Dear members,
The tournament had a slightly smaller number of entries this year but it was very well run, judged and refereed. The students competed with courage and honour. They also showed composure, strategy and promise for better skill. We found that everyone at HQ enjoyed the tournament preparation in the two months leading up to the event.
To have better participation and standard, future competitors will be restricted to those invited by their branch chief instructor (as in our gradings). Instructors will assess the attitude, competence and fitness of the students in the build up.
Only a maximum of two students can be entered in each of the pattern divisions. They are : 1) Children (under 10 years), 2) Intermediate, 3) Advanced (purple up), 4) Black Belt. Therefore, branch pattern competitions are necessary for selection and all tournament entries will only be accepted through the branch.
Those who took part in the tournament this year have proven themself to be positive and must have benefited from the experience. We like to thank all those who helped with the event.
Tournament Results:
Children 7 yrs <30kgs:
1st: Maylin Hobson (Lincoln)
2nd: Jonny Croker (Lincoln)
Children 8-10yrs <38kgs:
1st: Peter Croker (Lincoln)
2nd: Abbie Haselden (Lincoln)
3rd: Ruby McNiven (HQ)
Children 12yrs <36kgs:
1st: Ezra Howell (HQ)
2nd: Leif McGuinniety (Lincoln)
3rd: Reuben Clarkson (HQ)
Children 12-13yrs <56kgs:
1st: Bailey Russ (Greymouth)
2nd: Emma Haselden (Lincoln)
3rd: Lucy Wills (Papanui)
Boys 14-16yrs <73kgs:
1st: Jack Lane (Nelson)
2nd: Jaelen Charman (Lincoln)
3rd: Ethan Charman (Lincoln)
Womens <50kgs:
1st: Lexi Clarkson (HQ)
2nd: Stephanie Powers (Spreydon)
Womens Open:
1st: Cora McCauley (Lower Hutt)
2nd: Evana Hardwick (Papanui)
3rd: Mairin Taylor (HQ)
Mens Intermediate <88kgs:
1st: Dougal Gilroy (Papanui)
2nd: Leo Stuart Allan (Rangiora)
3rd: Jon Palmer (Rangiora)
Mens Open:
1st: Nairn Wilson (Nelson)
2nd: Brad Turner (Hornby)
3rd: Jose Tuhoro (HQ)
Mens Advanced <86kgs:
1st: Scott Connelly (Lincoln)
2nd: Nick Scott (Papanui)
3rd: Jeremy Elrick (HQ)
Patterns Competition:
Children:
1st: Oliver Palmer (Rangiora)
2nd: Felix Ingram (HQ)
Intermediate:
1st: Anastasia Boulais (HQ)
2nd: Stephanie Powers (Spreydon)
Advanced:
1st: Jeremy Elrick (HQ)
2nd: Steve Ingram (HQ)
Black Belt:
1st: David McQueen (Rangiora)
In the Kung Fu seminars we discussed the three essential points in performing the side kick, total body balance and the advanced techniques to come. The Black Belts worked on the 2nd level pressure points techniques, energy development and close range fighting.
In Tai Chi Chuan we worked on forms, push hands and qi flow. The instructors showed good progress and would soon be ready for the introduction to free push hands.
Following our last newsletter on hips, knees and ankle injuries we have the following comments by a couple of new students who are qualified in sport and exercise science, nutrition and sports medicine:
“One thing we have observed amongst the students is the type of footwear being worn, especially in the context of some of the injuries and niggles we have been seeing and hearing about. It seems relatively common for some students to be nursing sore knees, hips and backs. Obviously there are many factors involved in the cause and aggravation of such injuries, but one that stands out to us is the shoes people are wearing.
In the student handbook, you do make mention that running shoes are not suitable, yet we see many students wearing exactly this type of shoe, including indoor training or court type shoes. Rarely do these types of footwear allow for the type of circular movements inherent in Kung Fu. Indeed, most are made for very linear (forward & back) type movements, and are constructed specifically to guard against any lateral or circular torsion. We have witnessed students wearing trail shoes with even more pronounced spikes or lugs that are specifically designed not to allow the foot to move in circular motions.
