We are proud to highlight the name of sifu Shiva Bahadur Thapa who introduced Jeet Kune Do in Nepal for the first time. He was born in Juji Thapa Gaun ,Bajhang District in the fare western development region of Nepal ,in a farmer 's family.he came to Kathmandu in the year of 1988 with his own effort tostudy in high school where he gotthe opportunity to learn and practice martial arts (tae kwon do) from 1990
He was extremely impresed by a film about Bruce Lee's ways.
He had already taken part in many national and internation tournaments ,seminars and special trainings with various national national and international martial arts teachers in Nepal and abroad.
During his visit to Japan,Sifu thapa made a friends with sean collin in his kick boxing training club who was from America .Sean was a student of JKD so he give some idea of JKD and provided him contacts address for JKD teachers. When he returned to Nepal with further interest in JKD , he moved to India in 2005 to do a basic course withadvance from Jeet Kune Do Association ,America.
Sifu thapa then went to Thailand in2006 to acquire more practice and took part in the 1st Bankok Cup Tournament with senior instructors mr. Hikmat Bahadur Thapa and Mr.Deependra Shrestha .Sifu Thapa's honorable teacher Dr.C. Gigante McBaine come to Nepal to provide a seven weeks Instructors training.Dr.McBaine certified 18 instructors aand provided sifu thapa's with an official certificate to open JKD martial arts schools in Nepal for the first time (country affiliation). Soonafter,Sifu thapa opened Jeet Kune Do officially in Nepal and opened the first "Jeet Kune Do club"at his resident home inDhapasi ,Kathamndu which become the headquaters of this country.Sifu thapa then formed a working committee under his presidency .In 2007,between august 20-25,sifu thapa returned to Thailand to take part in the workshop and international refree seminar of JKD accompanied bysenior instructor Mr.Nirmal Kumar Giri .The seminar was hosted by Dr. McBaine and grand Master Bernd Hoehle ,founder of Martial arts association -International and hisinstructor sensai denis.Sifu thapa gained certification for a refree license and a gold medal from Bernd Hoehle.
In 2008 ,the Nepal Jeet Kune Do Club upgraded its status to "Nepal Jeet Kune Do Martial Art Association "(NJKDMAA)and expanded with branches in different parts of the country in order to give real jeet kune do training to the people of Nepal.This organization has held many national and international championships,seminars and workshops,refree training, and training of trainers asa welll as organizing free health camps.
In 2009,Sifu thapa organized an international seminar and workshop in Nepal with grand master Bernd Hoehle and sensai Denis.Sifu thapa was awarded the great title of Doctor,Professor and Master in Martialarts science.
Later,Sifu thapa then invited Bruce Lee's last student and original Jeet Kune Do instructor Sifu Ted Wong from America along with his instructor Sifu Joaquin Marcelo from spain.Sifu Ted Wong accepted his request and was ready to come but unfortunately fell ill and was admited to Hospital,there fore only Sifu Marcelo could come and gave a two days seminar on JKD in 2009.
Sifu Ted Wong had promised to visit Nepal next year, but unfortunately passed away in 2010 .Sifu Marcelo visited once more and held a 2nd seminar and workshopfor two days between febrruary 10-february 11 in 2012 in kathmandu .Sifu Marcelo came a week in advance and provided Sifu thapa with two days private training .Sifu Marcelo has remained committed to developing JKD in Nepal and NJKDMAA would like to honor special thanks to him.