John Scolaro
Praying Mantis Shifu
The information presented in this chart was collected from different sources -see Bibliography-, therefore the romanizations in Pinyin according to the Mandarin pronunciation of the characters sometimes is not available. If you find any mistakes or inaccuracies please contact me.
Shifu John Scolaro began his studies of Martial Arts at the age of 14 training Hua Lin Tang Lang Quan. He trained this style for four years and travelled throughout China’s Shan Dong, Henan, and Guangdong Provinces studying Martial Arts.
After completion of High School shifu John Scolaro moved to Taiwan, where he lived and studied under shifu Shi Zheng Zhong for over 9 years.
Under his master, shifu John Scolaro has trained several praying mantis boxing styles and while studying in Taiwan, he led the majority of shifu Shi Zheng Zhong classes. Also in Taiwan, shifu John Scolaro represented shifu Shi Zheng Zhong in conducting Martial Arts classes at numerous Taiwan schools including colleges and universities. Shifu John Scolaro was instrumental in coaching an entire Jr. High School, (1000 students) to demonstrate Martial Arts in the opening ceremony of the 1993 Taiwan National Olympics. The opening ceremonies were attended by, the Provincial Governor.
Shifu John Scolaro has obtained many tournament victories, documented in many Asian magazines, newspaper articles, broadcast, and within the Taiwan National Martial Arts Association.
Shifu John Scolaro returned to Florida in year 2000 to establish the "Pong Lai Martial Arts Training Center, U.S.A." The only Pong Lai School, outside of Asia.
Pong Lai Wu Ji Tong Long Mun. “Pong Lai” is an older name used to describe Taiwan, such as Formosa was used. “Pong Lai” is also a County in Shan Dong, China (the birthplace Province of the Praying Mantis style). “Wu Ji”, means; unmatchable, or indefinitely the ultimate. “Tong Long Men” means simply, Praying Mantis Style.
Page Updated: 1st January 2002.
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