Andy Ahpo
1 Course • 2 StudentsBiography
Grandmaster Andy Ah Po began his martial arts training early in his youth in Hawaii. At age 6 he began studying Sil Lum Gung Fu. During his early school years in the islands he achieved Black Belts in Jiu Jitsu, Aikido, and Japanese Karate. He left the islands in 1959 to join the U.S. Air Force.
The year 2023 marks Grandmaster Ah Po's 76th year in the martial arts and his 64th year as a Tang Soo Do practitioner, having begun training in the art in 1959 under Grandmaster Mariano Estioko. He opened his own martial arts studio in Carmichael, California in 1966 and continues to teach at his current studio in Sacramento.
During the 1960's and 70's, Grandmaster Ah Po held several national and international championship titles in both forms and free-fighting competition including the California and Northwestern United States Heavyweight Championship titles and a Grand Champion title in the prestigious Long Beach International Championships that was sponsored by the legendary Ed Parker.
He was also a Charter Member of the U.S. Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation, formerly the U.S. Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation and for over 27 years and served as a member of the Board of Directors in the capacity of Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. He also served as Regional Examiner as well as a member of the Technical Advisory Committee, as an appointee of Grandmaster Hwang Kee, founder of Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan.
Grandmaster Andy Ah Po began his martial arts training early in his youth in Hawaii. At age 6 he began studying Sil Lum Gung Fu. During his early school years in the islands he achieved Black Belts in Jiu Jitsu, Aikido, and Japanese Karate. He left the islands in 1959 to join the U.S. Air Force.
Grandmaster Ah Po passed away on November 23, 2023 the last person he promoted was Master Daniel Segarra to 9th Dan.
