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For More Information Contact:

UK Wing Chun Kung Fu Assoc HQ , Lubards Farm, Hullbridge Road, Rayleigh, Essex
SS6 9QG

Tel/Fax: +44 (0) 1268 78-68-68 Cellphone: +44 (0) 7860 276923

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Below you will find information on what has been happening recently within the Association. We will also mention some upcoming events too.

SUMMER CAMP 2008

May 3rd, 4th & 5th.

Three days of solid training over the first May Bank Holiday. To be held in the West Midlands. May 3rd 4th & 5th. This is a tremendous event and a welcome return afer a few years off. Open to all Wing Chun practitioners. For further information e-mail us here

info@ukwingchun.com

or Call 07967 308323

VENUE DETAILS HERE

Feb 08: Sifu Abid Mahmood becomes the 2007 'Instructor of the Year'.

MASTER WAN KAM LEUNG

SEMINAR

Sunday 24th February 2008

The great Hong Kong based Wing Chun Master is coming to the UK to teach his unique and practical approach to the art. You will be able to experience on the of the most amiable and able Wing Chun practitioners availble. He has a remarkable insight into the practical application based not on theory but tried and tested application and his own considerable research.

The seminar will run from 2-6pm and your investment is only £50 per person. Instructors train free if they bring students to attend.

Barking Abbey Leisure Centre

Woodbridge Road

Barking

Essex IG11 9ET

 

To reserve your place email us HERE now! or simply send a cheque made payable to UKWCKFA

and send to

UK Wing Chun Assoc Heaquarters

Unit 4 The Planks

Lubards Farm

Hullbridge Road

Rayleigh

Essex SS6 9QG

When we receive your payment we will reply (please include an e-mail for speed and cost effeciency) and confirm your place. Please note that you are not giving money to the UKWKFA, we are acting as an intermediary..

 

 

Wan Kam Leung Interview - By Pui Yee and Ivan Heretynski

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q Can you tell a bit about yourself and your early history?

Sifu WKL: This year I will be 63 years old. I was born in a village near Hong Kong called Po On village. It is a very small village. Around 1958/59, when I was a teenager, I moved to Hong Kong. Since my earliest childhood I had interest in Kung Fu, even when I moved to Hong Kong. I went to see a lot of Kung Fu styles and as it happened, my brother introduced me to Wing Chun which I have practiced and taught until this day.

Q When did you start training Kung Fu? Did you train other styles before Wing Chun?

Sifu WKL: As I said previously, I was very interested in Kung fu, so I had to check out various styles, imitating the movements and even practicing them, but I was very young back then. As it happened, after I started training Wing Chun, I was convinced that this is the style that suits me most, so I focused on learning and practicing this boxing style.

Q Who did you learn Wing Chun from?

Sifu WKL: Actually, when I moved to Hong Kong in 1958/59, my first Sifu was not Wong Shun Leung but Leung Sheung. I learned from him around half a year. When my Si-Fu Wong Shun Leung opened his school I was the first to join the school, hence I belong to the first generation of Wong Shun Leung’s students. In fact, when I wanted to sign up for a membership, his school was not opened yet. He had only put up his Wing Chun sign but the school had not opened yet. Si-Fu then told me to come back in a month when he would open his school, which I did on the very first day it opened – this is why I am one of his most senior students.

Q How long did you learn from Wong Shun Leung?

Sifu WKL: I started training with him from the 60’s to the 80’s until I graduated and got my certificate - after which I spent a little less time at his school. I remember when people came to the school to challenge or talk about Kung Fu I was always interested in taking the challenges, or my Si-Fu would send me out to represent him in numerous challenge fights on a no. of occasions.

Q When did you start to only teach Wing Chun?

Sifu WKL: I often went to Si-Fus school and helped teaching or listening to Si-Fu until I started to teach Wing Chun part time. In the beginning it was only a part time job, not full time, and first when I got a lot of students I started teaching full time. Actually, my full time teaching in Wing Chun started in 1994 when I started to teach the police G4 unit.

Q What is your vision of Wing Chun? And can you explain the practical aspect of Wing Chun?

