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The Eagle Claw Kung Fu Center opened on May 1st, 1999 in Midtown Atlanta across from Peidmont Park. Opened and operated by Master Joel Rodriguez, the Eagle Claw Kung Fu Center is one of seven schools in the lineage of Grandmaster Leung Shum. It will be celebrating its eigth anniversary with a major exhibition in May of 2007.
Master Joel Rodriguez
Master Joel Rodriguez is a disciple of Grand Master Leung Shum (one of the foremost authorities on Eagle Claw Kung Fu it the world) and has been training under him exclusively for over 20 years. Master Rodriguez is one of only 6 to receive ‘Master’ level certification from Grand Master Shum. He also is one of only a few to have graduated from Grand Master Shum’s ‘Instructor Program’. Master Rodriguez is also certified by Grand Master Shum to teach Wu Tai Chi Chuan. He has also been a certified personal trainer. He has worked extensively with martial artists of other styles from hung ga to wing chun to aikido and Brazilian jiu-jitsu and NHB fighting to add to his knowledge.
Master Rodriguez has placed in full contact fighting tournaments and forms competitions. He is a respected tournament judge and official. He has performed demos in NYC, Seattle, Atlanta, and Orlando. He has appeared in magazines and various videos. Master Rodriguez has also produced an annual martial arts demonstration benefiting St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Master Rodriguez has taught hundreds of students about kung fu, tai chi chuan and general fitness. His ability to teach the necessary techniques and knowledge to perform kung fu properly is one of his strong points. Master Rodriguez can work with a diverse range of people from many different backgrounds and mental and physical abilities. Master Rodriguez has devoted his life to furthering Eagle Claw Kung Fu in the US. He is also committed to helping people become healthier and wiser about their health.
Grandmaster Leung Shum
Leung Shum was Ng Wai Nung’s godson, and he began his training when he was eight years old. By the time he was eighteen, Shum's kung fu was very strong. Fighting was illegal in Hong Kong and could not be taught in kung fu schools. In order to test his ability, Shum occasionally got into fights in the street and would use connections in the police force to get out of trouble.
When Ng Wai Nung went to Singapore in 1956, he left his school in the care of Leung Shum and Shum Man Lock. When Ng returned, Leung Shum and Shum Man Lock continued teaching for him. He learned all of the secrets of the Eagle Claw System as well as the Wu Tai Chi Chuan.
In 1971, Leung Shum left Hong Kong for New York City. He opened the Ying Jow Pai Kung Fu School in 1974 on the corner of 28th Street and 9th Avenue. The school has since moved several times over the years, and Leung Shum has taught thousands of students from all over the world. Several of his students have opened their own schools.