DaiSifu Filippo Cuciuffo

8th Master Degree – National Instructor Italy
† June 2, 2022

Profile

• National Instructor Italy
  
• Founder of EWTO Italy
• Motto: "WingTsun is life for me!"

Origins and emigration

Filippo Cuciuffo was born in Aidone (EN), Sicily.

At just twelve years old, after finishing middle school, he decided to join his family in Germany, where he continued his studies by attending evening classes.

From childhood, he cultivated a strong passion for football, which led him to pursue a career as a professional footballer. From 1972 to 1979, he played for the Saarbrücken team, which was then in Serie C and later promoted to Serie B.

During those years, he had the opportunity to compete against football legends like Franz Beckenbauer, then with Bayern Munich, and to play alongside Felix Magath and Andreas Brehme.

After his competitive career ended, he continued to collaborate with the football world by coaching a youth team, with which he won the category championship.

Versatility and entrepreneurial spirit

The eldest of five siblings, Filippo Cuciuffo soon demonstrated a spirit of sacrifice and remarkable organizational skills.

In the gastronomic sector, he managed to open three restaurants and two pubs, with a total staff of about thirty employees.

The first contact with WingTsun

Alongside sports and entrepreneurship, he always cultivated an interest in martial arts, practicing Judo and Karate.

After retiring from professional football, he first encountered the WingTsun Leung Ting system under the guidance of Grandmaster Keith R. Kernspecht.

That encounter changed his life: he dedicated himself completely to studying the system, eventually bringing it to Italy and spreading it as the founder of WTOI (now EWTO Italia), officially recognized by both the EWTO and the IWTA.

The encounter with Grandmaster Bill Newman

In 1990, he met Grandmaster Bill Newman, founder of the Escrima system within the EWTO, and became his direct student.

Since then, he maintained a relationship of esteem and friendship with him, contributing decisively to the development of Escrima in Italy.

Over time, he organized numerous international seminars in Italy, hosting prominent figures such as SiGung Keith R. Kernspecht, Grandmaster Bill Newman, and Great Grandmaster Leung Ting.

Professional and institutional contribution

In addition to leading the development of WingTsun and Escrima in Italy, DaiSifu Filippo Cuciuffo taught as a consultant in various institutional contexts, including:

• Italian universities
• Special units of the Prison Police
• Anti-drug units
• Hostage rescue units
• Special forces of law enforcement

Legacy

With the rank of 8th Master and the title of National Instructor Italy, DaiSifu Filippo Cuciuffo represented a central figure for the spread of WingTsun and Escrima in Italy for almost forty years, from 1985 to 2022.

His dedication, energy, and passion have shaped generations of students and instructors, leaving an indelible legacy in the Italian and international martial arts community.