Sifu WKL: Why did I call my style Practical Wing Chun? Well, I compared the Wing Chun I have learned from my Si-Fu with other styles and tested it and understood what was good in Wing Chun and what could be changed to further improve the practicability of the style. In this period I changed what I did not think was good or could not be applied, because I liked to exchange experience with other styles and when I trained with these people I saw the benefits and disadvantage of Wing Chun. So what I learned from my Si-Fu, I trained a lot, analyzed it and trained with other styles in order to compare it. So I changed what I found suitable. Like my Si-Fu - what he taught in the beginning was not the same as in the end. He had also made changes and modifications to his boxing style. He told me himself that when you have had contact with Kung Fu for a long time, the more you have taught Wing Chun, you can not but make changes in it. These words I remember from my Si-fu and I find this very true today.

Q What is the difference between Wing Chun and other styles?

Sifu WKL: Some parts of the Wing Chun style are very useful, while others are not ideally suited to certain situations. All styles have their benefits and disadvantage. Say, Wing Chun can be used with great effect when you only have small space or fight at close range. Like the predecessors, when they exchanged skills it was on a very small platform. So back then you could not step too much backwards, so the platform made you have to keep a close distance. So the chances for winning you have to be fast and have good Kung Fu skills. Also, the three forms of Wing Chun boxing, Siu Lim Tao, Cham Kiu and Biu Ji, all have specific advantages and disadvantages, so is up to you to use them correctly. If you compare Wing Chun with other styles, you can say that Wing Chun is fast and the theory makes sense, for example talking about centerline, angle and speed. This is all benefits in Wing Chun. Actually, there are many things in Wing Chun that are worth noticing, but many Wing Chun practicioners don’t realize this: Chinese people say that hand techniques that follow ‘siin siu hou da’ (first defend and then attack) are not very good techniques. Liin siu dai da (defend and attack same time) is better. But the fastest is ‘Siin da hou siu’ (first attack and then defend) - in my theory that is the best. So if you want to be good in Wing Chun both your hands have to be coordinated well. Like when you begin learning Siu Lim Tao, you start training with one hand and when you get better you start making two different movements at the same time. When you start feeling coordination between the arms is good and you apply it with speed, it is much easier to react when the opponent launches attacks and to counterattack.

Q What is the most important theory or what do we have to know about Wing Chun?

Sifu WKL: In Practical Wing Chun my personal view is that first you have to see if you launch your punch correctly. This is very important. You have to know that Wing Chun is about angles and centerlines. In my view there are 5 centerlines and if you can master these, then it will be very useful for you and you will be more fast and precise.

Q Can you tell about some misunderstandings in Wing Chun?

Sifu WKL: Actually everyone has their own understanding of Kung Fu. I can not say that people make mistakes - it is only because everyone does it differently. They all have their theory and explanation. Like three people training with three different masters. Their style will not be the same, not even from one master when the style is transmitted for generations, the style will also change. And Kung Fu is not something you can just copy. You have to look at the individuals, how talented they are, how much knowledge the have gained and how they understand Kung Fu. So of course when the individuals practice their style, there will be some differences. It depends on what level your Kung Fu skills is, how much you actually spent training, how much you have analyzed and compared it with other styles. If you exchange skills with others very often, you will improve faster, but if you only learn and remember and never try it you will not improve, and your skill will not be that good and you can not use your techniques very naturally.

Q Can you use 3 words to represent Wing Chun?

Sifu WKL: If I should use 3 words to represent Practical Wing Chun it will: Learn more, train more and understand more Q: Can you tell something about Chi sau Sifu WKL: Actually you can use the techniques from the three forms in Chi sau. Then it depends on whether your style makes sense or not. Do your explanations live up to scrutiny and analysis? How do you apply your techniques? Finally, chi sau is about the feeling, reaction and changing. It is very important and also the centerline and angles.

Q Is Wing Chun good for your health?

Sifu WKL: Every form of exercise is good for your health, but it can also be bad. It depends on how you train it. As every sportsperson knows, if you overtrain, it will be bad for you. But if you know how to control it, of course exercise is good for your health. The benefit of Wing Chun is not to let you go into a ring and win a trophy to let other people admire it. When you train Wing Chun you have to know what you want, for instance like me, when I train Wing Chun, I have to be able to not let people attack me, I have to be able to protect myself and the people around me. Under these circumstances I have to make fast decisions and protect myself in the best way. This is very important.

