Chans Martial Arts News
CMA 22-04 28th Nov 2022
Black Belt Grading
We had a wonderful weekend with instructors congregating at HQ on Friday for the annual Chans Martial Arts instructors meetings. As usual, we celebrated the positive shape of the organisation with a sumptuous dinner afterwards.
The grading was a tough one as usual. It is very good to see how determined and fit the candidates were. They were well supported by family, friends, classmates and instructors from all over New Zealand and even from Sydney. The new HQ was up to the task and provided an atmosphere that we have not felt since the old Lawson Street HQ. Thanks to the grading officials, everything went very smoothly. A big “Thank You” to everyone who contributed to the improvements at HQ as well as the help in organising and running the awards function. We believe almost everyone who was there enjoyed the occasion very much.
One notable absentee was Master Lord who had to attend a family wedding. He sent his apologies for missing the first Black Belt grading in thirty years. We had many black belts who are not actively training come in to support the grading. It was particularly great to see Master Paul Reid who has been working in the USA for several years.
We had a very nice ten-course dinner at the South Garden Restaurant before going back to HQ for the awards. The senior instructors enjoyed their traditional ‘post-awards summit meeting’ very much.
We are happy to announce that the following were promoted at the 2022 Annual Awards.
1st Degree:
Brendan Paris - HQ
David Joker - HQ
George Tsingos - Sydney
James Day - West Melton
Mandy Simpson - Lower Hutt
Michele Trott - Lincoln
Poppy Cuthbert - Lincoln
Zahra Shahtahmabesi - North Shore, Auckland
2nd Degree:
Mr Steven Taylor - Invercargill
Mr Scott Connelly - University of Canterbury
Ms Kirsty Petersen - Parklands
Mr Joseph Van Zoomeran - North Shore, Auckland
Mr Keith Van Niekerk - Lower Hutt
Candidates for 4th Degree:
Mr Craig Allan - North Shore, Auckland
Mr Alan Logan - HQ
Mr Kirk Maxwell - Whangaparoa
I hope our successful candidates will continue to train regularly, as it is at the Black Belt level that we get into our special techniques such as Labyrinth footwork, weapons training & close-range fighting. In the last decade, we have been gradually transforming the Black Belt training, from just having the best bio-mechanics, to a higher more effective level, where internal energy and pressure point techniques are the main apparatus.
Our system was developed from contact fighting like many other martial arts to one that is quite different. Our stress-free way of training paves the way for us, to stay healthy and continue to improve even as we age.
Penelope Lake Trophy
The prestigious Penelope Lake award was presented to Ruth Sutton from the University of Canterbury branch for her dedication to training and supporting her instructor and classmates.
Alistair Kidd Instructor of the Year Award
We have also established a new award to acknowledge our most hardworking instructors as well as being a memorial for the late Mr Alistair Kidd. The shield is crafted by our talented Mr Rex Scott, technical advisor of the Greymouth branch.
The first recipient of the Alistair Kidd Chans Martial Arts Instructor of the Year Award is Mr John Avei of the West Melton branch. Mr Avei is one of our most dedicated instructors who works hard to provide the best training, guidance and encouragement to his students. He often tells me enthusiastically about the plans for his students, may it be about training, a student of the month award, or a social event. He also shares his grief when his students fail to achieve his standards. His students are very lucky to have such a passionate instructor.
How to reach objectives in training
The most common objectives in training are health & fitness, self-defence and enjoyment of improving skills.
The most important and easiest thing to do is to have the habit of training regularly. Once you are training regularly, you can develop the feeling necessary for making the gradual adjustments to improve. It is only when you train regularly that flexibility, health & fitness targets are automatically achieved.
Your ability to defend yourself when you are under attack depends on how well you respond to it. You have to use the appropriate techniques that are necessary to protect yourself and disable your assailant. For it to work, you have to repeat the moves many hundreds of times till it becomes a reflex action. Unless you are training regularly this will not happen.
Therefore, regular training is the key to all your objectives in training. For the best results, you have to stay focused and feel the positioning, stability and timing in your techniques.
End-of-year barbecue at HQ
We will have a barbecue at HQ on Saturday 17th December. We will cancel the usual Tai Chi class on that day and start the barbecue at noon. The social club will provide some meat. Please bring your drinks and if you like salads or dessert to share. Branch members are welcome.
The last training for the year will be on Wednesday the 21st of December. We will resume normal classes from Wednesday the 4th of January 2023.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
We will like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. Have a wonderful holiday and refresh yourself for the challenges of 2023.
Do keep up with the stretching exercises and practice your forms so you can hit the ground running when classes resume next year.
Best wishes for your training and hope to see you at the regional seminars next year.
Keep safe, train well & may Qi be with you,
Grandmaster SC Chan