WONG, Herbert Z. Ph.D

Herbert Z. Wong Sensei's, Hachidan (8th dan) first exposure to the martial arts occurred in the Chinese schools he attended as a young boy in San Francisco's Chinatown. Martial arts were taught as part of the cultural arts curriculum and on an ad hoc basis at Chinese com-munity centers. In 1959, Wong Sensei began his formal martial arts training in karate-do with Walter E. Todd Sensei at the International Judo, Karate and Aikido School. He was one of the first group of
students at the school to earn a Shodan (1st Dan),which he received in 1961. He continued to train diligently and was awarded his Nidan (2nd Dan) in 1963.

The United States Army drafted Wong Sensei in 1963 and sent him to Okinawa. During that time, he began training with Shimabukuro Eizo Sensei, Judan (10th Dan) in Shorin Ryu karate-do. Throughout the time he was in Okinawa, Wong Sensei managed to train almost every single day. Because of this dedication and his previous experience, Wong Sensei earned his Shodan in Shorin Ryu near the end of 1964. He was awarded his Nidan in August of 1965, which was shortly before he finished his military service and returned to the United States.

After returning from Okinawa, Wong Sensei resumed his undergraduate studies at San Francisco State University and continued to practice Shorin Ryu. In 1965, he started the Asian Martial Arts School in San Francisco with Andrew Chan Sensei. He also began training in Sil-Lum Hung Gar (Tiger-Crane) kung fu under Master Y.C. Wong in San Francisco that same year. Wong Sensei was one of Master Wong's first three students in the United States. Wong Sensei continued to train with Master Wong and teach at the Asian Martial Arts School until he left the San Francisco Bay area to pursue his graduate studies.

In September of 1970, Wong Sensei began his doctoral program at The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. While simultaneously pursuing his doctorate degrees in clinical and organizational psychology, he was also teaching classes in Okinawan karate-do and Chinese kung fu. In 1974, Wong Sensei was also made the head of Shorin Ryu for the Midwestern and Southern Divisions of the United States by Shimabukuro O’Sensei.

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