Shigong Tony Puyot

Tony Puyot began his training in Karate as a young boy, and by 1976, began training in Kempo, and Wing Chun. He later went on to study Monkey Boxing with Mike Barry, and learned fighting strategy from Danny Valdez (who taught him Kickboxing, Kenpo, and Escrima). Danny Valdez was an excellent fighter who taught Tony Puyot most of his fighting skills. Valdez was an active participant in Tijuana's fight gambling, and was later murdered after refusing to participate in a scheduled fight. Without a teacher, Tony Puyot continued on his own until he discovered Mantis Boxing.

Tony Puyot began training in Praying Mantis Kung FU under Stephan H. Laurette while they both worked in the Herb shop and clinic in Uptown San Diego. Laurette was very meticulous about teaching individual postures; heavily emphasizing elbow, shoulder, knee, foot, head, and back positions while explaining the function of each joint and position.

In 1984, Puyot contacted Adam Hsu (Baji Boxer and author of "The Sword Polishers Record") in search for a teacher who heavily emphasized fighting and applications. Adam Hsu's top student picked up Puyot and drove him to see Adam Hsu. Puyot played a few sets (demonstrated forms) for Hsu and the two conversed about body mechanics and Fa Jin (utilizing the body to generate power).

At the end of their meeting, Adam Hsu mentioned a Mantis Boxer from Taiwan who now resides in San Francisco. He is a fighter and holder of the Eight Step Praying Mantis Boxing system, and his name is Xun Guang Long.

Adam Hsu provided the introduction between Xun and Puyot, who was then accepted as a student. Puyot dedicated the next five years of his life to Xun; moving to San Francisco with nothing but clothes and a bike which he used to travel 10 miles to the Wu Guan.

By the time Puyot was in his twenties, he was already a seasoned fighter from his experience in his neighborhood of Del Sol (a disadvantaged neighborhood in South Bay San Diego), and from his experience in Loss Prevention (unarmed security). Puyot joined the police department in 1994 and is now a Detective for the Chula Vista Police Department.