Sifu Michael Thomas - Traditional Martial Arts Instructor in Victoria, Texas
Sifu Michael Thomas has trained in traditional Chinese martial arts for over 35 years, studying directly under grandmasters such as Lee Kam Wing, Madame Wang Jurong, and Dr. Yang Jwing Ming. He traces his lineage to legendary masters including Wang Ziping, Ip Man, and Wong Fei Hung.
Since 1989, Sifu has taught authentic kung fu in Victoria, Texas, preserving the systems passed to him through direct transmission - Shaolin, Wing Chun, Tai Chi, contemporary wushu, and traditional weapons.
Why Sifu's Background Matters to Your Training
Sifu Michael Thomas didn't learn one system from one teacher. Over 35 years, he sought out masters across the United States, China, Hong Kong, and Cambodia - becoming a lifelong student of multiple complete systems.
Through his teachers - Lee Kam Wing, Madame Wang Jurong, Sifu Lao Yongdong, Jeff Bolt, Li Xianda, Ernie Wu, and others - we trace direct lineage to the legendary masters who shaped Chinese martial arts.
These weren't instructors running commercial schools. They were grandmasters preserving cultural heritage - teaching the systems as they'd received them, not modified for American fitness trends or sport competition.
Before her death in 2005, Madame Wang Jurong gave Sifu a directive: open your own school and preserve what you've learned.
That's why Zhonghua Wushu exists.
How Sifu Teaches
Sifu Michael Thomas teaches the way his masters taught - adapting curriculum to each student's goals, ability, and progression.
Your goals shape your training. Want self-defense? You'll focus on applications and partner drills. Cultural education? Traditional forms and philosophy. Fitness? Conditioning and contemporary wushu.
Experience doesn't matter. Beginners learn fundamental stances and conditioning. Advanced students work complex forms and weapons. Everyone trains together, learning from each other. You progress at your own pace.
He teaches self-sufficiency. You learn forms you can practice anywhere. Conditioning methods passed through generations. Principles that apply across styles. The goal is lifelong practice - not dependence on a school or instructor.
This is traditional transmission - teacher adapting to student, not student fitting into a program.
The way kung fu has been taught for centuries.
Thirty-Five Years of Training Across Three Continents
Early Training - Age 10
Sifu's journey began when he saw a neighborhood friend practicing Seven-Star Praying Mantis kung fu. He enrolled immediately in Grandmaster Lee Kam Wing's lineage and would later travel to Hong Kong as a teenager to train directly with the grandmaster.
Houston - Teens and 20’s
Studied Northern Shaolin under Jeff Bolt, a lifelong student of Grandmaster Yang Jwing Ming. Trained Eight-Step Mantis under Grandmaster Ernie Wu. Met and became lifelong student of Madame Wang Jurong, one of the most influential figures in traditional wushu.
Victoria and Abroad - Adult
While attending college in Victoria, TX, met Li Xianda who taught Wing Chun from Ip Man's lineage, Choy Lay Fut, and Hung Ga. Met Wang Zhongan (Tianjin) who taught regional systems. Became lifelong student of Shaolin master Roberto Baptista. Traveled regularly to Hong Kong, Cambodia, and China — becoming accepted as a disciple under Sifu Lao Wingdong while in Nanning.
Opening the School
Following Madame Wang Jurong's directive to preserve what he'd learned, Sifu opened his first school in Victoria in 1998. He continued studying with her until her death in 2005. Later renamed the school Zhonghua Wushu - "Martial Arts of the Chinese Culture."
Sifu continues teaching in Victoria, honoring Madame Wang Jurong's wish to preserve and promote traditional Chinese martial arts for future generations.
Why Sifu Teaches - Preserving a Living Tradition
Before Madame Wang Jurong died in 2005, she gave Sifu Michael Thomas a directive:
“Open your own school and preserve what you've learned.”
Traditional Chinese martial arts nearly disappeared during China's Cultural Revolution. Many masters were persecuted. Lineages were broken. The grandmasters who taught Sifu were among the last generation to receive complete, unbroken transmission before modernization changed these arts forever.
Sifu teaches because someone has to carry these arts forward. Not as museum pieces, but as living practices students can study for life. Systems preserved through war and cultural upheaval deserve to continue.
Zhonghua Wushu exists to honor that directive. Every class preserves authentic kung fu. Every student becomes part of that transmission - connecting the last generation of traditional masters to the next.
Train With Sifu Michael Thomas
Thirty-five years of study with grandmasters across United States, China, Hong Kong, and Cambodia. Direct lineage to legendary masters. Complete authentic systems. This is what you get access to when you train at Zhonghua Wushu.
Call or text to speak with Sifu Michael Thomas about what you want to learn.
Or walk in Monday-Friday, 4:30-8pm at 2523 N Laurent and observe a class. Ask questions. Get a feel for the school.
No pressure to join. No obligation to commit. Just come see what traditional kung fu looks like.