The Instructor

Paolo Castaneda began his journey in martial arts at the age of 11, starting with Taekwondo and later expanding his skills to include Filipino Kali and Western Boxing.

 

His formal training in Chinese martial arts began under Shifu Kurt Wong in Anchorage, Alaska. Under Shifu Wong’s guidance, Paolo studied Northern Praying Mantis, Chen-style Taijiquan, and Jiao Men Changquan. After three years, he was accepted as a third-generation disciple in the Wu-Tan tradition, a distinction that granted him the opportunity to learn the advanced arts of Grandmaster Liu Yun-Qiao, including Bajiquan, Piguazhang, and Baguazhang.

 

In 2002, Paolo relocated to Oslo, Norway, where he founded the Oslo Wu-Tan Guoshu Klubb to promote Wu-Tan martial arts across Norway. He has contributed articles on Chinese martial arts to publications such as Inside Kung Fu and RAPID Journal. Paolo has also taught Guoshu at The International Theater Academy of Norway (TITAN), introducing theater students to foundational Chinese martial arts techniques and Long Fist forms.

 

In February 2023, Paolo established Wu-Tan in Copenhagen, Denmark, resuming his teaching of traditional Chinese martial arts. He now trains a dedicated group of students, with the aim of promoting classical styles including Tanglang Quan, Bajiquan, Piguazhang, Chen-style Taijiquan, and Islamic Sect Long Fist.

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