Biography

• First Generation Disciple of Grandmaster Richard Lee. Disciple Name: Li Zhi Yi
• A Richard Lee 2nd Degree Black Belt.
• 4th Tuan (Black Sash) under The World Kuo Shu Federation.
• TWKSF Certified International Referee ‘A’
• Served as a TWKSF Executive Referee 2018 International Kuo Shu Championships, Baltimore MD.
• Represented the United States as a TWKSF EXECUTIVE Referee:

  2015 – TWKSF 5th World Kuo Shu Championships, Argentina.

  2012 – TWKSF 4th World Kuo Shu Championships, Malaysia.

• Represented the United States in World Competition:

  2006 – World Kuoshu Championships, Singapore

  2003 – World Kuoshu Championships, Brazil

• Represented Richard Lee’s West Coast Team in International Competition:

  2004 – International Kuo Shu Championships, Baltimore, MD.

  2002 – International Kuo Shu Championships, Baltimore, MD.

  2001 – International Kuo Shu Championships, Baltimore, MD.

  2000 – International Kuo Shu Championships, Baltimore, MD.

  1997 – International Kuo Shu Championships, Baltimore, MD.

  1996 – International Kuo Shu Championships, Baltimore, MD.

• Served as TWKSF EXECUTIVE Referee:

  2016 – International Kuo Shu Championships, Baltimore, MD.

  2015 – International Kuo Shu Championships, Baltimore, MD.

  2014 – International Kuo Shu Championships, Baltimore, MD.

  2013 – International Kuo Shu Championships, Baltimore, MD.

  2012 – International Kuo Shu Championships, Baltimore, MD.

  2011 – International Kuo Shu Championships, Baltimore, MD.

• Served as TWKSF International Certified Referee:

  2010 – International Kuo Shu Championships, Baltimore, MD.

  2009 – International Kuo Shu Championships, Baltimore, MD.

  2008 – International Kuo Shu Championships, Baltimore, MD.

• Served as USKSF Judge:

  2007 – International Kuo Shu Championships, Baltimore, MD.

  2006 – International Kuo Shu Championships, Baltimore, MD.

• Inducted into the Order of the Cobra – 2004.
• Inducted into the Bok-Fu-Do Hall of Fame – 2004.
• Presidents List Member since – 1996.
• Head of Senior Advanced Training Department at Richard Lee’s East West Kung Fu.
• Years of Experience: 21

Dr. Panella’s journey into martial arts began in 1991 at the age of forty-eight. He has been an instructor at East-West since 1994. Dr.Panella has been a disciple of Grandmaster Lee since 2002 and he earned his black belt in 2004 at the young age of sixty-one. Dr.Panella holds the rank of 2nd degree black belt in Bok Fu Do and a 2nd Tuan (black sash) under the World Kuo Shu Federation.

Dr. Panella has consistently participated at the International Kuo Shu Championships in Baltimore, MD since 1996. From 1996-2004, he competed in forms and weapons divisions. From 2006-2010, Dr. Panella served as an official of the tournament, judging forms, weapons and as a Lei Tai corner judge. In 2011, Dr. Panella earned certification as a TWKSF International “A level” Referee. He performed as an Executive Referee for the USKSF in 2011 and 2012. Dr. Panella represented the United States as an Executive Referee at the 4th TWKSF World Kuo Shu Championships.

Dr. Panella represented the United States in forms and weapons competition at the 1st TWKSF World Kuoshu (Kung-Fu) Tournament in Brazil (2003) and the 2nd TWKSF World Tournament in Singapore (2006). He was also a member of the USKSF group that traveled to China in 2002.

Dr. Panella was the Co-Sponsor for the 2012 U.S. International Kuo Shu Championship Tournament in Baltimore, MD. He has also been a constant supporter over the years of the many East-West U.S. teams that have competed all over the world. He is the head of the Senior Advanced Training Department at Richard Lee’s East-West Kung-Fu school.

Some words from Dr. Panella:

“What is Bok Fu Do? To me it is fun, friendly, forming relationships (locally, nationally, and internationally). But, most of all, it is Family. During my 20 plus years at East West it has become a second home. The quality of the instructors, and students is of the highest level. The professionalism is beyond reproach. It is physically challenging but mentally rewarding. At this stage in my life it is definitely delaying the aging process. I look at it as Alzheimer’s prevention.”