Mr. Juan Padilla
Chief Instructor of White Dragon Martial Arts Chula Vista
Juan Padilla was introduced to traditional Chinese martial arts at the early age of eight in his native Guadalajara, in Jalisco, Mexico. His early studies were in the art of Shaolin Kung Fu until he and his family immigrated to the U.S. in 1990. Shortly after arriving in the U.S., he enrolled at White Dragon Martial Arts in La Mesa, California and began his training in Choy Li Fut Kung Fu and Yang style Tai Chi.
Mr. Padilla's passion and dedication to training enabled him to quickly advance through the ranks, and earn many prestigious achievements within the organization. He began his teaching career after earning his red sash under Sifu Donald Tittle in 2003. Within two years he was promoted to Assistant Chief Instructor at White Dragon's head quarters school. During that time he produced many high ranking students and instructors and consistently placed in the top three in most instructor competitions, including winning White Dragon's 2007 Instructor's Grand Championship, a competition of over 100 highly trained martial arts instructors.
In 2010, Mr. Padilla was promoted to the level of Chief Instructor by Master Nathan Fisher for his outstanding leadership and commitment to quality instruction. Today, he serves as Co-Chief Instructor at White Dragon's newest school in Chula Vista, Ca.
Mr. Harsha Dandamudi
Chief Instructor of White Dragon Martial Arts Chula Vista
Harsha Dandamudi moved to San Diego to attend the University of California San Diego for his undergraduate studies in 2000. In 2003, he began his martial arts training at the White Dragon School in Mira Mesa, where he studied Choy Li Fut Kung Fu and Yang Tai Chi. In 2004, Mr. Dandamudi graduated from UCSD with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science with a specialty in International Relations.
Over the next few years, Mr. Dandamudi advanced quickly and stood out as one of the top instructors at White Dragon Mira Mesa. By 2005 he was privileged to begin training directly from Sifu Ming Lau, Mira Mesa's Chief Instructor and the top student of Sifu Don Tittle. He has successfully followed in his teacher's footsteps both in competition as well as in his passion for teaching. Over the years, Mr. Dandamudi has earned top honors in Choy Li Fut and Tai Chi hand and weapons forms, as well as tai chi push hands, Chinese kickboxing, grappling, and weapons combat.
His success in martial arts competition was not limited to the US. In 2007, Mr. Dandamudi traveled all the way to southern China for an international tournament in Xu Wen, where he earned a gold medal in competition there. In addition to his tournament wins, he has produced many successful students at White Dragon both in rank achievement, as well as high level competition in the school's annual Dragon Cup Championship. In 2010, Master Nathan Fisher promoted Mr. Dandamudi to the level of Chief Instructor to recognize his outstanding talent as a martial artist and teacher. Today, Harsha Dandamudi serves as Co-Chief Instructor at White Dragon Chula Vista.
