David Sgro: Your Instructor
Author of two Arnis Books and two Army Combative Training Manuals
Founder of Chi Rho Kali Academy,
Former Military Combatives Instructor to the US Special Forces and US Army
Sat Feb 5, 2022
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The Kali Training History of David Sgro
SGM Dionisio "Diony" Canete and myself at the 2018 Philippines Arnis Nationals |
Melanie and myself with Gerald Canete, officials and SGM Canete, 2018 Philippine Nationals |
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Training with Senior Grandmaster Dionisio Canete, head of Doce Pares
KALI, ARNIS, and ESCRIMA are interchangeable names for the Filipino Martial Art (FMA). Most people believe Kali is only "Stick and Knife fighting", however this is incorrect, as Kali also includes striking kicking, empty hand joint locks, and locks and chokes that utilize the sticks. This leads to take downs and ground fighting. Kali is very old in the Philippines, and is considered a highly effective form of self-defense. I began studying with Guru Greg Alland in 1988, and he always talked about one of his teachers, SGM (Senior Grandmaster) Dionisio "Diony" Canete. I was blessed to meet and train several times SGM Dionisio "Diony" Canete. Having coffee at his home (which was attached to his martial arts school), he told me that to prove which style of Kali was most effective, Kali practitioners fought without protection. They would count the bruises afterwards, and the winner was the fighter who had the least! SGM Dionisio "Diony" Canete said often times the fighter would be so bruised it could be weeks or months before he could resume training again. Some fights were to the death! Because of this he developed the competitive side of Kali. I was the first American to be certified as a Referee with PEKAF (Philippine Escrima Kali Arnis Federation), and on Feb 22, 2020 I was personally appointed as the Official WEKAF (World Escrima Kali Arnis Federation) Representative for Guatemala to bring a Team to the 2021 WEKAF World Championships. Sadly, this was the last time I saw SGM Dionisio "Diony" Canete. COVID cancelled the 2021 World Championships, and we lost SGM Dionisio "Diony" Canete to Covid on Aug 23, 2021.
2001 with 2/3 SFG (A) Battalion Commander LTC Ed Reeder (RET) |
In 2001 I was honored to be awarded the Contract to teach the US Special Forces (Green Berets) |
My first teacher, Greg Alland, teaching SF at my school in Fayetteville, NC. |
In 2000 I developed FIGHT CUT COMBATIVES (Fully Integrated Grappling and Hitting Techniques, Close Up Techniques), and contracted to teach the US Special Forces.
David Sgro with Royce Gracie. I owned the first Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu School in Fayetteville, NC and promoted to with him
2 Stripe Blue Belt in BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu). |
Coached PFC Ryan Howard to with a Gold Medal in the Light Heavy Weight Division at the 82nd Airborne All American Combatives Tournament, May 2002
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May 2002 Coached 1/325 ABN Infantry Team Tryouts for 82nd ABN All American Combatives Tournament
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