Mark Stewart (martial artist)

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Mark Stewart began his martial arts training in the Chinese/Okinawan style of karate known as Uechi Ryu. At the age of 18 he was awarded his 1st-degree black-belt and in 1989 became the youngest 5th-degree black-belt in the World, of the Okinawa Karate Do Association, Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. Since 1997 Mark Stewart has been a private student of Ted Wong in Bruce Lee’s martial art, known as Jeet Kune DoTM.

[edit] Background

Since 1977 Mark Stewart has taught martial arts, defensive tactics, sports and fitness. Mark Stewart has taught at universities and fitness centers including UCLA, USC, and University of Hawaii at Manoa as well as Clark Hatch Fitness Centers, Powerhouse Gyms and Shinjuku Sports Center in Tokyo, Japan. Mark Stewart was an Adjunct Professor of Physical Education, at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California from 1999-2001, where he taught martial arts and self-defense. Mark Stewart is currently an Elective Sports Coach at the Singapore Polytechnic College where he teaches self-defense.

Mark Stewart has also taught many individual law enforcement and military personnel throughout the years, including Police, FBI agents and Navy Seal Team and Demolition Team members. Mark Stewart was the co-founder and head trainer of the Los Angeles Chinatown Safety Patrol, founded in 1994. Mark Stewart is currently the training manager of Defensive Tactics and Unarmed Combat for X-Secure in Singapore and Impact Defence in Thailand with clients including Singapore Airlines, NUS (National University Singapore) and ICA (Immigration Checkpoints Authority).

Mark Stewart is also an instructor of Filipino weaponry, known as Kali and has taught throughout the world in countries such as Japan, France, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Canada and the USA. Mark Stewart is a former Karate Champion and 1992 Grand Champion in the Great Lakes Region of the USA as well as a "Full Contact" International Kickboxing Competitor.

Mark Stewart's Martial Arts History
Although specializing in Jeet Kune DoTM, Stewart has studied a variety of martial arts over the years. These martial arts include the following:

  • 1974-1991 - Uechi Ryu Karate: William Keith and James Thompson
  • 1979-1982 - Arnis: Edgar Guevarra
  • 1980-1985 - Kickboxing: Brian Lentz
  • 1985-1986 - Wing Chun: Sam Chan
  • 1986-1991 - Wing Chun: Randy Williams
  • 1986-2001 - Multi-Discipline: Louie Campos
  • 1987-1994 - Kali and Jun Fan Gung Fu/Kickboxing : Dan Inosanto
  • 1987-1996 - Kali and Jun Fan Gung Fu/Kickboxing: Ted Lucaylucay
  • 1991-1997 - Muay Thai: Nanfa Seharadecho and Vut Kamnark
  • 1991-1997 - Savate: Francais Echinard and Nicholas Saigniac
  • 1997-present - Jeet Kune DoTM: Ted Wong

[edit] Writings & Appearances

Mark Stewart is a published author who has been featured in and on the cover of many magazines including Inside Karate, Inside Kung Fu, Masters and styles, Black Belt, Karate Illustrated, Fighter Magazine of Sweden, Martial Arts Illustrated of Great Britain, and Siam Combat of Thailand. Mark Stewart has also been featured in other publications such as the Los Angeles Times, Tokyo Classified, Farang, A Day, The Nation and BK Metro. Mark Stewart has also been featured in many instructional videos including Unique, Black Belt and Moon River Productions. In 1994 Mark Stewart was featured on the Malaysian T.V. Series "Maha Guru"and became the first martial artist to demonstrate the art of Kali on Malaysian television. In 2002 Mark Stewart was featured on the Thai T.V. Series "Martial Arts" on UBC Super Sports and became the first martial artist to demonstrate Jeet Kune DoTM on Thai television. In 2003 Mark Stewart was featured by Reuters New Agency which aired throughout the world, including CNN World Report, CNA (Channel News Asia) and ITV. In 2003 Mark Stewart and his group performed for the APEC Summit in Bangkok, Thailand.