When these shoes do their job properly and limit circular motion when that is the very motion you are trying to produce, some of that torque gets transferred up the leg. The proximity of the force to the ankle joint, in conjunction with the structure of this joint, means this torque will have limited impact here. But at the knee, however, there is both more physical scope to torque the joint, as well as a much greater leverage. It becomes the ligamentous and cartilaginous structures in the knee which bear the brunt of these forces. Over time, this force stretches and weakens the joint and a final force may cause extensive damage and what might be perceived as an unlucky acute injury.
The one saving grace at HQ is the shiny and slippery concrete surface, allowing a low coefficient of friction and some degree of slip when the foot is being rotated, even in shoes which try to minimise this. But when people move to the foam mats and try to do the same circular movements, they are much more likely to stick and wrench their knee joint.
In addition to the above, we see the thick padded shock absorbing soles of such footwear working against the requirements for proper balance and proprioception in Kung Fu. The typically high heel lift of these soles push weight onto the ball of the foot rather than allowing even displacement across the whole foot. This weight forward position unloads the hip joint, pushing forces down onto the knee, as well as up into the lower spine. We notice students having issues with balance, especially on rotation, and footwear may be a factor here. The thick soles also make it difficult to feel the floor and how you are moving.”
- JS & AB
Please take note of this information and use the correct footwear to reduce stress to your joints and improve performance.
On Saturday the 18th June 2:00pm to 4:30pm we will have our annual ladies self defence seminar. It is free for all our members (please wear uniform) and the immediate family. Friends and members of public fee is $20. Please register by Thursday the 16th June.
We will have our potluck Hawaiian Party to commemorate our beloved Prof. Wally Jay. As usual we will show old videos and have a good time. All branch members are welcome to join us.
The Kids Day Out event for Canterbury has been changed to the 9th of July. Ms Alicia Harrison will be back to run it. Incidentally, Ms Harrison and Mr George Pope has started a new Winton Branch. Our best wishes for their success.
Do book your flights for Auckland Camp as soon as possible. It will be a fun event to meet all of our Auckland members and standardise our techniques. This year the advanced students should see the distinction in how we execute all our hitting techniques and understand the special way to develop the skill in close range fighting.
Finally, I have been telling some senior students at gradings and seminars this year that: many loyal and hard working people that train with us, often have their own fixed idea of what Chans Martial Arts is all about. It is best that everyone understand that we have changed out of sight from the early beginnings of Chans Martial Arts forty one years ago.
Some drills and techniques we used to practise have long been discarded as they are deemed to be ineffective or harmful to us. Even in the last five years we have changed the way we trained in many ways.
Though courage, fitness, strength and conditioning are good assets to have they are not enough to master the advanced levels of our system. We need to have good control and the correct way in executing our techniques. The reason is that our system is based on principles that will allow us to eventually develop techniques that can access the full potential of our mind and body and unless you follow the principles it will not work. You do not need super flexibility, strength or youth to achieve this. However, you need to understand, believe and train conscienciously. The higher level of knowledge and skill we seek should not be compared with what is commonly practiced. It can only be found in the highest of the rare exceptional martial arts.
Besides skill and knowledge in the system, the real motivation for the student to train or teach is very important to us. The participation, social values and conduct of the student are equally important when we consider their invitation for advanced gradings.
May Chi be with you,
SC Chan
Grandmaster
Chans Martial Arts
Coming Events
* Cant. Ladies Self Defence
18th June Sat 2pm to 4pm
Free for students and family
$20 for public
* Canterbury - TCC Ex. Grading
21st Jun Tue: 7:00pm
* Canterbury - KF Adv Grading
25th Sat
* Prof. Wally Jay’s Memorial
Hawaiian Potluck Party
25th Jun Sat 7:00pm
* Kids Day Out
9th July Sat 9am
* Sydney SOTC &
Chans KF Seminar -
9th & 10th July
* Picton & Regional
KF & TC Gradings/Seminars
30th & 31st July Sat & Sun
*Canterbury - KF Grading
6th Aug Sat
* Canterbury - TCC Ex. Grading
16th Aug Tue: 7:00pm
* Auckland Annual Camp -
26th, 27th & 28th Aug Fri 6pm-9pm, Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 8am-1pm