would train for hours until the adults class began. Once Antony was of age (and height), he participated in the adults class.
A few years later with Wing Chun as a base art, Antony decided to participate in the sport of wrestling in High School. Throughout all 4 years, he wrestled the lighter weight classes from 103lbs to 125lbs. Finally during his senior year, Antony made it to the State Championships where he placed in the top 5 for his weight class.
In 2003, Antony earned his Black Sash and has been an assistant instructor to the Al Zepeda Academy. Sifu Antony spends 2-3 times per week training, teaching, and helping share his skill and knowledge to the students at the academy. He's often taught class in Sifu’s absence, more times than he can count. In addition to Wing Chun, Sifu Antony has undertaken studies, skills, and knowledge, with a more than basic understanding, of Phillipino Kali and Muay Thai from his father.
In 2005, Sifu Antony began attending Training with the Masters seminars under Francis Fong and enrolled in the then called ITP (Instructor Training Program) at the Francis Fong Academy. Since then, Sifu Antony has been promoted to Brown sash under Sifu Fong and continues to gain more and more martial arts skills.
In addition to his Wing Chun and wrestling experience, Sifu Antony has attended Brazilian Jiu Jitsu seminars under Professor Pedro Sauer and earned more Kali experience through Guru Larry Rice, in Asheville, NC. Sifu Antony claims all of these arts blend so well together and that one will directly flow into the other depending on what the situation calls for. Sifu Antony Zepeda states Wing Chun is still his main focus, but believes it is always good to expand your knowledge of other fighting arts.
SIFU CHARLIE SCHULTZ, ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR
Sifu Charlie Schultz has had an interest in martial arts since 1984. Inspired by Bruce Lee, she began her quest looking for Chinese Kung Fu. At the time, there were no known Chinese Kung Fu schools in the area where she lived. Charlie settled for what was available, gaining experience in Tae Kwon Do and Kenpo Karate.
Charlie was feeling discouraged because she really wanted to learn Chinese Kung Fu, most particularly the arts Bruce Lee studied and taught. Then in 2004, to her good fortune, she met actor Jackson Bostwick, most famous for portraying Captain Marvel in the 1970's tv series "Shazam". While picking out a photo for him to autograph, she noticed Mr. Bostwick had a picture of himself posing with the world famous Guru Dan Inosanto. There were also many other photos with Mr. Bostwick in various martial arts stances. Astonished that he was a fellow martial arts practitioner, training under Guru Dan, Charlie struck up a conversation with him. She told him of her dilemma, having trouble finding Chinese Kung Fu where she lived. Mr. Bostwick encouraged her not to give up on her search. "Do not settle for anything less than Wing Chun or Jeet Kune Do. I guarantee you it's worth it".
As luck would have it, in 2005 Charlie met Wing Chun instructor, Sifu Al Zepeda and quickly enrolled in The Al Zepeda Martial Arts Academy. Training among male students, in March of 2011, Charlie proudly became Sifu Al's first and only female black sash thus far. Sifu Charlie is currently at Instructor level 2 with Sifu Zepeda. She is continuing her Wing Chun training and is gaining additional training with Sifu Al's instructor, Sifu Francis Fong, at The Francis Fong Martial Arts Academy in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
Sifu Charlie Schultz is also a talented graphic artist/illustrator. She is highly proficient in doing martial arts lineage drawings as well as paintings, murals, t-shirt designs and much, much more!