Bob Platukis, 6 th level black belt has been chief instructor of Bando of New England since 1975. He was a member of the American Bando Association’s Board of Directors and edited its national newsletter for six years. Bob is an honorably discharged U.S. Army veteran. He takes pride in his service to his country. Bob co-directed the 1977 bando nationals in Salsbury, MD.

While Dr. Maung Gyi was doing post doctorial studies at Harvard, Bob received specialized advanced training from Dr. Gyi in short, medium and long range weaponless and weapons fighting arts. Bob was chosen by Dr. Gyi to be one of the few instructors he lived with for an extended period of time. This was the opportunity of a lifetime which has been greatly appreciated and treasured. This training was both personalized and intensive.

In May of 2005, Bob celebrated over 37 years of serious martial arts training. His martial arts experience has included study in many different martial arts. He only awards rank in the Burmese Martial Arts.

He has great respect for other serious and ethical martial artists and their styles. There is more than one way to reach a great city. However, some of the roads are designed better than others.

Bob has developed expertise in empty-handed fighting and forms, tournament training and judging, self-defense, long staff, walking cane, short stick, Ghurkha’s kukri, Burmese sword(dha), Burmese animal forms and other esoteric areas. Burmese animal forms imitate the viper, tiger, scorpion, python, panther, eagle, cobra, boar and bull.

Bob’s education includes a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and a Masters Degree in Education.

For further information on self-defense classes, bando middle style, demonstrations and rape prevention clinics contact:

Bando of New England
1017 Southbridge Street (RT 12)
Worcester, MA
(508) 832-3685

INSTRUCTORS

The present is a product of the past which leads you into the future. The future greatly influences the present.

Bob’s first bando instructor was Dr. Paul Wing-Ling Kwan, fourth level black belt, with whom he studied for six years at Clark University. Dr. Kwan is an internationally known martial arts technician whose knowledge of Burmese, Chinese and Japanese martial arts and history is seldom approached. His penchant for exactness and precision will long be remembered.

Bob first began studying with Dr. Maung Gyi in May of 1974. Dr. Gyi started teaching bando in the United States about forty years ago. He was the chief instructor of the American Bando Association and a major source of bando. He retired from being chief instructor in May 2005. He is a talented, knowledgeable, world renowned fighter and master of Burmese martial arts. He has a genius I.Q. and is a retired professor of communications and psychology. He has had over one hundred full contact fights as a bando boxer (no gloves are worn) in Burma. His expertise in weaponry is well known. Dr. Gyi’s unique skills enable him to quickly improve the fighting skills of expert fighters. His demonstrations of coconut and balloon breaking have amazed audiences.

STUDENTS

Bob believes the main test of a teacher is how far he develops the knowledge and skills of his students. A great deal of experience, work, pain, time, heart, pride and other elements go into developing all of a person’s talents. The end result is a joy for the instructor and the student.