Brief Bio:

Dr. Panella’s journey into martial arts began in 1991 when he first began taking lessons at East-West. An Endodontist by trade, Dr. Panella earned his black belt in 2004. He is a first generation disciple of Grandmaster Richard Lee. Dr. Panella holds the rank of 2nd degree black belt in the Bok Fu Do system and a 2nd Tuan (black sash) in Chinese Kuoshu.

Dr. Panella represented the United States in forms and weapons competition at the 1st T.W.K.S.F. World Kuoshu (Kung-Fu) Tournament in Brazil (2003) and the 2nd T.W.K.S.F. World Tournament in Singapore (2006). He is the head of the Senior Advanced Training Department at Richard Lee’s East-West Kung-Fu school.

Dr. Panella placed third in the World Tournament in senior forms division - 2nd TWKSF World Kuoshu Tournament, Singapore 2006.

• First Generation Disciple of Grandmaster Richard Lee.

• A Richard Lee 2nd Degree Black Belt.

• Certified International Referee ‘B’ by The World Kuoshu Federation.

• Represented the United States in World Competition:
- 2006 - World Kuoshu Championships, Singapore
- 2003 - World Kuoshu Championships, Brazil

• Represented Richard Lee’s West Coast Team in National Competition:
- 2006 - International Kuoshu Championships, Baltimore, MD.
- 2005 - International Kuoshu Championships, Baltimore, MD.
- 2004 - International Kuoshu Championships, Baltimore, MD.
- 2001 - International Kuoshu Championships, Baltimore, MD.
- 2000 - International Kuoshu Championships, Baltimore, MD.

• Inducted into the Order of the Cobra – 2004.

• Inducted into the Bok-Fu-Do Hall of Fame – 2004.

• Presidents List Member since – 1996.

• Head of Senior Advanced Training Department at Richard Lee’s East West Kung Fu.

Dr. Panella with Grandmaster Lee and Master Buckley at the Tzuen Ta Pagoda - Sun Moon Lake, Republic of China 2006.