Albanvale martial arts instructor, Sifu Maurice Novoa has been inducted into American Martial Arts Alliance Foundation Legends Hall of Honors.
The recognition highlights Novoa’s dedication to the world of martial arts who moved to Australia at the age of four and fell in love with martial arts as a young boy.
Novoa has also been featured with a biography in the highly anticipated 2023 Cynthia Rothrock ‘Who’s Who in the Martial Arts’ book.
Novoa said he is both humbled and honoured to have been recognised on the international stage.
“Growing up, Cynthia was amazing, she was the Bruce Lee of action martial arts movies,” he said.
Novoa was unable to attend the event in America, but has received his plaque and certificate through the mail where it has taken pride of place at home in his club.
“It’s one of the first things you see when you walk into the club,” he said.
Novoa holds a Level 10 Wing Chun Black Belt, the highest accolade within the International Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy system.
Standing in esteemed company, Novoa is one of few living martial artists to be certified by two Wing Chun Grandmasters, Anthony Arnett and Felix Leong.
Novoa said he remembers watching his own Grandmaster Anthony Arnett be inducted Hall of Honors a number of years ago and never thought he would see himself follow suit.
“I thought that was pretty awesome and that it would probably be only something he’d be eligible for because he had been competing for decades and won thousands of trophies in tournaments over the years. I never really thought it would be little old me from the western suburbs,” he said.
Hannah Hammoud
