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Jonathan Michael Rivera

@sifujonathan

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Sifu in Shaolin, Praying Mantis, & Tai Chi. High level Black belt Tae Kwon Do, Coach in Thai Boxing, BJJ, & MMA, Hung Ga, & Shorin Ryu Karate student

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Rest in Peace, Grandmaster Yuen Man Kai 🕊️🙏

Today I’m sharing this Double Straight Sword Set, one of the advanced Master sets in our Northern Praying Mantis system. This set means so much to me.

When I taught it to my closed door disciple, Sifu Lukas Wannenwetsch, I was in tremendous pain. My shoulder was completely torn, my knee was injured, and my sciatica had flared up. It took every bit of strength I had to make it through that three hour session. I kept going because passing on this knowledge mattered.

Grandmaster Yuen Man Kai was an indoor disciple of Great Grandmaster Wong Hon Fun. When my teacher, Sifu Gun Orchan, brought me to meet him in Hong Kong, Grandmaster asked me to perform Bung Bo, Daw Gong, Bhat Zao, and demonstrate Northern Praying Mantis fighting techniques.

He was so pleased with what he saw that he arranged a traditional Bai Si ceremony and personally accepted me as his closed door disciple. I was his last closed door disciple before his passing, and he gave me his blessing to teach the system. I had never seen my Sifu Gun so proud. Seeing his teacher so happy with the work he had done with me is a memory I will carry forever. 🙏

Before he passed, Grandmaster signed the certificate for his great grandstudent, Sifu Lukas. When he watched videos of Lukas, he kept saying, “Wow, this is my great grandstudent.” Then he looked at me and said, “He is better than you! Good job!” 😊

I was overwhelmed with gratitude. All I ever wanted was to help Lukas become even better than me. Hearing those words from Grandmaster was a gift I will always treasure.

May you rest in peace, Grandmaster Yuen Man Kai. Thank you for accepting me, trusting me with this lineage, and leaving us with a legacy we will continue to honor. Your spirit and teachings live on through all of us. 🙏🕊️ by @sifujonathan

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a day ago

Dear Grandmaster Alan Lee,

I’ve been thinking about you, and so has my mother, Theresa. I’m grateful for everything you taught me and for always believing in me. When others doubted my character, you saw a young man only 28 who was still growing and gave me the chance to learn.

Thank you for helping me recover from my Achilles injuries when I thought I might never practice kung fu again. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, your jade, and your guidance with me. I’ll always carry those lessons with me.

I’m sharing this video in honor of you and the impact you had on my life. Your example, along with teachers like Grandmaster Cheuk Ho Kwong, inspired me to teach and help students grow without charging them, or teaching for monetary gain. Kung Fu gave me a positive path and helped me break generational cycles. I believe it can do the same for others.

I’ll make sure my students know who you are and learn the parts of your system that can guide them on their journeys. I also wholeheartedly support the Chinese Kung Fu Wushu Association and the masters carrying your tradition forward. My stepdaughter loves learning there from Master Eddie, and I trust her instructors completely.

Thank you, Mr. Lee. I love you, and I believe your presence is still felt by all those whose lives you touched. I’m writing this with goosebumps and endless gratitude. Thank you for healing me and helping me expel demons from other’s. Rest In Peace Mr. Lee.

With love, respect, and admiration,

Sifu Jonathan 🙏❤️🥋 by @sifujonathan

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2 days ago

The warrior spirit never gets old. 🥋🔥

This past weekend, I had the honor of competing in my first New York International Wushu Championships, representing Hung Ga.

It’s been years since I’ve competed, and man, did it feel good to get those competitive juices flowing again! Training hard, preparing for something, and stepping out there to put it all on the line. What an amazing feeling!

What made it even more special was being surrounded by martial artists of all ages, from 3-year-old kids to masters in their 70s, all sharing their passion for the arts. 🙏🏽

After only three years of training, my Sifu challenged me to compete in the advanced division, alongside practitioners with 10+ years of experience, including Sifus themselves. And I’m grateful he did!

The result: 🥈 2nd place in Empty Hand Forms and 🥉 3rd place in Weapons.

But for me, competition has never been just about the medals. It’s about challenging yourself, giving your absolute best, and honoring the art, the teachings, and the lineage passed down to you. And hopefully, inspiring someone else along the way.

Thank you, Sifu Jonathan Rivera, for never taking it easy on me, for pushing me beyond my limits, and for seeing something in me that I’m only beginning to see in myself.

The medals are a blessing, but the experience and lessons are the real reward.

