Shifu Deru is a 31st generation Grandmaster of Shaolin Kung Fu.
He received an OMD from the Wushu Traditional Chinese School of Medicine in Anhui province, China, in 1978, and a MS in Exercise Physiology from the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama, in 1991.
He was born in China during an era of political upheaval, and he experienced extreme deprivation in early childhood, eating worms and maggots just to survive. He was rescued by Shaolin monks, who taught him their martial arts.
From 1993-2003 he served as chief referee for U.S. National and International sanshou competitions. Beginning in 1994, he became head coach of the U.S. Wushu-Kungfu Federation National Sanshou Team. Under his coaching, the team won international victories and produced 5 World Champions.