Sign up for the latest news about Cung Le and the gym.
Professional
 |
Sam Spengler began wrestling at the age of 6 in Helena, MT. He wrestled actively until college, when he pursued playing football for 4 years, starting each year as outside linebacker and voted team captain his senior year. He earned his degree in education with a football scholarship. After college, he played rugby full-time for one year and then moved to San Jose, CA for a change of scenery. He then began his teaching career in Physical Education and coaching wrestling. After attending the "Born To Fight II" San Shou tournament, Sam knew that he wanted to train in the art of San Shou. He started training at Cung Le Martial Arts in 2004 and has been there since. Currently Sam is head of his Physical Education Department in San Jose and is finishing his Master's Degree in Administration and Leadership. He continues to balance his love for teaching, coaching, and training MMA.
|
 |
James has an extension college wrestling background. He moved to Northern California in 2005 when he began to sharpen his kickboxing under the guidance of Cung Le. James now trains in MMA and work as an instructor and personal trainer at Cung Le's gym. James is a Strikeforce fighter.
|
 |
Influenced by his grandfather, who is also his best friend, Anthony's martial arts training began in 2005 in Susanville, California, with no previous training other than wrestling. With little to no background in martial arts, Anthony turned into a professional MMA fighter without an amateur record of any type, currently competing at 170 pounds. He incorporates his strength in striking with his experience in wrestling, making him a respected and successfully anticipated 170 pound UFC fighter. He recently joined Cung Le's USH Fight Team essentially to master striking with who he deems to be one of the best stand up fighters in the world: Cung Le.
|
 |
After 2 years of wrestling and 2.5 years of football in high school, José Palacios started training in Wushu to sharpen his fighting skills. Three months later, he began training at Cung Le's gym, where he has blossomed into one of the nation's top amatuer kickboxing fighters. In 2006, José turned professional with MMA, mixing in rigorous ground training.
|
 |
Thomas Diagne grew up in the suburbs of Paris. Passionate about martial arts and competition since the age of 14, Thomas began instruction in kung fu wushu and trained in sparring and forms. In 1999, Thomas gave up forms in favor of sparring and entered his first regional San Shou competition (Chinese boxing), becoming junior champion in his weight class. In 2000, he became a member of the junior team of France. In 2003 he trained in boxing and Muay Thai. In 2004, Thomas became the San Shou champion of France in the adult league, a title he continues to hold to this day. Thomas began to rise to an international level, and gained recognition as a talented athlete by teams and other nations. In 2008, he decided to begin training with Cung Le where he hopes to pursue a career in MMA.
|
 |
Ricky has been training in San Shou at Cung Le's gym for almost a decade. He has achieved an accomplished amatuer kickboxing career, and began competing as a professional MMA fighter in 2007.
|
 |
Igniting his martial arts career in 2002, Anthony started off his training in Tae Kwon Do in Gilroy. He was truly inspired by Cung Le and the USH! Fight Team in 2005 after watching Born To Fight IV in 2004. Wanting to move to the next level, Anthony joined the USH! Fight Team in 2005 in San Jose. Always having a passion for fighting and competition, Anthony makes the commute to train with the Cung Le and the USH! Fight Team.
|
 |
Starting martial arts at a young age of 12 as a Cung Le Panther in the junior’s program at Cung Le’s Martial Arts Training, Andrew has been a force to reckon with. Having no previous martial arts experience, his background is mainly in wrestling. Training at Cung Le’s Martial Arts since 1999, Andrew wrestled in middle school for two years and high school for four years, becoming the youngest member of the US National San Shou Team in 2005.
|
 |
From Westmont High School to West Valley College, Adam was an active wrestler at weights ranging from 119 to 125 pounds. He was encouraged by Brian Kuhn, a West Valley Martial Arts instructor whom Adam credits as inspiration. Naturally, he pursued competing at Cung Le Martial Arts, applying his wrestling abilities to MMA. With an amateur kickboxing record of 3-0, Adam turned professional in MMA February of 2008 utilizing San Shou, Muay Thai, wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques. A recent college graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences, Adam plans on continuing the growth of a successful professional record with the help of Cung Le.
|
 |
Van was born in Saigon, Vietnam. Her training began with Tae Kwon Do when she was 12 years old. She has also trained in several other styles, including Aikido, Karate, and Vovinam (Vietnamese martial arts). In 2002, kickboxing piqued her interest because it was the fastest way to start fighting in competitions. Seeking out the best in kickboxing training, she found Cung Le, who turned her into a national San Shou champion within only four months of training. Now, Van is fully pursuing a career in martial arts where her training incorporates San Shou, Muay Thai, Submission Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Mixed Martial Arts.
|
Amatuer
 |
Martin became familiar with Cung Le's electrifying performances on television. He was even more ecstatic when he learned that Cung Le's gym was located in San Jose. Training began in early 2007 and Martin focused on striking techniques. With the popularity of mixed martial arts rising drastically, Martin has also been taking advantage of learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling. He recently made his amateur kickboxing debut, winning by referee stoppage due to his opponent being overwhelmed with Martin's unrelentless flurry of strikes. Plans to turn professional in 2009 don't stop him from training and practicing as if he already is.
|
 |
Like many, Miguel enjoyed and was impressed by watching Coach Cung Le dominate his opponents. He began training San Shou at Cung Le Martial Arts nearly a decade ago. Although he appreciates the art of San Shou, Miguel currently practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in hopes of turning professional in the near future.
|
 |
Justin started out wrestling for Gilroy High School. Then he got into Tae Kwon Do, but felt like he took it as far as i could. He then found Cung Le's gym, where he knew he could train with champions and learn a lot from them. Justin plans to turn professional in 2009. In his spare time, he enjoys playing the guitar and mountain biking.
|
 |
Roger started out wrestling for Santa Clara High. In finding ways to stay active and healthy after high school, he joined Cung Le's gym on recommendation of a friend. Starting with with cardio kickboxing, he soon took take his training to the next level by joining the USH Fight Team. Roger has sharpened his Muay Thai since training with Cung Le, which has launched his amateur kickboxing career. He plans to turn professional in 2009.
|
 |
.
|
 |
Rizaldy began Cung Le's cardio kick boxing classes near the end of 2006, simply looking for a good workout. James Terry, Teammate and close friend, inspired Rizaldy to start fighting. Ever since, Rizaldy has divulged himself into mixed martial arts training, learning San Shou, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu styles of fighting.
|
 |
Ryuta is a quick 142-147lb fighter who has a savvy style from his extensive martial arts background. He has evolved into a stronger fighter training with the USH Fight Team and focusing on his training.
|
 |
Chris is an excellent young fighter with great movement and speed. His dedication and commitment to training with the USH Fight Team has brought him to his debut in amateur muay thai over the last year.
|
 |
Tony is one of the newest breed of fighters training at the Cung Le center. He is one of the most dedicated, hard working fighters in the gym; we expect great things from him.
|
