Unique Fitness and Martial Arts

involved in Martial arts for 50 years now and is a 10th degree Grand Master in Filipino Martial Arts. It is with all of our contacts that we at Unique Martial Arts are able to offer the real deal when it comes to training. In 2012 Grand Maestro Greg Henderson was made Vice President of the World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF)

History of Grand Maestro Greg Henderson

Henderson's Diamondback Eskrima was founded by Grand Maestro Greg Henderson whom has been involved in Filipino martial arts (FMA) for over 49 years. As one of the founding member of WEKAF ( World Kali Eskrima Federation), he is also known as the 'Father of Filipino Martial Arts in New Zealand'. The list of instructors whom he has the opportunity to train with are impressive and frequently named as the who's who in the FMA world. He was also the only Westerner to ever been accepted as an indoor disciple of GM Eulogio "Yoling" Canete, the founding member of Labangon Fencing Club and the now famous Doce Pares whom he was the President from 1932 to his passing away in 1988. Grand Maestro Greg also trained with GM Abner Pasa, the successor of GM Eulogio Canete's Larga Mano system whom was gracious to allow Maestro Greg to live and train full time with him to complete his study of Eulogio's system. GM Abner Pasa is also the founder of Warrior Eskrima ( represented outside the Philippines by G**o Krishna Godhania) and his own personal system of Balitok Eskrima. Among other instructors that Grand Maestro Greg have trained with are (but not limited to, as 50+ years is a long time!!!!!)
• SGM Ernesto Berdin (Magkuno Diamondback Eskrima)
• GM Filemon "Momoy" Canete ( San Miguel Eskrima/Doce Pares)
• GM Ciriaco "Cacoy" Canete ( Doce Pares)
• GM Diniosio "Diony" Canete (Doce Pares)
• GM Vincente "Inting" Carin ( Carin Eskrima)
• GM Idring Casio ( Doce Pares)
• GM Winnie Dela Rosa ( Balintawak System)
• GM Liborio Heyrosa ( Balintawak System)
• GM Teofilo Velez ( Balintawak System)
• GM Filemon Caburnay ( Lapunti Arnis De Abanico)
• GM Timoteo Maranga ( Tres Puntas)
• GM Antonio "Tatang" Ilustrisimo ( Kali Ilustrisimo)
• GM Benjamin Luna Lema ( Lightning Scientific Arnis)
• Maestro Sonny Umpad ( Visayan Corto Kadena)
• GM Joseph Siregar (Silat)
• Alex Henderson (GM Greg's grandfather and first teacher) - AMARH Eskrima
• GM Andrew Fleming ( Combat Judo/Jujutsu - who was instrumental in introducing Judo into Australia)

Currently, GM Greg teaches privately to a dedicated group of private students whom train in his backyard. They are being groomed to be future instructors. Most of his students are either experienced martial artist from other diciplines or instructors in their own right. Henderson's Diamondback Eskrima is characterised by its simple no nonsense approach devoid of the flowery movements associated with some other FMA systems. The system was also influenced by GM Greg's real life experience working in the security industry around the world and this has significant on the system. Impressed with the concept of Henderson's Diamondback Eskrima Maestro Sonny Umpad ( Founder of Visayan Corto Kadena System) incorporates Diamondback's UMA pendulum concept into his art. In turn, Maestro Greg Henderson also adapted the inside line concept and training from Corto Kadena style. Grand Maestro Greg rates Maestro Sonny Umpad as one of his best friends during his tenure in USA and they frequently discuss and exchange ideas on FMA. Grand Maestro Greg Henderson has had the opportunity to teach and conduct seminars in many countries including Philippines, USA, UK, Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, China, Singapore HongKong, Australia and New Zealand.