| Ray got his start at the age of 7 taking Northern Shaolin Kung Fu also known as Chin Woo Kung Fu (Yes, the same as the one in Bruce Lee's "Chinese Connection" *Fists of Fury as most of us know it* and also Jet Li's Fist of Legend!). At the age of 14 he started learning more different martial arts skills such as wushu, gymnastics and also kickboxing and boxing. He's since then earned his 2nd degree black belt in Northern Shoalin Kung Fu. He traveled to Malaysia to learn from Master Teng and still goes back and visits from time to time learning more from his sifu. He has also been coached by British Wu Shu coach Kim Han. He has competed in numerous martial arts tournaments around the world. At the age of 16 Ray won Great Britain's Martial Arts National Championship for his group. He's competed in the first Wu Shu Championships in Bei Jing, China. He's also competed in the Malaysian National Championships, The European Championships in which he won 4 gold medals (I wish I knew the categories!), and also in the Wu Shu/Chin Woo championships where he won more gold medals (I'd hate to see how crowded this guys trophy case is!). He's also competed in several other tournaments in Europe and Asia. In 95 he competed in the Martial Arts World Championships where he placed 4th. NOT A BAD TOURNAMENT RESUME! HE'S A WORLD CHAMPION!!!! THE MAN DESERVES SOME MAJOR RESPECT!!! Although he doesn't compete anymore (although he's changed his competition genre when you think about it). I know of two students that Ray had taught and they are really in awe of Ray (as well as lots of other people WORLDWIDE!!) and I don't blame them! Ray said he wished he could fly. Well, I kinda want to quote one of his students when he told me that "That man can FLY!" Hey Ray! YOU CAN!!! For a more detailed list of his accomplishments as well as reading it all straight from Ray, go to raypark.net and click on his martial arts biography! |
| Ray and Mike, another former British Wushu Team member performing Duilian (a two man sparring set) in competition. Thanks Mike! |
