Sibok Rocco Ambrose

Martial Arts Biography

We did not live in the best neighborhood, so it seemed desirable to know something about self defense. I was sold on martial arts when I put a bully on his back after training with a neighborhood Judo club. From then on I studied whatever martial arts I could find: TKD, Moo Duk Kwon, Tang Soo Do, Southern Shaolin Kung Fu. I knew a lot of martial arts but little about fighting and real self-defense. This point was hammered home to me when I began sparring with a Golden Glove boxer. I found that most of my martial arts techniques didn't work against a real fighter. The martial arts were off my list and self defense was my new objective. A little research convinced me that what I needed was Wing Chun. However the only thing available was a Wing Chun Do school about 40 minutes from my house. As a life long Bruce Lee fan, I was pleased to find the Wing Chun Do - James DeMile - Bruce Lee connection

In 1984, I had the pleasure of meeting Sijo James DeMile in a seminar at the school and realized that I wanted to be an instructor in WCD. In 1985, after receiving my brown belt, I along with several Sihings (senior instructors) petitioned Sijo DeMile to start a new instructor-training program. I was convinced that WCD was the best self-defense system in the world.

In 1988, I was certified as Basic WCD Instructor (Sifu) and began teaching at the local YMCA. In 1989, I opened my first school and began to develop my teaching skills. After running a successful school for several years, I received full certification as an Advanced Level WCD Instructor in 1993.

In 1996, was chosen charter member of the Board of Directors for the Wing Chun Do International Association. In 1999, received promotion to Sibok (Senior Instructor ) and began training instructors for WCD International. Actively teaching seminars and instructor training camps throughout the U.S. and abroad. Appeared in Grandmaster James W. DeMile's book the Tao of Wing Chun Do and is featured on DeMile's video, Bruce Lee's One and Three Inch Power Punch. In June 2001, at the first Annual Wing Chun Do Convention, held in Waikiki, Hawaii, was named Instructor of the Decade for his innovations and contributions to Wing Chun Do.

In 2002, Sijo presented Sibok with the prestigious Sijo Award.