Sifu Sergio
Pascal Iadarola
Worldwide renowned teacher and author; Researcher: Internal Martial arts Grandmaster in several styles. One of the most knowledgeable wing chun and Taijiquan alive today.
The Living Tai Chi Encyclopedia
From early childhood, Sifu Sergio Pascal Iadarola dedicated his life to the study of martial arts, moving beyond competition toward a deeper search for authentic knowledge. What began in Amsterdam became a disciplined pursuit of Wing Chun as a complete and living system, rather than a collection of isolated styles.
His journey led him across Europe, China, and Southeast Asia, into private training, family lineages, and rarely taught internal traditions. Through decades of direct transmission and research, Sifu Sergio became one of the few Western practitioners to preserve and transmit the true internal roots of the Eternal Spring arts.
Multiple Lineages
30+ Years Research
Living Encyclopedia
A Lifetime of Mastery
Numbers tell only part of the story, but they reveal the magnitude of dedication required to achieve true mastery across multiple authentic lineages.
45
+
Years of dedicated martial arts study
16
Countries — Schools of the Kung Fu Department of the IWKA
16
+
Years lived in Mainland China and Hong Kong
5
+
Authentic classical martial lineages
The Living Tradition
A lifelong dedication to the internal cultivation of Mind, Body and Energy, guided by direct transmission, embodied practice and classical lineages.
2003
Foundations in Amsterdam
Began studying Large Frame Yang Taijiquan (Yang Cheng Fu lineage) under Sifu Alan Fong in Amsterdam. Mastered the complete set and several Yang Taiji two-person sets.
2008
Deepening Research
Delved significantly deeper into studying multiple lineages of Yang Taijiquan, seeking the core principles across different traditions.
2012
The Huang Shen Shyan System
Entered the Huang Shen Shyan system (Fujian White Crane + 37 Postures of Cheng Man Ching). Studied in Taiwan, Singapore, and New Zealand, including four years as a private indoor student.
China Research
The Tian Family Heritage
Conducted extensive research throughout mainland China. In Shanghai, he was accepted as a private student of Sifu Tian Bing Yuan, the grandson of Yang Taiji Grandmaster Tian Zhaolin.
Historic Milestone
First Westerner Certification
Received a certificate of completion for the entire Old Yang unarmed Taijiquan system (Large, Middle, 64 Small Frame, 88 San Shou, Da Lu, and full Tui Shou cycles) — the first time a Westerner received this certificate from the Tian family.
2016 – Present
Internal Development
Accepted as a private student, focusing on Yi Quan standing meditation and an advanced approach to Yang Taijiquan centered on internal cultivation and refinement.
Continuing the Lineage
Transmission in Practice
The work continues through teaching, transmission and direct experience — guiding students toward profound transformation in Mind, Body and Energy.
The Pilgrimage
Follow the extraordinary journey of a young Italian-Dutch martial artist who would become one of the most knowledgeable Kung Fu masters in the world, traveling across continents in search of authentic wisdom.
1968 - The Beginning
The Young Warrior
At just six years old, Sergio begins his martial arts journey with Judo in Amsterdam. By twelve, he's already studying Pencak Silat and Wado Kai Karate. But it's Bruce Lee who ignites his passion for Wing Chun—a flame that would burn for decades.
1987 - The Calling
Finding Wing Chun
Sergio’s first encounter with Wing Chun is a revelation—he immediately senses the art’s profound depth and subtle intelligence. He begins his training under Sifu R. Vogel and Grandmaster Wang Kiu, immersing himself in the system’s foundations. Yet a pivotal moment arrives when he discovers a book by Leung Ting. Within its pages, Sergio recognizes a deeper calling—one that resonates unmistakably with his own path. From that moment on, he knows he must follow this particular lineage.
1994-1998 - European Quest
The European Journey
Traveling across Europe, Sergio attends seminars with Sifu Emin Boztepe and takes hundreds of private lessons from masters like Sifu H.P. Edel and Sifu S. Avci. In 1997, he's appointed Israeli chief instructor for EWTO, running a successful school in Tel Aviv.
1998-2001 - The Dream Realized
Meeting the Grandmaster
Sergio’s long-held dream is realized when he meets Grandmaster Leung Ting in Hong Kong. Accepted as a private student, Sergio approaches this rare opportunity with absolute dedication. To make the most of it, he ensures that he has completed the entire unarmed Wing Chun system under direct students of Grandmaster Leung Ting—among them Sifu Slavko Truntic. This preparation allows him to fully absorb and maximize more than 150 hours of private instruction with Grandmaster Leung Ting, undertaken across Hong Kong and Shunde, China.
2001 - New York Mastery
Weapons & Recognition
In New York, Sergio completes the Leung Ting weapons system under Si-Pak Allan Fong, making history as the first person ever to learn the Bart Cham Dao directly from him. Deeply impressed by Sergio’s skill and dedication, Si-Pak Allan Fong promotes him to 7th Level Practician.
2002 - The Birth of IWKA
Building a Legacy
Sifu Sergio later founds the International Wing Chun Kung Fu Association (IWKA), an organization dedicated to preserving and spreading authentic Leung Ting Wing Tsun. In time, the association evolves and is renamed the Internal Wisdom and Knowledge Association, reflecting a deeper philosophical direction. As Sergio’s reputation for profound knowledge and comprehensive understanding grows, schools begin to flourish across Europe, establishing a strong and respected international presence.
2002-2012 - The Revelation
Discovering Hidden Lineages
Through the time he spends in Hong Kong and mainland China, Sergio comes to understand that the Ip Man system represents only a portion of Wing Chun’s broader and more complex heritage. This realization leads him into an intensive study of older lineages—some of which preserve internal cultivation methods previously unknown to him—deepening his understanding of the art beyond its commonly taught forms.
2008-2018 - The Living Encyclopedia
The Great Pilgrimage
Sergio leaves his successful European schools to his students and moves to China, then Hong Kong. He becomes one of the first Westerners to open a successful Kung Fu school in Shenzhen China and Hong Kong central, studying intensively with masters like Sifu Cheng Kwong, Sifu Sunny So, and others.
2012-Present - The Living Encyclopedia
The Complete Master
After decades of research across multiple continents, Sergio has reconstructed the authentic internal Wing Chun system. Featured as “The Living Wing Chun Encyclopedia”, he now shares this profound knowledge through the Eternal Spring Institute.
The Masters’ Circle
Sifu Sergio's journey brought him into contact with some of the most respected masters in Wing Chun and Taijiquan history, each contributing to his profound understanding and skills of these arts.
The Lineages of Mastery
Wing Chun Lineages Studied:
- Leung Ting Wing Tsun System(completed)
- Lo Family Weng Chun (Siu Lam Ving Tsun)
- Tang Family Weng Chun (Eternal Spring)
- Sum Nung Wing Chun (Yuen Kay San)
- Gu Lao Wing Chun (Dr. Leung Jan)
- Vietnamese Wing Chun (Yuen Chai Wan)
Snake crane Wing Chun
Ancestor Systems:
- Fujian Yong Chun Bai He (White Crane)
- Emei Zhe Zhuang (12 Postures)
- Internal cultivation methods
- Secret society teachings
- Original Kuen Kuit (1800s & 1890s)
Taiji Gallery
Learn from a Living Master
Now is your opportunity to study with one of the most knowledgeable Tai Chi masters alive today. Whether online or in person at our Madeira sanctuary, Sifu Sergio’s teachings will transform your practice.