Q How can we use Wing Chun techniques in a real fighting?

Sifu WKL: If it is in a narrow place, at close range, you can really use the speed in Wing Chun and your punches will be faster than your opponent’s, because in your everyday training, you specialize on that. So that is why you can react really fast and make a counterattack really fast also.

Q What are the links between Wing Chun and Philosophy?

Sifu WKL: You have to know what Wing Chun gives you so that no matter what you do, you have understanding, reaction and reason. Also, if you are a lazy person and start training Wing Chun you will be more active. In everyday life it can help you a lot because you have more understanding of things you do and you react better. Say you are a clumsy person, Wing Chun can really benefit you to be more aware. And when you are in danger, Wing Chun can help you react in the dangerous situation and give you more confidence.

Q What do you think about the success in Wing Chun these last years?

Sifu WKL: Wing Chun has become very successful over the years. If you have to look at the success you have to look at the past. My opinion is that nowadays there are two different Chinese martial arts that are most successful. One is Tai Chi and the other is Wing Chun. So you can say that Wing Chun is very successful. The popularity of Wing Chun all around the globe can be attributed to three persons, everyone practising Wing Chun should know them: The first one is Bruce Lee. He was able to show Chinese martial arts in his movies and let people know about Wing Chun. The second one is my Si-Fu Wong Shun Leung. His nickname was King of talking hands. Why was his nickname that? It is because he often compared his style with others and exchanged skills with other styles. So he really represented Wing Chun. As an example, in the 80s he represented Wing Chun in Beijing, and Beijing recognized that Wing Chun was a good style because of Si-Fu, so his contribution to Wing Chun is big. The third person who spread the system after Bruce Lee popularized it is Si-fu Leung Ting. He spread the system to all over the world and - in Europe he started there much earlier than many Sifus. That is why he contributed to spread the name Wing Chun to all over the world. That is why I think these people deserve respect for what they have contributed

Q Can you say something that western people who practise Wing Chun should know?

Sifu WKL: You have to know that the three forms in Wing Chun contain a lot of things: contact at close distance, how to keep the distance and change directions. Wing Chun contains all this, so it depends on your own physical building to use what techniques that fits you most. F.i. if you are very tall and you are in a close distance, your ‘fan-sau’ (follow up hands) aren’t faster than the small guy. But when you are smaller than the other guy, the length of your arms are shorter, so you are at a disadvantage when you are out of your range. Wing Chun deals with all of these issues. So it is up to you to how much you learn. How much you practise and discipline you have and how much you go and understand Wing Chun. Actually, Wing Chun talks about theory and philosophy. Wing Chun is a woman. Women can not use force again force with a man, so when you are woman you have to use your cleverness, reaction, borrow force, use the feeling instead of using force against force. Because a man will always be stronger, that is why a woman has to borrow the force. Try this: Let a man hold his fist very tight and you realize you don’t have to use force to move his arm away. Then you understand you don’t need to use force against force. This is a very special thing in Wing Chun.

Q Are there questions you think I forgot to ask you

Sifu WKL: I think Wing Chun has developed very well in the Western World, that is a fact. This is because there is something we can all learn from, because when Western people train, they do it more seriously, they have greater discipline and really want to understand more. That is what Chinese people can learn from. Even though Wing Chun is Chinese, but why do people all over the world practise it? This is because people understand the benefits of Wing Chun. That is why we should all train and analyze more, so we will all improve. All kung fu practicioners have their own idea of Kung fu and their own way to analyze it and all people can learn Wing Chun. There is a saying in Chinese: don’t be afraid you can’t learn it, just be afraid that you are too lazy to learn it. If you want to train, you will learn it. If you want to learn it you will understand it

 

 

 

Course for children starts Monday 13th August - Friday 20th August.

Instructor: Nick Matin Sifu (CRB Checked)

Hong Kong Registered Teacher

DRAGON BOAT RACING

The UK WIng Chun Assoc team on their way to a hard earned victory

On the 15th July 2007 a number of the UK Wing Chun Assoc members took a trip to the Great Ouse in Cambridgeshire to take part in a Dragon Boat Race Festival. Despite some atrocious rainstorms a great day was had and the team came in 9th place overall with a good victory in the 2nd race which bolstered spirits. Our victory was down to Taylor Brown who managed to keep the team in good order with his drumming, he became a hard taskmaster though!

