On this page . . .

You will find out about Shaolin Academy's 3rd principle, Dai Sifu John; how he came to be in this position and some of the achievements that took him there.

A Different View

Dai Sifu John truly belongs to the Panthers of this world. Dai Sifu John started training with Shaolin Academy very late 1998 after moving across from Tae Kwan Do where he was a Red Belt. Together with his then partner Sharon, they trained anywhere up to 7 days a week. Dai Sifu John has always h ad a fascination with the Martial Arts and a strong interest in health and fitness as well. Dai Sifu John completed a Bachelor Degree at Monash University during which time he studied and majored in the health sciences Physiology, Anatomy, Psychology, Biology etc) and is curious to explore some of the alternative therapies as well.

Dai Sifu John has also achieved many martial art & Kung Fu career highlights over his years of training with Shaolin Academy;

• Promotion to White & Yellow Sash June 1999
• Promotion to Orange & Green Sash- June 1999
• Persistency and Consistency Silver - June 1999
• Promotion to Red & Purple Sash - Dec 1999
• Promotion to Blue & Navy - Dec 1999
• Persistency & Consistency Gold - Dec 1999
• Persistency & Consistency Bronze - June 2000
• Promotion to Brown Sash with Credit - Dec 2000
• Persistency & Consistency Bronze - Dec 2000
• 1st Class Own unsupervised Class - Feb 2001
• Unaided class teaching while Instructors and Masters were training at Shaolin China - May 2001
• Special thank you Shaolin Chinese Broadsword awarded for excellent teaching while Masters in China
• Promoted to full Black Sash - June 2001
• Level 1 Teaching Certificate - June 2001
• Best stances in a grading Bronze - June 2001
• Leading the first intermediate level class and regular teaching - August 2001
• Persistency & Consistency Gold - June 2001
• Accredited as a Level 1 Instructor - Dec 2001
• First Inclusion into the White Sash Work Book - 25 Oct 2001
• 300th class - December 2001
• 500th class - June 2002
• Promoted to Level 1 Examiner - Sept 02
• Promoted to Level 2 Instructor - Dec 03
• 1000th Class - 15 Apr 04
• Promoted to Uchi-Deshi Int Go Ju Karate Do CMAA - Sept - 2004
• Promoted to Level 2 Examiner - Dec 04
• Promoted to Level 3 Instructor - Dec 04
• Awarded full Black Belt by Tino Ceberano of International Goju
• Highest Class Attendance Holder since - 15 June 05 (previously held by Sifu 3rd Degree Chris Serong since Oct 1999 - 1259 classes)
• Awarded his Third Degree in Shaolin 170 Move Grappling
• 2,000 classes Taught & Trained Wednesday 6 February 2008

Dai Sifu John is currently working on developing his own aspect of the Panther, the Puma. He has already discovered a number of aspects of the Puma which differ from the Panther and thus allow for a different strategy and style within the Panther system.

As is the custom with Shaolin Kung Fu; upon reaching Black Sash the student is to experience another Martial Art. Dai Sifu John chose the honorable Okinawan Goju, founded in Australia by Tino Ceberano and currently headed and managed by his son, Paul Ceberano. This is very satisfying for Sijo as Goju was Sijo's first karate Black Sash in 1976. Dai Sifu John has successfully completed his 1 Dan in Goju and thus been promoted to 3rd Degree in Shaolin Kung Fu.

Dai Sifu John is now the Principle Instructor of Shaolin 170 Moves Grappling!

If you have any questions or would just like to write to John just click on the following line Dai Sifu John Psiharis or if you wish to write to Sijo Robert Z click on the underlined.