Brian
Crenshaw has been involved in formal
martial arts classes since 1972. He
received his first Black Belt in
1976 in an American Open
Karate/Kickboxing system, his second
in 1979 in Shotokan Karate and also
a 1st Kyu (Brown Belt with one
stripe) in Kyokushin Karate in 1984.
While studying three styles of
Karate, Crenshaw managed to win
three AAU National Karate
Championships Gold medals in Kumite
and Forms divisions. These wins
qualified Crenshaw for the AAU
National Team and to represent the
US in various international
competitions around the world. Most
notably, Crenshaw represented the US
in the PUKO Pan American Champions
in Guatemala (Bronze medalist in
Kumite) and the WUKO World
Championships in China, where he
made it to the quarter finals.
Crenshaw was awarded the Karateka of
the year in 1979 and 1980 by the
Amateur Athletic Union. In addition
to Karate tournaments, Crenshaw
fought in Full Contact Karate
matches and Kyokushin Knockdown
matches and took the Tri State
Kyokushin Knockdown Tournament in
the Lightweight division.
In 1983, Crenshaw’s dream
came true when he attended his
first of many seminars with Guru
Dan Inosanto. Through Crenshaw’s
experience with Guru Dan, he was
able to make a bridge to his
inspiration: Bruce Lee.
Crenshaw’s inspiration soon
turned to tremendous respect and
awe for the intense and diligent
effort of Guru Dan to carry on
his teacher Bruce Lee's wishes.
Guru Dan opened Crenshaw’s eyes
to a whole new world of martial
arts. He not only introduced him
to Kali, but also to Muay Thai,
Silat, Savate, Jun Fan, Shoot
Fighting, and, of course, the
concepts of Jeet Kune Do.
In 1985, Crenshaw had the
workout of his life in an all
day training session with Arjan
Surachai Sirisute. Arjan Chai
showed Crenshaw repeatedly how
to push one’s body to its limit.
Arjan Chai's awesome power and
technique accompanied by his
quick-witted humor immediately
captivated Crenshaw’s respect
and admiration. Arjan Chai's
unforgiving critique combined
with his sincere desire for
Crenshaw to become technically
proficient provided the stage
for his Muay Thai base. Crenshaw
was tested and awarded his basic
level instructor in 1993 and in
1995 was made a Kru (teacher of
Muay Thai).
Ever since 1971 when Crenshaw
saw his first Bruce Lee movie,
he wanted to study martial arts.
However, it wasn't until 1987
that he was able to take formal
Wing Chun classes. Studying Wing
Chun (Ving Tsun) in the Moy Yat
family system and achieving the
rank of Sifu (instructor), he
left the Ving Tsun system with a
respect for the art and an
appreciation for the study of
detail and began to search for
another Wing Chun Sifu whose
emphasis was more on the
application of the art. Guru
Dan's wife, Simo Paula,
suggested that he contact Sifu
Francis Fong in Atlanta, GA.
From their first phone
conversation where Sifu Fong
took one hour and a half to talk
to him long distance, he was
sold. Sifu Fong’s warm nature
and sincere desire to pass on
his art was just the combination
Crenshaw was looking for. He
moved to Atlanta exclusively to
train under Sifu Fong. Sifu Fong
not only taught him Wing Chun,
Muay Thai and Kali, but also how
to take the Wing Chun principles
and concepts and blend them into
his other studies. Crenshaw
didn't realize what had happened
until a conversation one day
with Guru Dan at a summer
training camp. Guru Dan said,
"Your Sifu epitomizes my Sifu,
Bruce Lee, more than anyone I
have ever seen. Not only does he
have the physical technique, but
moreover, the principles and
concepts have literally become a
part of his every movement."
That's when Crenshaw realized
that he had come full circle. He
was not only seeing, but
experiencing and learning the
concepts (in Sifu Fong's
interpretation) of Jeet Kune Do.
His stay in Atlanta was both
rewarding and challenging.
