Good morning Bill Newman

Grand Master Bill Newman

Pioneer of Escrima in Europe

A life dedicated to martial arts

Grand Master Bill Newman is recognized as one of the first Europeans to study and teach the Filipino art of armed combat: Escrima.

His journey began in the 1960s, when only Judo and Ju-Jitsu were known in the West.
He became a personal student of Brian Jones, a martial arts pioneer, studying a combination of Wado Ryu Karate and Wing Chun for seven years.

The turning point came thanks to his friend Dick Morris, who introduced him to Master Rene Latosa.
Through Latosa, Bill came into contact with legends of Filipino martial arts such as:

  • Angel Cabales
  • Leo Giron
  • John Latosa

Thus contributing to bringing Escrima to Europe for the first time.

The meeting with Dr. Keith R. Kernspecht and the EWTO

  • 1977: Bill Newman and Rene Latosa are invited to Kiel by Dr. Keith R. Kernspecht for the first European Escrima seminar.
  • 1979: “Escrima”, the first European book dedicated to this art, is published and will have numerous reprints.

When Rene Latosa returns to the USA, Bill Newman continues to spread Escrima in Europe under the aegis of the European WingTsun Organisation (EWTO).
He constantly travels between the United States and Asia, enriching his technical knowledge and maintaining a strong connection with the best masters.

A bridge between East and West

Escrima not only opened the doors of Filipino traditions to him, but also prompted him to rediscover medieval and ancient European weapons.
Within the EWTO, Bill Newman created a section dedicated to Western weapons, applying the principles of Escrima to a wider historical arsenal.

Awards and Recognition

  • Visiting Professor at Plovdiv State University (Bulgaria)
  • Over 40 years of international teaching in Europe, America and Asia
  • Key promoter of the spread of Escrima in the West

The Legacy of GM Bill Newman

The current popularity of Escrima in Europe is largely due to the dedication, expertise, and vision of Grand Master Bill Newman.

For almost half a century, his mission has been to pass on and preserve Filipino martial arts, making them accessible to an ever wider audience.

Join the change

EWTO is more than an organization: it is a community of
schools, teachers, and enthusiasts who want to promote an authentic,
evolved, and accessible martial art for everyone.

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