Sifu Kingston Ko

Sifu Kingston Ko was first exposed to martial arts at a young age by his father, an ex-soldier in the Taiwanese military. He introduced Sifu Ko to basic Qin Na techniques, fighting stances, and light self-defense which planted his seeds of interest in Kung Fu. Working with his father, an owner in a Chinese restaurant, Sifu Ko had the opportunity in his youth, to occasionally pick up a brief lesson from a cook or waiter who had studied Chinese martial arts on the mainland.

Sifu Ko soon began to seek out more formal training, especially after watching some of his childhood friends earn black belts in Karate. However, it seemed as if they earned these prestigious honors more through dues and fees rather than by skill and discipline. This was discouraging so he decided to continue his search for something more traditional. Unsuccessful, Sifu Ko entered high school with athletic aspirations - playing football, running track, and working out at the gym.

After completing his master's degree in 2004, he began to pursue an interest in a career in the FBI. He started an intense training regimen to better prepare him, which included a change in diet and a heavy, 6-day a week gym routine. It was at this time Sifu Ko began to look for and research a traditional kung fu school to further his mental and physical growth. His investigations led him to the Northern Shaolin Academy and Sigung Norman Smith. Speaking with Sigung Smith, he quickly realized the Northern Shaolin Academy was dedicated not only to physical training but proper education and terminology as well. It was truly the complete package he was looking for.

It wasn’t long before Sifu Ko became enamored with Tien Shan Pai and the expert instruction, devotion, and commitment to the ancient forms and techniques taught by Sigung Norman Smith and Sifu Jamal El. Many years later Sifu Ko was honored to earn his black sash in Tien Shan Pai and has continued to advance and develop his training to this day. In addition to Tien Shan Pai, Sifu Ko has also begun training in Wing Chun. He understands true mastery takes a lifetime and knows there are no shortcuts to greatness.

By day Sifu Ko works as a Software Test Engineer and is also an owner in an auto detailing business and a part-time photographer.