The UK Wing Chun Inaugural Dragon Boat TeamThere was only a few hundredths of a second separating all the teams and the everyone were certainly keen to compete next year.

Special thanks to everyone who took part and especially those roped in a the last moment.

If any member wishes to take part next Summer then please keep us informed.

.

Nick Martin takes the event all too seriously!!

 

 

SIU NIM TAO GRADING Pt 2

On 31st May 2007 a number of the National HQ students took the 2nd Part of their Siu Nim Tao level grading. This is the 4th grade in the UKWCKFA syllabus and successful candidates may apply to join the instructor training programme, which is a minimum 3 year course leading eventually to the much revered Sifu status. Well done to all the students, a great club spirit. Now to mover ever onwards.......

The students prepared for 3 months solid for this grading. Their efforts proved worthwhile.

L-R Kevin Cutts, Roy Butcher, John Middleton, Kirk Singh, Lewis Godier, (J Sinclair), Alban McLawrence, Phil Shankster, Vladimir Pyatkin, John Lodge, Paul Bates, Robert Millo.

Kneeling - Gillian Paskins, Luke Hillier, Luke Bevan.

Phil Shankster National HQ 87% Distinction Pass
Luke Bevan National HQ 83% Distinction Pass
Lewis Godier National HQ 82% Distinction Pass
Paul Bates National HQ 82% Distinction Pass
Alban McLawrence Ilford - Lee Green 81% Distinction Pass
Robert Millo National HQ 78%  
Kevin Cutts National HQ 78%  
Roy Butcher National HQ 78%  
John Lodge National HQ 76%  
Luke Hillier National HQ 76%  
John Middleton National HQ 75%  
Vladimir Pyatkin National HQ 74%  
Kirk Singh Ilford 73%  
Gillian Paskins National HQ 71%  

Nick Martin Sifu assistedin the students preparation during his Saturday morning class.

Special thanks have to go to Nick Martin Sifu who took special time out to teach the students in preparation for this grading. His general classes on Saturday mornings, and his popular seminar series concluded his efforts with some great results. Special mention has to go to Phil Shankster who impressed everyone with his skills, manner and rapid improvement.

21st Anniversary DVD

4 hour dual layer dvd (6 films divided into chapters) released now. Lots of interviews, demos with archive and recent footage. The DVD is divided into the following Films

Demo's ~ Footage of the 21st Anniversary demos, featuring some exciting fight sequences, weapons and forms.

Interviews ~ with Abid Mahmood, Eric Wilson, Nick Martin, Matt Tucker, Ashley Phillips, Gary Cooper, Tony Jaywant, John Cossentine, Mark Solomons, & Paul Spencer. Hear their views on Wing Chun, what motivates them to keep training and enjoy footage of them in action.

Sifu Mark Phillips ~ Enjoy this detailed profile and see the 'Evolution of a Master' as Sifu talkes candidly about his journey, his experience in Hong Kong and so Much more. Rare achive footage of Sifu in his early days, sparring and competing and grappling. A must see!!!

Seminars ~ Enjoy the three seminars featured by Abid Mahmood Sifu (Back to Wall), Eric Wilson (Guard Skills) and Matt Tucker (Dog Brothers Knife Skills). Plus as a extra there is Archive from the 1980 of some Sifu's now retired teaching a multi skill seminar in Essex.

James Sinclair ~ Shot live at the conference, James just 'Wing's' it with a great introduction to leg skills in the art. Unable to set anything, James just does what he does best, teach and enjoy Wing Chun!

Garry McKenzie Sifu ~ Salaams from Gary Mckenzie Sifu the Chief Instructor of The Wing Chun School. Here he talks openly of his past and some of the history of James Sinclair....

Grand Master Wan Kam Leung

Grand Master Chau-Lin-Fat In November '06 James Sinclair, Mark Phillips Sifu and Nick Martin Sifu visited Hong Kong for a few days. The trip was packed with many Masters to visit and a lot of information to be shared. Once again the Masters were totally open, sharing their experience and complimenting James and his students on their fighting ability. It does appear that the transition from forms to fighting is what most impressed them. Master Fung Man

The team met Wan Kam Leung Sifu, Fung Man Sifu, Donald Mak Sifu, Chau Lin Fat Sifu, Ip Ching Sifu and Ip Chun Sifu in the space of 5 days.

