Assistant Coach, Russ Layng

Russ Layng

Assistant Coach

Seattle Wushu Center

     Russell Layng has studied Wushu with Master Instructor Yijiao Hong for 8 years attaining the level of Black Belt and becoming a teaching assistant. During his training with Sifu Hong he had the opportunity to train with many well known masters and coaches, including Grandmaster Chen Dao Yun, Master Zhang Hui, Master Hu Jianqiang, Master Gao Xian, and Beijing Wushu Team Coach, Liu Qing Hua. Russ has spent two summers in Beijing training at the ShiChaHai sports school with members of the Beijing Wushu Team.

     For nearly six years, Russ has been training in the Taikabudo System of combat martial arts with Sifu Restita Dejesus and Guro Sherril Johnson at the Yin Yang Art Center. Russ has achieved the rank of Black Belt and continues to perfect his art. Russ is a member of the Yin Yang Arts Center Demonstration Team, and has a long history of public demonstrations and performances with the school.

     Prior to beginning full-time study in Taikabudo, Russ began training in Cacoy Doce Pares Escrima and Eskrido with Guro Johnson. Russ has achieved the rank of Black Belt, which was awarded to him by Guro Johnson and Grandmaster Ciriaco “Cacoy” Canete from Cebu City, Philippines. Russ has also had the opportunity to attend extensive seminars provided by Grandmaster Canete and by Master Chris Petrilli.

     Russ and his martial arts skills were featured in the PBS Children’s program Postcards from Buster. He’s competed in many martial arts tournaments throughout the course of his training.

1999 Canadian American West Coast Championships
Silver Medal –Junior Long Fist (Novice)
Fourth Place – Junior Straight Sword (Novice + Intermediate)

2000 Tiger Balm Internationals
Bronze Medal –Long Fist (Intermediate)
Gold Medal –Broadsword (Intermediate)

2001 USAWKF International Championships & Nationals
Gold medal Long Fist (Advanced)
Silver Medal –Broadsword (Advanced)
Bronze Medal –Cudgel (Advanced)
Bronze Medal –Traditional open hand, 18 Hands of Lohan (Advanced)

2002 Chicago International Kung-Fu Wushu Championships
Gold Medal –Long Fist (Advanced)
Gold Medal –Broadsword (Advanced)
Gold Medal –Cudgel (Advanced)

2002 Canadian American West Coast Championships
Gold Medal –Long Fist (Advanced)
Gold Medal –Broadsword (Advanced)
Gold Medal –Optional long weapon, Pudao (Advanced)
Silver Medal –Cudgel (Advanced)
Silver Medal –Optional open hand, Mantis (Advanced)
All Around 5 Star Champion
Grand Champion

2003 USAWKF Team Trials
9.0 –Daoshu
8.83 –Changquan
8.4 –Guenshu
8.915 ¬–Combined Top Two Scores

2003 South Seattle 2nd Annual All Martial Arts Tournament
Gold Medal – Open empty hand, Eagle Claw (Advanced)
Gold Medal –Broadsword (Advanced)
Gold Medal –Cudgel (Advanced)

2004 Pacific Elite Wushu Championships
Gold Medal –Long Fist (Advanced)
Gold Medal –Broadsword (Advanced)b-Team,
Gold Medal –Cudgel (Advanced)
Gold Medal –Optional open hand, Mantis (Advanced)
All Around Champion

2005 Traditional Kungfu Wushu National Championships
Gold Medal –Southern Fist (Advanced)
Gold Medal – Cudgel (Advanced)

2006 33rd Annual Shorinryu Open Karate Championships
3rd Place –Weapons (Adult Black Belt Division)

Seattle Wushu

Wushu, Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Self Defense