Crenshaw learned much, fought
often, and taught many students
and classes. During this period
of time he traveled to various
locations trying his hand at K-1
style, San Shou and Muay Thai
style fights. Crenshaw achieved
an instructorship in Wing Chun
under Sifu Fong and in Muay Thai
under Ajarn Chai Surisute, but
most importantly, he moved to a
very different level in the
martial arts. In 1994, he
returned to his hometown of
Richmond, Virginia, and in
November of that year opened
Prodigy Martial Arts Academy,
concentrating on developing a
core group of students in the
arts of Wing Chun Kung Fu, Muay
Thai Kickboxing, Filipino Kali,
while perpetuating the concepts
of JKD as the underlying and
driving force behind the school.
As the students developed, so
did his thoughts on making them
functional with their
techniques. For Crenshaw, the
Jeet Kune Do meant not only
realistic techniques, but
realistic and effective training
methods. In 1996, while in
California for a Penjak Silat
instructor's camp, he had an
opportunity to train with Sifu
Burton Richardson. They had met
several times in the past, as he
regularly performed
demonstrations for Guru Inosanto
and Sifu Fong at many seminars
and camps. However on this
occasion, Crenshaw was
introduced to the
ineffectiveness of his
traditional Kali defenses. Sifu
Burton showed him some new ideas
he had been working on with his
stick fighting and ground
fighting. Sifu Burton first
introduced Crenshaw to Brazilian
Jiu Jitsu. The improved stick
fighting and BJJ caused
everything to click ...the light
bulbs went off...these were
realistic training methods!
Crenshaw began to train with
Sifu Burton regularly by
traveling to California, meeting
at seminars, or hosting him for
seminars at his own school.
Finally, the training,
competing, teaching, and
concepts made sense and all came
together in Jeet Kune Do
Unlimited. In December 1997,
Sifu Burton certified Crenshaw
as an Instructor in Jeet Kune Do
Unlimited. However, for the
betterment of his instructor
program and to add strength the
growing organization, it was
decided in 1998 to have everyone
pass a physical test before
certification. This was an
important move as everyone who
tested would have to pass a
rigorous sparring test in each
range of combat (stick fighting,
Stand up and ground). Crenshaw
was made an Instructor in the
Jeet June Do Unlimited
organization on October 30,
1998.
In addition to his JKD
training, Crenshaw has
continually pursued avenues to
improve his Muay Thai first as a
fighter and later as a trainer.
It has been his pleasure to have
trained with Kru Sakasem
Kanthawong, Kru Walter "Sleeper"
Michalowski, and Kru Surichai
Surisute. He has trained
extensively with Kru Vut Kamnark
to learn the ins and outs of
Muay Thai. Kru Vut also
encouraged him to pursue the
promotional end of Muay Thai as
well. With his guidance Crenshaw
has successfully promoted many
Muay Thai and MMA events. He has
hosted both ISKA and WKA events
that featured regional and US
title cards. In 2001, he was
honored by the WKA with the
appointment as WKA US
Representative-Amateur Muay Thai
and Kickboxing. In 2003 his role
was increased to US
Representative for both the
Amateur and Professional Ring
Sports Divisions of Muay Thai,
MMA, Kickboxing, Full Contact
and Submission Grappling. In
2004, he formed a management and
promotions company and began the
Combat Sports Challenge fight
show and has continuously
produced the WKA North American
Combat Sports Championships each
year for the WKA. In late 2006
Prodigy Martial Arts partnered
with the principles of MOD
Grappling and FX Boxing to open
Combat Sports Center in the West
End of Richmond, VA. Combat
Sports Center developed numerous
event champions and
international level competitors
in Muay Thai, MMA and Grappling.
Kru Brian Crenshaw and the well
versed staff of the Combat
Sports Center have produced the
following champions from 1999
through 2010:
- 16 Gold medals, 6
Silver, and 2 Bronze at WKA
National Championships
- 2 National Sanshou
Champions
- 1 North American IKF
Muay Thai Champion
- 6 Gold medals at WKA
North American Combat Sports
Championships
- 7 Gold medals, 1 Silver
medal and 4 Bronze at WKA
World Championships
- 1 Ring of Combat
Champion
- 1 Ring of Fire Champion
- 1 Ultimate Fighter
Season 7 Winner (Amir
Sadollah)
- WEC and UFC Veterans
(Amir Sadollah and Anthony
Morrison)