 

The UKWCKFA had the privilage of passing on their own experience and teaching a number of students in Hong Kong, and have been invited back again with the specific task of teaching Wing Chun in Hong Kong!

Master Donald Mak

One of the strangely enjoyable times was spending time high above the bustling streets of Kowloon on a rooftop. It was the kind of place the famed 'Gong Sau Wong' (Wong Sheung Leung) made his name and furthered the reputation of Wing Chun. Nick and Mark took the photo opportunity that bit further by perching themselves precariously 6 floors up on a rather flimsy wall. Great shots, however! There was also some great chi sau and shadow sparring footage filmed, with Mark Phillips Sifu moving powerfully and artistically and Nick Martin Sifu shadow sparing whilst on top of the wall showing great balance and quite a bit of courage. This footage can be seen on the 21st Anniversary DVD in their respective profiles!

Sifu Phillips and Sifu Martin train over 100 ft up on a Hong Kong rooftop wallThere were a number of students and instructors in Hong Kong who wanted to touch hands. Both Sifu Nick and Sifu Mark held themselves very well, displaying great skill and control even when things got a little hectic!

As stated earlier James, Mark and Nick have been asked to visit Hong kong again, and to "please stay longer" in order that they can teach and share their unique experiences with the new generation of students.

6 floors up on a 'Gong Sau' rooftop.

 

 

 

VTAA HQ instructor under Ip Chun Si-Gung

 

 

 

 

Click here to read the November 06 Interview.

James Sinclair also featured in the November 2006 issue of Martial Arts Illustrated. To read the full interview simply click on the image above. 

James Sinclair Oct 2006 Issue. To read the interview click here.

James Sinclair featured in the October 2006 issue of Martial Arts Illustrated. To read the full interview simply click on the image above. 

MASTER MORIO HIGAONNA

GOJU RYU KARATE LEGEND

On July 30th 2006 Master Sinclair met one of the few martial artists he had always hoped to meet. Master Morio Higaonna.

This came about due to the kind invitation of Terry Wingrove, Len Davies and Sam Judah. James was a young and impressionable man when he first saw Sensei Higaonna in the BBC documentary series 'Way of the Warrior'. James was inspired by the attitude and sheer work ethic of the Master.

Meeting Master Higaonna exceeded James' expectations. His kind manner and humility bely the true Warrior Nature within. Master Higaonna took the time to write a very peronal message to James in his book on the history of karate.

James was surprised how much Goju Ryu Karate resembled much of the Southern Chinese Kung Fu he had seen. It transpired that Guju Ryu has its roots in Southern China and added to this is the Okinawan heritage, Sensei Higaonna stated that he liked Wing Chun and was proud of the Chinese roots of his art. Much like the saying to never forget the source when you drink form the cup.

James finally meets Master Higaonna, one of the people who most inspired his martial journey. The balck eye was from someone else!

Sensei Morio Higaonna a true Master .

Sensei Terry Wingrove a British Martial Art Legend.

MASTER DONALD MAK

Follwing the UKWCKFA's sucessful trip to Hong Kong in November 2005, it was a pleasure to meet up once again with Anatoly Boloshchin from Moscow and his Si-Fu, Donald Mak. We had a meal together in London's Chinatown and enjoyed some good conversation with Si-Fu Mak clearing up some historical points and exchanging other interesting information. It was good to meet a gentleman who is not concerned with the politics and can simply talk about Wing Chun with passion and honesty. We hope our links to both Russia and Hong Kong can continue.

L-R... Mark Phillips, James Sinclair , Anatoly Beloshchin, & Master Donald Mak

Steve Smith: 'Student of the Year 2005'

'Student of the Year' 2005 went to Steve Smith of the Rayleigh HQ. Steve was a particullarly hard working student through 2005 and sucessfully passed his Siu Nim Tao grading. Steve has always been a hard worker but also displays other qulaities which we value. Despite his own love of hard training Steve will always help and has inspired a few studetns to follow his lead in accepting the challenge of our grading syllabus. Steve is not on our teacher training programme but he is the kind of individual that would be an asset to the UKWCKFA. Congratualtions Steve!

