Our Instructors

SiJo Waysun Johnny Tsai -
Founder of C.U.M.A. (Combined Universal Martial Applications)
Global Chief Instructor For C.U.M.A. Practical Tactical Training and "THE A.R.C." (All Range Combat).

SiJo (founder) Waysun "Johnny" Tsai was born of both Taiwanese and Puerto Rican descent on April 11, 1972. He began his official Martial Arts training over 30 years ago on the north side of Chicago under his father, Shaolin Grandmaster John Chi Yuan Tsai. At the age of sixteen, SiJo Tsai received his first level black sash certification in Tsai Family Chuan Fa Kung Fu and Tai Kit Kuen Kung Fu under Master Steven G. Abbate. 

Between the ages of sixteen and nineteen SiJo went on to run three different locations of his father's schools as the Chief Instructor. It was then that Sijo began to travel extensively around the globe with his father in order to train with and participate in many seminars with some of the greatest names in the martial arts.
 
Today, "Sijo" Tsai is considered to be one of the world's foremost experts in practical street defense. He currently serves as chief instructor in North America in the Tsai's Family Chuan Fa Kung Fu System. He currently holds the rank of eighth degree black sash in both the Tsai Family System and an in Tai Kit Kuen. He is also the founder of C.U.M.A. (Combined Universal Martial Applications) and the A.R.C reality based fighting program (All Range Combat). 
 
Waysun Johnny Tsai has also served as an USAWKF committee member (www.usawkf.org) for full contact San Shou (2007-2008).
He has over 25 years of experience in teaching the martial arts. Since 2006, His teachings have reached more than 250,000 people via live training, books, magazines, television, DVD and other online media outlets including You Tube, WNUR SCOPE RADIO (Northwestern University) www.scoperadio.com and the WGN Channel 9 Morning news segment (Around Here, April 2010).
 
 
Some of Waysun Johnny Tsai's most recognizable students include: Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr and AT&T Cotton Bowl hall of fame player Kris Haines (retired Chicago Bears).


Published Books:
- Practical Kung Fu Street Defense (Random House/Triumph Books, Spring 2008, www.triumphbooks.com)
 
Published DVDs:
- Combat Kung Fu Series: Shadow Palm (Beckett Media/Unique Publications) Summer 2007.
- Combat Kung Fu Series: Defensive Concepts and Applications (Beckett Media/Unique Publications) Summer 2007.
- Volume One: Practical Tactical Pen Street Defense (TKFI) June 2009.
- Volume Two: Practical Tactical Impact And Edged Weapons (TKFI) January 2010.
- The Practical Tactical Schrade Pen (Taylor Brands LLC) Summer 2010.
- Volume Three: Practical Tactical A.R.C. (All Range Combat) July, 2010
- The C.U.M.A RAM TACTICAL PEN (www.cumaram.com) Winter 2010
- The Essential S.W.A.T. Baton (Taylor Brands LLC) Debuts at SHOT Show 2011
 
Additional Products  Designed by Waysun Johnny Tsai: 
The C.U.M.A. RAM Tactical Pen (www.cumaram.com) Now Available. 
The C.U.M.A. EVOLUTION 6" Fixed Blade (www.topsknives.com) Available September 2010.
 
Sijo Currently Writes Articles On Practical Street Defense for:
Laura Burgess Marketing, the LBM Newsletter, Tactical Gear Magazine, Inside Kung Fu Magazine and TRAINERS COMMAND POSTwww.trainerscp.com.
 
 
Recent Awards:
Awarded into 2010 Action Magazine HOF (Jan 2010)
 
Filmography:
Tinderbox (Asset- www.powerforwardfilms.com 2010)
Book of Swords ( Thug/Ninja-2005) Available on dvd

 
Press:
- Tactical Gear Magazine- Winter Issue 2010
- Inside kung fu Magazine (With Kris Haines) August, 2010.
- Inside kung fu Magazine (WJT's Practical Tactical Pen, Feb 2010)
- Inside Kung Fu Magazine (TKFI 45th Anniversary Article,October 2009)
- Inside Kung Fu Magazine (Blazing His Own Path, Nov 2008)
- Inside Kung Fu magazine (Cover Story, May 2007)
- Inside Kung Fu magazine (with Jesse Jackson, Jr. May 2006)
- Inside Kung Fu magazine (Cover Story, March 2006)
- Art Of The Warrior magazine (November 2009)
- Art of the Warrior magazine (Cover article, February 2007)
- Art of the Warrior magazine (Cover article, August 2006)
- Art of the Warrior magazine (Cover article, March 2006)
- The Beverly Review: Health and Fitness Special (Jan 2008)
- Chicago Minority Journal (Southside S Kung Fu/ May 2007)
- Chicago Loop News (It's Time For self Defense 2006)
- 14 minute report on KBC/ Asian American News (October 2006)
- 12 minute feature report on KBC/Asian American News (Lenny Kim, Reporter; February 2006)
 
Current Product Sponsors Include:  BENCHMADE AND TOPPS KNIVES.


If you are a member of the media and wish to pursue an article on Tsai's Kung Fu or an interview with Waysun Johnny Tsai please contact:
 
PR CONTACT:
Ashley Burgess
Laura Burgess Marketing
ashley@lauraburgess.com
 
Private lessons, corporate training or seminars with SiJo Waysun Johnny Tsai are available. 
Email Matt@Cumaram.com  or call 773.227.1888.