At nine years of age, he started his training of martial arts with Master Tino Zegni of Rapallo (Genoa), city where the Cafiero family moved to in 1976.
In 1980 the family moved to Genoa city and Salvatore started his training in Karate, Wado-ryu and
Ju Jutai Sho Rei Kan with Master Val Verde. During his first year at high school, Salvatore met a fellow Chinese student, Giorgio Wong. It was Giorgio, already student of Master Shin Dae Woung, who exposed the first steps of Kung Fu to Salvatore. Not only, he also introduced Salvatore to his Master. Because of yet another moving out of the city, Salvatore was unable to practice Kung Fu Dae Woung but his determination grew stronger day after day.
In 1982, owing to his father's job, the Cafiero family returned to south Italy where, in Naples, Salvatore starts studying Karate Shotokan under the guidance of Master Giorgio Scalpini, whereas during the weekends he studied Karate Full Contact near Benevento with Master Mario Mottola who, at the time, was European Champion of Wake and therefore instructor. But nevertheless his desire to learn Kung Fu never subsided.
In 1984 he began studying Kung Fu Shao Lin and Tai Chi Chuan with Master Stanislao Falanga with whom he opens his first school of Kung Fu in Benevento area, precisely at Cerretto Sannita, the town of his mothers' origins.
In 1986 at Stresa, he passed the exams of first Ji with Master Chang Tzu Yao (Zhang Zhou Yao) during the last big Feik massacre, stage which preluded the split between the federation caused by the discovery that Chang had modified and re-adapted the teachings and what was passed as classic Shao Lin of north China was instead a personal interpretation of Boxing of Fior di Prugno (Flower of Plum).
In 1988, during the first Italian stage of Xu Hao in Potenza (today Xu Hao has prospered in Italy), Salvatore met Master De Rosa and they immediately became friends and remained side by side until 1993. During these years, under the guidance of Master De Rosa, Salvatore approaches the study of 'Interior Art'. While staying in Thailand he becomes a student of Osvaldo Gianbenedetti Sanviti named 'Guantanamera', last Master of the Sun in Inca tradition and with whom he lives and receives experiences and teachings worthy of further discussion in another ambit.
Because of diversing points of view, his friendship with De Rosa comes to an abrupt halt so Salvatore decides to take leave and finally goes to China. After an incredible series of coincidences he gets to know one of the greatest experts of Kung Fu of Shan Dong; the Great Master Jiang Zhou Cun. This really impresses him, not only for the infinite knowledge of martial arts that this master possesses, but also the impeccable manners and deep thoughts which render him unique. March 21st 1993 signs the beginning of the Chinese adventure of Salvatore, in fact he decides to stay in China for two years and studies with both G.M. Jiang Zhou Cun and Master Xu Bo Ran, famous expert of Tang Iang Quan, learning as much as possible of the real classic Shaolin of North China, the Tang Iang Quan, Sun Bin Quan, Taijquan, Xing Yi Quan, Ba Gua Zang and Liu He Ba Fa.
Because of these encounters, Master Cafiero realises that he has arrived at the foundations of authentic Knowledge which had always been denied to him in the past and was now able to make his infant dream come true.
They are years of hard work and Master Cafiero decides to go to the university of Jinan to study Traditional Chinese Medicine, studying and practicing for fifteen hours per day without stopping.
His Chinese teacher of medicine is Dr. Guan Zhen, beholder of an antique esoteric lineage which include Buddhism and Taoism. It was Dr. Zhen who transmitted to Salvatore Alchemic Interior, Qi Gong of Shaolin, sexual alchemy, Nei Gong Tui Na, the massage of internal force and the art of piercing the vital points according to the hours of the day and the moon phases.
After a couple of months in Jakarta where he studied Pentjak Silat Harimau style, he made return to Itlay in 1996 deciding to teach and returning to China every year to update his studies. Thanks to Master Falanga in 1998 he meets Master Zhong Lian Bao who will confer him the authorization in teaching in 2000.
In 1997, thanks to Xu Bo Ran, he met Great Master Liu Cheng De, a very important figure of Taiji Chen of Hong School. A very deep and intense relationship grows between teacher and student destined to continue in its growth throughout the years because of the great admiration Salvatore has towards the words and actions of the Master.
In 2001 the Great Master Jiang Zhou Cun blesses him by a initiation ceremony and gives him the responsability of Yuanyang Men in Europe; it is still well known that the European school of Yuanyang Men founded by Master Zhou Yong Xian and Zhou Yong Fu is exclusively represented by Master Salvatore Cafiero.
The fame of Master Cafiero has grown incredibly in Italy and many notorious Masters, in full collaboration and respect, ask advice and guidance as to expand their knowledge. Master Cafiero is particularly senistive towards those students who have already studied, even at high levels, martial arts which have left them unsatisfied and are searching for a new turning in their practice, just like he himself had done.
Master Cafiero's school is open to all those who wish to share their knowledge and he truly believes in the necessity of comunion of intent so as to develop and araise the spirit of Kung Fu into prosper.
