Today we’d like to introduce you to Remilio (Shifu) Oliviere.
Shifu Remilio Oliviere was born to Lorraine and Benjamin Oliviere on October 11th 1965 in the borough of Brooklyn at Kings County Hospital. Benjamin being a Career Marine originally stationed in the far east had studied various Martial Arts styles in which he began to pass on to his only son at the early age of 4.
By the age of 7, Shifu Oliviere Sr. had already been competing in New York’s tournament circuit for 2 years in which he earned a place in every tournament. It was at this age of 7 that he started to be trained by Master Courtney Williams of New York’s Foo Jow Pai who was a student of Wai Hong in the heart of Chinatown. Master Williams and Lorraine were friends who worked in the United Nations together as translators…
During Shifu Olivieres training under Master Williams, 4 yrs had passed and countless tournaments had been won. During the winter of 1977, while attending a tournament, two students of Grandmaster ZongShi George Crayton Jr. noticed Shifu Oliviere in competition and were amazed by his potential. He was introduced to Grandmaster ZongShi and joined school immediately.
ZongShi Crayton took Shifu not only into his school but into his family as well. The training was extremely difficult; Shifu Oliviere remained steadfast and as a result won countless competitions between the years of 1977 to 1986. At the young age of 16, Shifu Oliviere became the youngest disciple of Grandmaster ZongShi George Crayton Jr. In 1990, Shifu a newlywed, moved his wife to Tacoma Washington.
While residing in Tacoma WA., Shifu Oliviere studied under Frank Dux earning rank. He quickly grew weary and moved to Atlanta Ga, where he began to teach with fellow classmate Abdul Muttakibir also earning rank.
Today Shifu Oliviere is known for his countless contributions to his community. His mentoring troubled youth and afterschool programs are monumental testimony to his “Anyone Can” campaign which teaches youth that despite fact that anyone can make it.
Shifu Oliviere is the Owner and founder of Gong Fu Atlanta Chinese Boxing Institute. Here he teaches what he calls Xìtǒng Zǒngshi Zài Xué. This translates simply “The System of Always Learning”.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
An abusive childhood in Queens NY where there is no justice for a minority family.
Please tell us about Kung Fu Atlanta.
Kung Fu Atlanta was founded on the principle that Experience is the best teacher. Old school training in Martial Arts is the only way. I specialize in taking the worst and making them the best that they can be in everything. Kung fu can be translated in many ways. the translation that holds dear to me is “Achieving skill over time” Everyone has Kung Fu. the mailman, the banker, the school teacher etc. I am best known for making champions not just in the ring, but life as well. Everyone I teach does better in school and life. despite my past hardships, this is what I am most proud of. When a mother comes to me and says that her son or daughter doesn’t get bad grades anymore or is not disrespectful anymore. Or my child received a scholarship. This is my reward. This sets us apart from other schools. There are very few Kung Fu Schools in Georgia period. So we had to strive to be better than other schools and names of the local circuit.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memories are that of my teacher’s wife. She was a very special woman.Pretty much fed me and made sure that I was safe.Instead of going home after class she would make me stay and feed me and my teacher and I would stay up watching Kung fu movies like two kids.
Pricing:
- ages 4-12 $135 monthly
- ages 13 and up $150 monthly
Contact Info:
- Address: 5205 Flemish Court
College Park, Ga. 30349 - Website: www.kungfuatlanta.com
- Phone: 404 503 6767
- Email: info@kungfuatlanta.com
- Facebook: shifu.oliviere.3
Image Credit:
Ian Evans of Cummings Martial Arts Zongshi George Crayton Jr of Long Hu Pai All the people who believed in me and especially those who did not
