Uli Weidle from Reutlingen is the first European to be awarded the rank of Tuhon (Senior Master) in the Pekiti Tirsia Kali system. This makes him the most experienced representative of this Filipino martial art in Europe. Uli Weidle is an internationally recognised expert in self-defence and has been a close combat instructor and consultant for commando units and BOS (public safety organisations) for 20 years. He is also the Guardian Tuhon (Punong Bantay Tuhon) of the Armadong Kali System. 

Main stations on the martial arts path

Since the age of 10, Uli Weidle has been intensively involved in martial arts and self-defence. He trained with teachers in Germany, the USA, Hong Kong and the Philippines. His martial arts path led him from Karate, Boxing and Ving Tsun to the Filipino martial arts Pekiti Tirsia Kali and Armadong Kali, in which he now specialises.

First European private student of Grandmaster Grand Tuhon Leo T. Gaje

Uli learned Pekiti Tirsia Kali first in New York, USA and then in the country of origin, the Philippines. Over a period of 20 years and 40 longer training trips to the Philippines, he learned directly from the Philippine Grandmaster and style keeper of this martial art as a personal student. Grand Tuhon Leo Gaje also connected Uli Weidle with other Filipino martial arts luminaries, including Master Fortunato Basco, Master Olavides, and Master Kolimbo, as well as instructors from Presidential Close In Security (the agency responsible for the security of the Philippine President) and other experts.

In 2011, after more than 20 years of consistent and diligent study, Grand Tuhon Gaje awarded Uli the rank of Tuhon in the Pekiti Tirsia system. A rare honour at that time. Uli is the first Tuhon of Pekiti Tirsia in Europe.

Grand Tuhon Gaje gave Tuhon Uli the chance to learn and train with leading Filipino martial arts masters and weapon experts from other systems of Filipino Martial Arts. During his visits to the Philippines, Tuhon Uli Weidle has been training the elite Force Recon unit of the Filipino Marines, the Intelligence Group of the Philippine National Police and the Security Group of the President of the Philippines.

In Europe, Uli Weidle is a training consultant for military commandos and police SWAT/task forces from various countries. He has been training some of them for more than 15 years. Uli teaches self-defence, fitness and hilot to civilians of all ages. He also runs leadership development and conflict solution training programmes for the upper management, executives and the CEOs of international companies.

On his 50th birthday in March 2016, Uli assumed Emeritus status, passing on the responsibility and leadership of Pekiti Tirsia Europe to the next generation of instructors.

The Pekiti Tirsia Europe Council has retained Tuhon Emeritus Uli as a trainer and consultant for Pekiti Tirsia Europe. Uli is conducting seminars and workshops in many places in Europe and teaches weekly classes in the Kampfkunstzentrum (martial arts centre) in Reutlingen.

In March 2018, on the occasion of his 52nd birthday, Tuhon Emeritus Uli announced the formation of the Armadong Kali Society, a martial arts organisation open to the public.