DATU RICH ACOSTA

Datu Rich Acosta is the Chief Instructor of Kuntaw Kali Kruzada. He has more than 20-years experience in the martial arts including Kali-Arnis-Eskrima, Kuntaw, Jujutsu, Judo, Karate and Aikido under Maestro Rico Acosta. He has also received private training in the Philippines under some of the foremost experts of the Filipino martial arts such as Grandmaster Vicente Sanchez (Kali Arnis International), Grandmaster Samuel Bambit Dulay (IMAFP Modern Arnis) and Grandmaster Jose G. Mena (Doblete Rapelon), as well as in the U.S. under Mataw Guro Louelle Lledo (Amara Arkanis).

He has been teaching Kuntaw Kali Kruzada in New York City since 1996. In 2005 Datu Rich received separate promotions to the rank of Master by both Maestro Rico Acosta and Grandmaster Vicente Sanchez (Kali Arnis Intl.). He hosted the 2008 and 2009 East Coast FMA Gatherings in NYC which featured several masters.

Datu Rich was featured in a New York Times article on the martial arts in April 16, 2009, and he was inducted into the UFMA Hall of Fame in 2010. He has written numerous articles on the Filipino martial arts, and is currently producing a video and book on the Kuntaw Kali Kruzada system.

Datu Rich Acosta is actively teaching group classes in NYC and NJ, as well as workshops, Instructor training programs and seminars in the tri-state area.

Current rank: Datu / 7th degree Master Instructor - Kuntaw Kali Kruzada

Additional Ranks:

• Kali Arnis International - Master / Punong Guro under GM Vicente Sanchez
• IMAFP Modern Arnis - Instructor / Guro under GM Bambit Dulay
• Doblete Rapelon - Instructor / Guro under GM Jose G. Mena
• COMJUKAI (Combat Judo Karate Aikido) - Nidan / Sensei under Maestro Rico Acosta

Current affiliations (alphabetic order):

International Modern Arnis Federation Philippines
Kali Arnis International
Philippine Council of Kali Escrima Arnis Masters
Sword Stick Society
United Fellowship of Martial Artists


Maestro Rico Acosta and Datu Rich Acosta


Guro Nagen, Grand Master Bambit Dulay and Datu Rich
- Mandaluyong, Manila

grandmaster jose mena
Datu Rich and Grandmaster Jose Mena
- Luneta Park, Manila


Datu Rich Acosta and Grandmaster Vicente Sanchez
- Green Hills, Manila


Datu Rich Acosta and Grandmaster Vicente Sanchez
- Shangrila hotel, Manila