Ving Tsun Athletic Assoc. 2nd World Conference Hong Kong & China November 2005

Hong Kong Nov 2005

18th August 2005

Sifu Mark Phillips was seen on GMTV teaching former 'Blue' singer Simon Webb. It seems Simon is fascinated by Martial Arts and is particularly interested in WIng Chun. As you can see he thoroughly enjoyed his time at the North London HQ.

Former singer in the boy band 'BLUE' enjoying his Wing Chun with Sifu Mark Phillips

 

Front cover of Wing Chun Wallbag Training DVD DVD Label

WALLBAG TRAINING VIDEO / DVD

£25 + £2. p&p

OUT NOW! CLICK HERE

The Wing Chun Wallbag Taining Video/DVD is available now. Previews have been very well received. Running for approx. 117minutes, Master Sinclair, Sifu Mark Phillips and the UKWCKFA teachers take you on a detailed journey of instruction in developing the tools that EVERY martial artist requires. Special focus on short distance power, rolling punches and some training scenarios.

Divided into 47 chapters for ease of study.

James Sinclair & Guru Steve Benitez

Guru Steve Benitez

Pencak Silat Seminar

This seminar is now confirmed and is to be conducted on Sunday 3rd October 2-6pm 2004 by Guru Steve Benitez.

This seminar left everyone enthralled as Guru Benitez and his talented students introduced the history, the theory and culture behind this remarkable martial art.

Book early as space is limited.

 

Master Sinclair and the legend that is Rickson Gracie. LA 2004

James Sinclair and Rickson Gracie LA 2004

In September 2004 James Sinclair, Nick Martin and Lee Catling headed off to Los Angeles to get in some great grondwork training. The highlight was training at the Rickson Gracie school training in both with and without Gi classes. More to follow.

Saturday 14th August 11am

Sam, Erik Paulson & James Sinclair

For the last twenty-four years, Erik Paulson has studied the art of grappling. Having gained world-wide fame competing in many pay-per-view, no-holds-barred tournaments, he is now undefeated in Japan where he is the World Light-Heavyweight Shootwrestling Champion

Furthermore, Mr. Paulson has spent the last decade training under such noted instructors as the Machado Brothers, Rickson Gracie, Larry Hartsell, Yorinaga Nakamura, Gene Lebell and the legendary Guro Dan Inosanto.

Erik's system blends Judo, Freestyle Wrestling and Greco-Roman Wrestling with techniques and submissions from Shootwrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Sambo and Catchascatchcan. Erik is famous for his unbelievable repertoire of submission holds and is recognized as a virtual encyclopedia of leg locks.

In addition to his skill as a fighter, Erik's reputation as an outstanding grappling instructor make him extremely in-demand for both National and International seminars.

ERIC PAULSON

On Saturday 14th August World Shoot Wrestling Champion ERIC PAULSON will be coming to the UK Wing Chun Assoc. HQ. Eric will be covering the clinch, a particular area of interest to all Wing Chun practitioners.

Eric Paulson is recognised as one of the most talented instructors on the Seminar Circuit. He has stong links to Guru Dan Inosanto and Rick Young and this is a great opportunity to get some great insights from someone who has truly 'been there and done it'. What makes this a very special opportunity is the intimacy of our small HQ means that numbers must be limited.

Don't miss out on this chance.

 

 

Sifu Ian Evens

Here we go again.... On Sunday 25th April 2004, Sifu Ian Evens will be conducting a second tumbling seminar for those students who are young at heart! With the coaching skills of the former Great Britain gymnastics team coach, and current Welsh team coach, Eddie Van Hoof, they will be helping students to learn backflips, sommersaults, cartwheels, arab springs etc. The event is to be held at the purpose built Essex Gymnastic School, Cranes Farm Road, Basildon from 2-5pm. With safety harnesses, trampolines, springboards etc. there should be nothing to hold anyone back.

This course will develop your spatial awareness, ground orientation, and balance. There will be a discussion on correct stretching and so much more to help the budding martial artist. The event is only £15. Call 07860 276923 for details and to book your place.

Grappling Competition

As most of you are now aware Lee Catling and Darren Little teach groundwork/Jui Jitsu and Judo at our Essex HQ. Darren recently won a Silver medal in the British Judo Championships, a very prestigious event. Darren and Lee have been working the ground skills with our Wing Chun students since the first Rick Young Seminar on March 15th 2003.

