Seminars
We had a very good number of students and instructors from all over the country attending the seminars. Our Australian and UK instructors were participating on Zoom.
In the Kung Fu session, we continued with the fundamentals concepts in controlling the centre axis, lines, angles, curves & wave action; balancing; relaxing & the timing of every move. The main point emphasised was knowing how to successfully refine techniques and improve performance without hurting our joints. The Black belts worked on the special attributes of the advanced forms and the importance of the mental focus in the development of internal energy.
In Tai Chi Chuan, I first discussed the two main points raised at the Auckland seminar. They are: 1) What is the right speed do we practice the forms and 2) the concept of “Hands becoming no hands, and the whole body becomes hands.” Yi was redefined to change from generating techniques to feeling the core concepts of the art. If understood, it will transform how one will practice everything in training. However, it is critical that full concentration is to be used or the difference will not be felt and old habits will take hold again. We continued to work on sticking, listening, following and changing in pushing hands. We also looked at the finer points of a few moves in the 42 Form as well as the 37 Form. The instructors practised the first few moves of the Tai Chi Sword Form and one of the fixed pushing hands drills.
Tournament
The tournament ran like clockwork again but even better than ever before. Thanks to the great work of the planner, directors, coordinators, timekeepers, judges, referees, ushers, security, photographers, first-aider and others with miscellaneous duties. It was very special to have Master Kinney bringing a good team from Auckland to compete.
It was good to see that the majority of competitors showed improvement in skill and tactics. It was especially pleasing to see this in the younger students, and how everyone competed with great spirit and conduct. I am sure they will learn from the experience and improve for the next one.
The results are as follows:
Patterns
Children's 15th - 12th Grade Division
#1 Ayden Todd HQ
#2 Jake Harris HQ
#3 Chase Clarke Blenheim
Children's 11th - 10th Grade Division
#1 Kruz Te Awhe HQ
#2 Sabrina Li HQ
#3 Olive Harris HQ
Intermediate Division
#1 Bridie Blundell HQ
#2 Vane Yamamoto HQ
#2 Maya Ricciardi Nelson
#3 Ruth Sutton University
Advanced Division
#1 Dylan Blundell HQ
#2 James Luxon HQ
#3 Reuben Clarkson HQ
Blackbelt Division
#1 Anthony Pyers HQ
#2 Jeremy Elrick HQ
#3 Keith Van Niekerk Lower Hutt
Fighting
Kids < 10 yrs Division < 29 Kilo
#1 Matteo Longson HQ
#2 Krish Chettri HQ
Kids < 11 yrs Division < 44 Kilo
#1 Hafez Safa Lincoln
#2 Hemi Heron HQ
Boys < 11yrs Division < 74 Kilos
#1 Ayden Todd HQ
#2 Isitola Gillbanks HQ
Girls < 12 Yrs Division < 49 Kilos
#1 Anamika Speck Blenheim
#2 Tigerlily Kang HQ
Boys < 13 Yrs Division < 40 Kilos
#1 Leo Byron North Cant
#2 Nathan Roy Lincoln
Boys <13 Yrs Division < 48 Kilos
#1 Ollie Glover Lincoln
#2 Andrew Gillespie HQ
Boys < 14 Yrs Division < 57 Kilos
#1 Janno Pietersen North Cant
#2 Gabe McGrody Lincoln
Boys Exhibition Match < 87 Kilos
#1 Kruz Te Awhe HQ
#1 Moa Tuiloma HQ
Girls < 15yrs Division
#1 Maya Ricciardi Nelson
#2 Stella Bloomfield Nelson
Girls Adv. Under 16 Yrs < 52 Kilos
#1 Bridie Blundell HQ
#2 Sophie-Lee Broome Hornby
Mens U17 Yrs Adv. Division < 56 Kilo
#1 Oliver Thompson Parklands
#2 Braeden Murdoch Cashmere
Mens U17 Yrs Adv. Division < 71 Kilo
#1 Jay Lawry Papanui
#2 Kieran Reed Lincoln
#3 James Day West Melton
Women's Int. Division < 74 Kilos
#1 Vane Yamamoto HQ
#2 Ruth Sutton University
#3 Lillith Huffman University
Men's Open Division
#1 Hayden Kumeroa HQ
#2 Brendan Paris HQ
Men's < 63 Kilos
#1 Evan Wills Papanui
#2 Torrin Squires HQ
Men's < 85 Kilos
#1 Renato Ribiero North Shore
#2 Leon Chambers North Cant
#3 Benjamin Graham HQ
Women's Adv. Division < 71 Kilos
#1 Michele Trott Lincoln
#2 Zahra Shahtahmasebi North Shore
Blackbelt Division – Heavyweight
#1 Troy Summerton North Shore
#2 Jeremy Elrick HQ
#3 Tyler Van Niekerk Lower Hutt
Blackbelt Division < 79 Kilos
#1 Anthony Pyers HQ
#2 Jack Fensom Parklands
Sydney Seminar
The Sydney seminar is on the 3rd and 4th of July. It is usually a very enjoyable weekend with a great dining schedule to sample the excellent variety of cuisine there. Do join us if it is possible.
Annual Camp
The annual camp will be on the 27th, 28th & 29th of August hosted by the Greymouth Branch this year. Seeing how everyone appreciate the annual seminars, the camp should be even better. It is the most important event for everyone and not to be missed by the senior students. We are enrolling students already so follow this link for all the information:
https://forms.gle/uaiPUf1mi8KrjZqW6
The super early bird enrolment ends on the 16th of July!
May Qi be with you,
Grandmaster SC Chan