Still a student. Still learning. Still hungry. 🐺

#HungGar #KungFu #MartialArts #WarriorSpirit by @sifujonathan

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3 days ago

Last nights dinner demo. #northernprayingmantiskungfu #yuenmankai #wonghonfun by @sifujonathan

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5 days ago

Some photos from the International Wushu Championships Dinner a few hours ago, Flushing, New York. by @sifujonathan

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5 days ago

🥋 My student Ivan has been training for three years and is currently at an intermediate level. Today, I challenged him to compete in the advanced division against some of the best Hung Ga practitioners in the United States, and he rose to the occasion!

Ivan placed 🥈 second in Empty Hand Forms and 🥉 third in Short Weapons. I’m incredibly proud of him for stepping up and taking on that challenge.

For me, testing yourself against advanced competitors takes courage and earns deep respect. Ivan, you did an amazing job, and after three years of training, you are exactly where you should be. Keep working hard. Your progress is something to be proud of! 👊🐅 by @sifujonathan

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5 days ago

Great time with The Family. by @sifujonathan

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5 days ago

Today, I had the privilege of serving as head judge alongside one of the great pillars of Hung Ga Kung Fu, my Si Bak Pedro Yee. 🙏🐉

I’m always grateful for the chance to spend time with my big uncle, a wonderful person and a true legend of Hung Ga Kung Fu. It was also a pleasure to share the day with my Uncle Rik, my Dragon Style teacher Sifu Carter, my Shaolin and Chen Tai Chi teacher Shifu Kwong, my training brother Shifu Philip Tambakas, and my student Sifu Matt. 🥋❤️

I’m honored to know each of you. I feel truly blessed to have such wonderful family, friends, mentors, and teachers in my life. Thank you for the knowledge, friendship, and example you share. 🙏✨

#HungGaKungFu #KungFuFamily #MartialArts #Grateful #KungFuLegacy @kwongcheuk @yeeshunggaushq @quayshauncarter @matt.abruzzo.50 by @sifujonathan

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5 days ago

🏗️ Walk with me through some of the projects I’ve worked on since February.

I’m nearing the finish line on a gut renovation of a SoHo artist loft. The new hardwood floors are in, and we’re getting close to closing the remaining ceilings. Millwork and stone are scheduled to go in next week. It’s exciting to see the project coming together.

The footage also takes you through the transformation of the Ortiz Chinese Boxing Association in Westbury, New York, from a concrete slab into a finished martial arts school. You’ll also see a storage loft I built for KO Martial Arts LLC in Mamaroneck.

While serving as superintendent on the SoHo project, I’ve also been helping supervise a full basement renovation in Flatbush, Brooklyn. We gutted the basement, excavated the waste lines, and replaced the system all the way to the city sewer connection.

Every project brings a different challenge. On the SoHo job, coordinating work around a bank funded project and payment draws has tested the schedule. At the Westbury school, the challenge was taking on so much of the hands on work alongside my partner, Shawn Longville. And with the storage loft, the biggest challenge was finding the time to get it done.

Between a busy work schedule, raising two teenage daughters, being a stepfather to two girls, and preparing to welcome my first son, time is one of the most valuable things I have. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and grateful to everyone who has helped bring these projects forward. 👷‍♂️🔨🏙️ by @sifujonathan

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6 days ago

On behalf of KO Martial Arts LLC, Fong’s Hung Ga, Ortiz Chinese Boxing Association, and all of my martial arts teachers, I extend our deepest condolences to the Chinese Kung Fu Wushu Association on the passing of the late, great Grandmaster Alan Lee. 🙏🕊️

I first met Grandmaster Lee when I was a young 27 year old punk. Over the years, he shared so much of his knowledge with me and helped shape my growth, both physically and spiritually. I will always be grateful for his teachings and for all he did for me. His influence reached so many lives, and he will be deeply missed. 🥋❤️

To the masters of his temple, I am truly sorry for this devastating loss. I know you will continue his work with strength and dedication, keeping his legacy alive for generations to come.

Grandmaster Lee was one of the great treasures of the New York City and New Jersey Kung Fu community. His teachings and spirit will live on through everyone he inspired. 🙏🌹 by @sifujonathan

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7 days ago

My heart is overflowing with gratitude as I share the beautiful news that our family is growing 💙👶

After being blessed with two incredible daughters and two amazing stepdaughters, my beautiful partner and I are excited to welcome our first son into the world. I always thought I’d be the proud dad of five girls, and I would have felt just as blessed if this baby were a girl. Now, we’re grateful and overjoyed to begin this new chapter with our little boy 💙✨

To my daughters and stepdaughters, you are each such a special part of my life. I already know you’re going to be the best big sisters your baby brother could ever ask for. He is so lucky to have all of you 🥰👧👧👧👧

Our family is growing, and my heart is fuller than ever. We can’t wait to meet you, little man 🙏💙👣 by @sifujonathan

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12 days ago

Closing in on 44 years old. No filter. That Kung Fu keeps you sharp. by @sifujonathan

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15 days ago