The "Lei Tai Competitor of the Year" tribute capped 22-year-old Hunter College student Signoriello's two-year reign as holder of the middleweight 'b' division championship belt, with wins at the Kuoshu full-contact competitions in 2005 and 2006. Signoriello flew for the honor from Taipei, Taiwan, where he is studying Chinese language on a merit scholarship. Banquet attendees included Signoriello's Sifu C.K. Chu, as well as his Signoriello's parents and fellow Chu Tai Chi students.

At the July 2006 tournament Signoriello successfully defended his championship title by beating three fighters on a single day (Saturday 7/22/06), including defeat of the 2004 champ in one of three tough elimination rounds.

Signoriello's triumphs have repeatedly demonstrated the versatility of his tai chi training against more specialized hard styles. These Lei Tai kickboxing rules included an open platform and open-finger gloves for grappling.

Signoriello's signature tai chi moves include a front heel-kick that sent competitors off the three-foot-high lei tai platform, as well as rollback yielding and grabbing. The tai chi influence could be seen at the 2007 fights, where fighters trained in hard styles incorporated tai chi kicks, parry-punches, and two-palm attacks.

Master C.K. Chu, founder of the Chu Tai Chi studio that has been in Times Square, New York City, since 1973, commented, "I'm always proud when my students demonstrate the power of tai chi not just for health but also for self-defense. In my opinion, tai chi is the best system in the world for both health and combat skill."

For more information contact:
Chu Tai Chi
(212) 221-6110
156 West 44th Street
New York NY 10036
email ckchu@chutaichi.com
http://www.chutaichi.com