Mr. Chango Noaks is currently a second degree Black Sash in the Ving Tsun Museum grading curriculum under the guidance of his Sifu, Master Benny Meng. Sifu Noaks is also recognized as a 7th level Senior Instructor of Ip Man Wing Chun certified by the Ving Tsun Athletic Association in Hong Kong, having participated in the VTAA Senior Instructor Certification Program hosted at the VTM in October 1998. He was accepted as a 10th Generation Disciple in the Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun Kung Fu system on November 16, 2003 under Master Meng, granted by Grand Master Gee. Through VTM sponsorship and workshops, in May of 2003 Sifu Noaks completed the Instructor Course in the Chi Sim Weng Chun Kung Fu System under the direct guidance of Grand Master Andreas Hoffmann. This makes him one of the most experienced Wing Chun instructors in the world. Moy Yat International also recognized him as a First Degree Instructor in 2000.

Sifu Noaks began his journey in Chinese Kung Fu at the age of five. His first teacher was his father David Noaks, Jr., an Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) expert in the US Navy during the Vietnam War. During his time in the Far East, David Noaks Jr. was exposed to Chinese martial arts. He was well versed in western boxing and wrestling and immediately recognize the value of Chinese martial arts, dedicating his life to learning as much as he could. He had a high aptitude for martial arts and taught his sons “how to take care of themselves” and in doing so, he introduced them to various elements of western boxing, combative wrestling, and Chinese Kung Fu.

Sifu Noaks also had a high aptitude for martial arts and sough further training through other instructors eventually progressing through short stints in various Ju-Jitsu, Karate, Judo, Taekwondo, and Kung Fu schools. Each training experience left him unfulfilled. Sifu Noaks proceeded to train on his own with his brothers, fearing that he might never find and study under a true master. His brother, Aargon Noaks, made the introduction to Master Benny Meng. Sifu Noaks recognized Master Meng’s skill and knowledge and became his students, training under Master Meng for more than 17 years. Sifu Noaks is one of only two students to have trained in every program offered at Meng’s Martial Arts.

Master Meng not only furthered Sifu Noaks’ Kung Fu knowledge and training, but has also been a Mentor. Master Meng has been instrumental in Sifu Noaks’ personal character development. It was in the natural order of things that Sifu Chango Noaks would make a commitment to become of the Master Meng’s disciples and with that honor assume the responsibility of passing on his entire knowledge of martial arts.

Sifu Noaks has over 27 years of experience and training in the martial arts and has ventured into many aspects of arts. He has performed artistic expression and demonstrations of Kung Fu and Wushu on national television in China and for Coach Wu Bin, Jet Li’s former teacher. He is a large man and often amazes the crowed with his speed, agility and flexibility. In China, the small children would often call him, “flying black Buddha.” In the area of sports competition history, Sifu Noaks has placed 1st and 2nd in Local, Regional, National and International competitions. He competed in forms competition, point sparring, continuous sparring, and full-contact sparring. In 1998, Sifu Noaks placed 1st in full contact Chi Sau competition and the 2nd Pan American Traditional Kung Fu Championship in Toronto, Canada.

Sifu Noaks is now the only active Wushu/Traditional Shaolin teacher taught under Master Meng. He has had the pleasure of training with the United States Wushu Coach, Omei Kung Fu Master Xao Ling Lu and with a troupe of Northern Shaolin Warrior Monks. During his martial arts journey, under Master Meng’s watchful eye, he has had training experience with almost all of the famous students of Ip Man living today. Sifu Noaks has had first-hand, very personal experiences with the late Grand Master Moy Yat. He also has had guidance and instruction from other famous Wing Chun Grand Masters such as Chu Shung Tin, Ip Ching and Ip Chun (the blood sons of the late Grand Master Ip Man), Moy Bing Wah, William Cheung and Hawkins Cheung.

While on a trip to the Far East, in Hong Kong, Sifu Noaks enjoyed the extreme honor and privilege of having a private session with Master Meng’s very first Wing Chun teacher, Sifu Lee Hoi Sung. This session was photographed and was featured in a nationally circulated publication, “Martial Arts Legends,” in December of 2000. Sifu Lee Hoi Sung is also known as a movie star in the Far East with great martial arts skills.

Through the years, he has developed greater insight through living the Kung Fu life and embracing its philosophy. His journey continues as a warrior and scholar of Shaolin Wing Chun kung fu. In all of his experiences, Sifu Noaks had remained a humble student of the art and life and finds great joy in his true identity as a teacher, sharing Kung Fu and guiding others to the path he has chosen. It is his intent that they too understand and enjoy the many rich experiences he has gained from the treasure that is Shaolin.

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