Abdul-Hadi Winder
- First (Given): Abdul-Hadi
- Last (Family): Winder
- Commenly Know As: Abdul-Hadi Winder
Primary Lineage:
(Ip Man) William Cheung
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primary teacher/lineage
Teacher Name
Rank Sifu Winder Obtained
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Full Lineage:
John Clayton > Abdul-Hadi Winder
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biography (con't)
Sifu Abdul Hadi, also known as Abdul Hadi Winder, is a Baltimore-based martial artist who has built a multifaceted career in both Traditional Wing Chun Kung Fu and Western boxing. His martial arts journey took root under the mentorship of Master John Clayton, a senior disciple of Grandmaster William Cheung in the Wing Chun lineage  . Training in Traditional Wing Chun for years, Abdul Hadi progressed through the system’s ranks to achieve the 10th Level – the highest student level in Grandmaster Cheung’s lineage – marking him as a certified Wing Chun Sifu (instructor) . In parallel, he cultivated extensive experience in boxing, eventually becoming a coach and community mentor in the sport. This dual background in Chinese Kung Fu and Western boxing has come to define Abdul Hadi’s unique approach to martial arts.
Wing Chun Lineage and Connection to Masters
Abdul Hadi’s Wing Chun pedigree can be traced directly through the art’s famous Ip Man lineage. He is a third-generation student of Grandmaster William Cheung, via Master John Clayton  . Grandmaster Cheung – a disciple of Ip Man – began teaching in the United States in the early 1980s, and Master Clayton was among his top students . Under Clayton’s tutelage, Abdul Hadi learned the complete Traditional Wing Chun system, including forms, Chi Sao (sticking-hands sensitivity training), wooden dummy techniques, and weapons. This formal lineage is documented in Clayton’s academy records, where Abdul Hadi is listed as a 10th Level instructor under Master Clayton . Through this lineage, Abdul Hadi upholds the combat principles and training methods passed down from Ip Man to William Cheung, emphasizing direct efficient techniques and close-range fighting. Notably, Master Clayton regarded Grandmaster Cheung as a father figure – being described as Cheung’s “adopted son and senior most student”  – and Abdul Hadi inherits this proud heritage as one of Clayton’s accomplished protégés.
Boxing Background and Cross-Discipline Integration
In addition to his deep roots in Wing Chun, Abdul Hadi has a rich boxing background. He has trained and competed in boxing, and today he serves as the Head Boxing Coach at Corner Team, Inc., a nonprofit boxing and fitness organization in Baltimore . As a coach, he guides youth and adults in Olympic-style boxing, focusing on developing not only fighting skills but also life skills. His involvement in boxing is not separate from his kung fu; in fact, Abdul Hadi is known for integrating the two disciplines. He often applies Western boxing’s footwork, timing, and conditioning drills to complement Wing Chun’s hand techniques and centerline theories. This cross-discipline approach reflects his belief that striking arts share common principles and that a well-rounded fighter benefits from multiple perspectives. Students under Abdul Hadi learn to generate power from boxing-style body mechanics while retaining the efficient structure and trapping tactics of Wing Chun, making his teaching style very practical for real-world self-defense. By combining the explosive punches of boxing with Wing Chun’s economy of motion, Abdul Hadi’s method enhances punching power, defensive reflexes, and overall combat fitness in his students.