On Sunday 20th March 2004 a team of our students entered a local grappling competition and managed to win Gold and Siver in Middleweight and Gold and SIlver in the Heavyweight divisions. Although only a local competition it was a worthy effort and has spurred the students on to more challenges on the floor. With a 'nothing to lose, and everything to learn' attitude,they will always enjoy the events and will continue to bring pride to the UK Wing Chun Association and to Progressive Combat Systems, regardless of results.

Middleweight

GOLD Nick Martin

Silver Ashley Phillips

Heavyweight

GOLD Tom Wilson

SILVER Miles Baker.

Well Done!

Photo's and full report to be found at Progressivecombat.co.uk

CALIFORNIA

From March 6th to 16th 2004, James Sinclair, Mark Phillips, Nick Martin and Lee Catling went to Los Angeles and taught Wing Chun and trained hard with some world class Grapplers........

 

Photo's and full report to follow.

BRAVO TELEVISION

Look out for the UKWCKFA on Bravo Television in the coming weeks To be a featured on the Martial Art documentary series 'Ultimate Warriors'.

 

Solid Silver or 9ct Gold Wing Chun Pendant

Guru Steve Benitez, a skilled martial artist and teacher.

Guru Steve Benitez

Pencak Silat Seminar

This seminar is to be conducted on Saturday 20th September 2-6pm 2003 by Guru Steve Benitez. He will introduce the history, the theory and culture behind this remarkable martial art. Book early as space is limited.

Rick Young, a gentleman and very skilled martial artist/teacher

Saturday July 19th, Rick Young arrived to teach another fantastic insight into the domain he is making his own, that of the ground fighter. The session was truly amazing with Rick taking the material to new levels. The subtlety andSuperb DVD of one of Ricks recent Seminars at the UK Wing Chun HQ simplicity of application belie the efficacy.

The event was once again caught on video and placed onto DVD. This volume is simply superb, and if you have not got this one in your collection, it would be recommended you take action to remedy that NOW! Ontach Rick Young to make your order....

Just a few weeks after this seminar was filmed, Rick went on to win the World Jui Jitsu title in Brazil for his weight category and a bronze medal in the Open weight. He was also awarded a Brown Belt by Mauricio Gomez and is the highest ranked Brazillian Jui Jitsu practitioner in the UK. And all this could not have happened to a nicer human being. A World Champion with true humilty is a rare quality.

Rick explains the skills of breaking a defence from an attempted Arm BarPerfect 'Figure of Four' KimuraUsing the opponents t-shirt Rick ties his opponent up!

 

 

Sifu Ian Evens a skilled wing chun teacher and Gymnastics coach

On Sunday 20th July 2003, Sifu Ian Evens will be conducting a tumbling seminar for those students who are young at heart! With the coaching skills of the former Great Britain gymnastics team coach, Eddie Van Hoof, they will be helping students to learn backflips, sommersaults, cartwheels, arab springs etc. The event is to be held at the purpose built Essex Gymnastic School, Cranes Farm Road, Basildon from 3-6pm. With safety harnesses, trampolines, springboards etc. there should be nothing holding anyone back. This course will develop your spatial awareness, ground orientation, and balance. There will be a discussion on correct stretching and so much more to help the budding martial artist. The event is only £15.

MAI SUPER SEMINAR

On May 18th 2003 James Sinclair, Sifu Mark Philips and Sifu Nick Martin were invited by Bob Sykes of Martial Arts Illustrated to teach at the prestigious 'Super Seminar'. Along with a number of martial art teachers. They were present to conduct a one hour session on various aspects of Wing Chun.

Chris Boughey and James Sinclair at the MAI Super Seminar 2003Sifu Chris Boughey took the floor first showing various aspects of street self defence with short range explosive punches and pre-emptive stiking techniques. It was a pleasure to watch how he conducted his sessions with energy and encouragement. He is a well respected martial artist and a very pleasant man too. Most of the students present were from his own North West Chinese Kickboxing schools and they were a very decent well mannered group and helpful to those less familiar with the skills taught.

 

Next on the arena was Taekwondo Master, Mark Weir who demostrated his considerable kicking prowess. His accuracy, balance and power were remarkable. He could kick turning on a sixpence.

