Sifu Tony Zitko began martial arts training in 1977. Since 1977 he has
achieved 7 different Black Belts in Kenpo based arts. He has also
studied in a variety of martial art forms and gained some notoriety during
the 1990's as a champion competitor. His current rank in martial arts
is 1 eighth degree black belt, 3 sixth degree black belts, 1 fifth degree
black belt and 2 first degree black belts. Sifu Tony Zitko is
extremely honored to have
Master Gary
Toppins as his instructor.
To show rank is no fluke, some of the witness's and signee's on Sifu Tony
Zitko's diplomas include:
*
Sifu Gary Toppins* *Great Grandmaster Al
Novak* *
Grandmaster Al Tracy*
*
Grandmaster Richard Lee*
*Sen. Grandmaster Joe Halbuna* *Grand Master Ming Lum* *Professor Al Dacoscos*
*Sijo
Victor "Sonny" Gascon*
*Eric Lee* *John McSweeney*
*Larry Tatum* *
Bart Vale* *Professor Frank Ricardo* *
Professor George Marenco*
*Grandmaster Vinton Koklich* *Professor Carl Caudill*
*Sifu James Ibrao* *Grand Master Bob Maschmeier*
Other achievements include:
150+ Black Belt Tournament Victories
28 Competitor of the Year Awards
14 Black Belt Grand Championships
Member Kenpo International Hall of Fame - Inducted 2007
Member East West Kung Fu Hall of Fame - Inducted September 24, 2002
Sifu Tony Zitko's two daughters were also notable competitors with 172
tournament victories, 26 Competitor of the Year Awards and Numerous Grand
Championships between them.
Sifu Tony Zitko is the original founder and owner of NVMAA (Napa Valley
Martial Arts Academy) well known for producing championship caliber martial
artists with over a thousand tournament victories, many grand championships
and numerous competitor of the year awards. Due to circumstances
beyond his control, this name is now being used by another martial arts
school in the City of Napa. It should be noted, this school
has no connection to the original Napa Valley
Martial Arts Academy or any of the numerous achievements and awards of this
original school.
Sifu Tony would like to acknowledge these individuals that have influenced
his martial arts over the years.
*
Master Gary Toppins* *Great Grand Master Al Novak* *Master Bob
Nunes* *Guru Ian Smith*
*Mr. Larry Duffield*
*Grand Master Al Tracy* *Sifu Jens Frojen* * Sensei Jeff Dickinson*
*Sensei Brad Crane* *Sifu Don Bevins*
*Sifu Gary Miyamori* *Senior Grand Master Joe Halbuna*
*Mark Rosenthal* *The Marenco's* *Dan
Tyrell*
The list can go on and on, Sifu Tony has been privileged to train and
compete with so
many great individuals over the years. A special thanks goes out to
all of the wonderful and dedicated students that Sifu Tony has helped train
over the years.
