SIFU AL DELA CRUZ
9TH DEGREE GRAND MASTER

Born on January 2, 1942 and raised in Waipahu, O'ahu, Hawai'i he began his career in martial arts with Judo at 10 years old, but inspired on into boxing which remains his passion to this day. The Filipino stick fighting was taught to him by his father, the late Mr. Enrique Dela Cruz in the Cinco Tieros system.  He joined the Kenpo Karate Club under the late Grandmaster Sid Asuncion and in 1962 became Sid's first Black Belt and also the first assistant after joining Sid in 1959. 

1966, he received his first kajukenbo self-defense institute diploma certificate black belt instructorship, from the founder of Kajukenbo, Adriano D. Emperado. Sifu Al Dela Cruz was the co-founder of the Tum-Pai section and is the sole surviving founder of the original Ch'uan Fa section of Kajukenbo that he co-founded with Adriano Emperado and Al Dacascos back in the mid- 1960's.

He is a retired Honolulu Police Officer of nearly 29 years under his belt and presently serves on the HPD reserve Program; and is a respected Board Member with KOA Council of Grand Masters.  He  first fought in Joe Emperado's 1st annual Memorial Tournament in 1969 and since than have fought in many tournaments especially in he field of Boxing.  His over 55 years of martial arts skills has giving him the respect and is well received in his seminar presentations.

His arts of Kajukenbo Ch'uan-Fa has produced many talented Black Belts who now have their owns schools in selected cities on the USA mainland and clubs on various Islands of the Hawaiian chain.

     1978 - San Diego International Olympic Games Bronze Medal in Boxing  
     1980-  New York - Bronze Medal
     1982-Houston, Texas - Bronze Medal (Karate - Kumite Division)