American Kickboxing
Instructors
Guro David Bird
Guro David Bird began his martial arts studies in 1966 at a Judo school in Key West, Florida. Mr. Bird moved to Dallas, Texas in 1969 and began his study of Tae Kwon Do. Mr. Bird, after relocating to Seattle, Washington, received his black belt in Tae Kwon Do in 1977. In 1979 Mr. Bird moved to Tacoma, Washington where he met Master Brocka and began his Arnis training. Guro Bird trained intensively with Master Brocka until 1984. Guro Bird has also trained with the Presas brothers, and the Filipino National Arnis Team. Through much of the 1990's Guro Bird trained with and sponsored seminars with Sifu Richard Bustillo. Sifu Bustillo is a former student of Bruce Lee and a training partner of Dan Inosanto.
For more information on Remy Presas, please visit www.modernarnis.com. For more information on Sifu Richard Bustillo, please visit www.imbacademy.com.
Guro Bird's certifications are:
- 1977 black belt Tae Kwon Do
- 1983 1st Antas Red Philippine Combat Arnis
- 1983 1st Dan Shotokan Karate
- 1989 5th Dan Shotokan Karate
Guro Bird competed heavily in tournaments from 1983 to 1990, taking titles in weapons, kumite, and forms. He also was featured in numerous martial arts magazines from 1984 to 1990.
From 1995 to 2000 Mr. Bird owned and operated the Tae-Sho Kickboxing-Arnis-Submission gym in Tacoma. Mr. Bird not only taught Arnis, but incorporated into his unique style Boxing, Kickboxing and Grappling skills. During this time, he was not only a teacher, but a coach to many amateur and professional fighters.
Guro Bird began teaching at the Gig Harbor Karate Academy in August of 2004.