Who is this guy?

[Mantella]

Anybody know anything about this dude:

http://southfloridachineseboxingassociation.com/Southern_Praying_Mantis.htm

[tnwingtsun]

no

[bong]

No mention of his Sifu, his lineage or links to any of the usual suspects.

Lets see now,,,,,Union City....1970's-80's.....

Verrrrrrrrrry interesting.

[HuangKaiVun]

Yes, verrrrrrrry interesting.

Ordinarily I'm not impressed by what I see on websites, but this teacher showed enough technique and martial intent in his photographs to make me go "Hmmmmm".

I don't know much about Southern Mantis, but his posture and style remind me greatly of Gin Foon Mark, who used to teach in NYC.

This sifu obviously has fought before, and he's got the "battle look" and covered stances to show for it. I'd definitely go visit him in person if combat Southern Mantis was what I was looking for.

[keith johnson]

Now that "combat look" comment was just silly! I study with Gin Foon Mark after a long look into other Jook Lum instructors. I have noticed some interesting things about this guy's site.

If you notice the stupid looking praying mantises that flip back and fourth are the same ones on Roger "none can pass my jook lum hand" Hagoods site.

Notice them:

http://southfloridachineseboxingassociation.com/Southern_Praying_Mantis.htm

and Hagoods:

http://www.bambootemple.com/index2.htm

They are
the same.

Also notice the "By way of brief background" comment. That sheds some light on things doesn't it? Who would be so stupid as to authorize someone to teach by way of brief introduction? Also notice the Chinese caligraphy on either side of "Sifu" Gorme:

http://southfloridachineseboxingassociation.com/Gorme_Southern_Praying_Mantis.htm

The characters are {pardon the difficult to spell translations}:

The first two-"Tong Long"- means Praying mantis.

Third- "Kune" {or coon -koon}- means punch or knuckle or sometimes fist depending on how it's used.

Fourth- Shem {or shelm} - means "basic or basically."

Fith- Shew or sau depending on usage and dialect - means "hand."

So translated this means "Praying Mantis fist, basic hands."

It's interesting to note that these characters were photocopied directly off of Yip Siu's Chu Gar manuals.
If anyone ever has the chance to touch hands with this clown don't expect to much.