Kung fu king turns cultural envoy

ALBUQUERQUE, the United States - Ray Tokuda, a 54-year-old Japanese American, is proud of the title his school has given him. He is a shifu, a Chinese word literally meaning a master, mentor or senior practioner of martial arts.

Tokuda has reason to be proud. He has been involved with Chinese martial arts for almost four decades. After learning them at the martial arts school here in US New Mexico State, today he is among the most experienced kung fu teachers of the school.

Founded by a Chinese American in 1974, the training center accepts only those with stunning kungfu skills and a profound understanding of martial arts as its masters, said Shanti Thomas, general manager of the school.