Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 4, 2007

Chris Strelau of the Chinese Martial Arts Academy in Bellingham,
U.S.A Martial Arts Hall of Fame 2007
“Martial Arts Hero of the Year” and “Special Masters Inspirational Award”

 

BELLINGHAM KUNG FU MASTER AWARDED SPECIAL COMMENDATION
IN “U. S. A. MARTIAL ARTS HALL OF FAME”

On June 2, 2007. Chris Strelau of the Chinese Martial Arts Academy in Bellingham, WA, was inducted into the U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame at a black tie ceremony held in Los Angeles, CA. The International Martial Arts Council (IMAC) created two unique awards for Strelau, distinctions never before granted in the history of this prestigious organization. The awards were “Martial Arts Hero of the Year,” and “Special Masters Inspirational Award.”
Under the best of circumstances, becoming a kung fu master is a rare achievement that takes a lifetime of training and dedication. Strelau’s success is especially impressive because he is saddled with an additional burden — epilepsy. He credits martial arts with helping him work through the enormous challenges associated with managing the epilepsy and its medication side-effects, and also with redirecting his attitudes about life. “After having been kicked out of school for getting into fights, I was voted ‘Friendliest’ in my class by the time I graduated high school. That’s the type of difference martial arts made in my life,” he says.
Since Strelau started his training in 1976, his dream was to inspire others to learn the martial way. To that end, he opened his first martial arts school in 1990, in Boise, Idaho, and later in 1994, founded the Bellingham Kung Fu/Tai Chi Club on Holly Street. Tragically, the school shut down when he suffered serious injuries from an auto accident. During six months of grueling physical rehabilitation, Strelau pushed himself back into his beloved martial arts training and in 2006, reclaimed his dream by opening the Chinese Martial Arts Academy on State Street. His school offers Tai chi and Hung Gar Kung Fu for all ages and skill levels. “My philosophy, and one of the reasons I’ve been teaching, is to help others,” he says.
“Chris Strelau inspires everyone,” says Dawn Groves, one of Strelau’s Tai Chi students. “He emanates deep humility and a clear mastery of his art, qualities that only come from hard work, a purpose-driven life, and enormous personal triumph.”
Strelau is a master in Hung Gar, a Cantonese style of Shaolin Tiger & Crane Kung Fu. He is also a Yang Tai Chi master, teaching students ranged in ages from 6 to 89. He won numerous state and regional competitions including the AAU Championships, Northwest Karate Championships, and Washington State Martial Arts Championships in Forms, Weapons and Sparring. Sifu Strelau has coached international Champions and is himself a Judge and Referee for National and International competitions. He has taught at Western Washington University and also consults on women’s self defense. Strelau, who has studied martial arts in the United States and in China, makes his home in Bellingham, WA, with his wife and three children.