After the break we came on and had to wake the students up after their lunch! Never planning anything Master Master Shabbir Akhtar, third from left, with Master Sinclair, Sifu Phillips, Sifu Mahmood amongst others.Sinclair simply dealt with some blows and decided to work on finding space, creating space and truning an opponent. The material was aimed to tie in with Sifu Boughey's and gave a common theme to the session. The session was well received and as usual Master Sinclair went over time...

Next up was Master Shabbir Akhtar who extended the Wing Chun skills as he took the group through combat trapping, demonstrating the Wing Chun skills of Pak and Laap Sau. His session was wellBob Sykes, the only man who can smile while someone tries to choke them and he breaks their thumb!!! received as he controlled his opponents attempt to break free and stike. Sifu Akhtar is a very quiet and easy going man, belying his considerable martial art experience.

Last up was Guru Steve Benitez, who had everyone enthralled as he conducted an introduction to Pencak Silat. It was a beautiful demonstration of a superb art that truly encapsulates the culture of Indonesia. Guru Benitez is a remarkable martial artist but is a more remarkable and likeable man. At one point he quite literally threw himself into the air coming down head first to gently roll out as if nothing had haSteve Benitez and James Sinclair at the MAI Super Seminar 2003ppened. He is a polite, humble man, and a tiger when the need arises. His students reflect his own qualities and were a testament to his teaching.

It was also nice to meet and mingle with the many other martial artists present and see some of the 'faces' of the world. Sifu Clive Elliot was present and was a charming and quiet man, which is all the more upsetting as he is obvioulsy a great actor too from his performance on Sky One's 'Fight School'. Is there no end to his talents as he shot his way through the Silat session like a natural?Clive Elliot feels the pain as the pressure goes on!!

 

 

 

 

Rick Young Seminar

Rick Young, a gentleman and very skilled martial artist/teacherMr Young, came to the UK Wing Chun HQ on 15th March 2003. What an amiable man he is! Certainly a skilled martial artist in many styles, but a good person who carries himself with a sense of purpose and pride.

Rick treated the instructors within our Assoc. to his Ne-Waza judo ground skills. The course was designed for people with little or no knowledge of this arena and was certainly an eye opener. He covered passing the guard, or "getting past the moustrap" as Rick likes to refer to it, orienting yourself from the bottom, triangle chokes, arm locks and a good deal more. The students had a great time and Ricks martial art stories combined with his affable character made the time pass all too quickly.

The whole event was video and then edited and transferred to DVD.A superb DVD introduction to ground skill, from one of the best in the UK It is divided into 34 chapter points for ease of reference and is a great insight into the man that has taken Martial Arts by storm in the UK. To obtain your copy of this great DVD contact Rick Young HERE.

Rick Young has agreed to come down again in July to our HQ. If you wish to attend contact us ASAP.

Lee catling and Darren Little. Click here to view video of throws and takedowns.From his influence the Associaton now has daytime and evening grappling classes. These classes are run by Lee Catling and Darren Little, who both have experience in Vale Tudo, Jui Jitsu competition, boxing in ABA matches, and are black belts in Judo. These classes are superb and a great compliment to any martial artists repetoire. The public classes are run on Fridays from 7pm and Sundays from 4pm.


Television Documentary Series

The UK Wing Chun Assoc is to be featured in a television documentary series on Bravo (the Cable and Satellite Channel). The series is being produced by Granada Media. They sent a crew to in February 2003 and spent 5 hours filming an interview and various aspects of the art. They are aslo, surprisingly, going to be using some archive footage from our various training sessions.

Due to hit your screens in September 2003 the series is a veritable who's who of Martial Arts and fighting. We know they have Frank Shamrock, Benny 'The Jet' Urquidez, Cynthia Rothrock, Tito Ortiz, Roy 'Pretty Boy' Shaw and many more. The show is featuring Streetfigheters, Wrestlers, UFC, Boxing, Tai Chi, Wing Chun, Sombo, but really is working on the efficacy of martial arts.

Provisionally entitiled 'Ultimate Fighters' it will be a 14 part series shown daily for 2 weeks, off for 8 weeks then shown again and off for 8 weeks and shown for a third time..... hope you enjoy.

 

 

 


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