Chans Martial Arts News
CMA 23-03 13 June 2023
Tournament Weekend Seminars
We started with the topic of how to train Tai Chi Chuan efficiently. It was similar to what was mentioned in our last newsletter except it was classified into the basic, intermediate and advanced levels of training. We discussed the internal benefits of the 6 & 5 exercises. We picked on several moves to look into detail in the 42 and 37 forms. We managed to practice a couple of Fixed Pushing Hands exercises.
The Tai Chi Chuan Instructors continued with a few more Fixed Pushing Hands exercises before working on important fundamental skills of Tai Chi Sword technique. We ran out of time after addressing questions on various aspects of training and did not go over the Tai Chi Broadsword or Free Pushing Hands. However, it was more important to make sure that the material covered was understood properly.
The Shao Chi Chuan seminar began with a discussion of training on how to focus and calm the mind. In the basic drills, we practised eye control, breathing, accuracy and total balance. We also spent a lot of time on the new side kick drill for relaxation, alignment, rhythm, speed and efficiency. We discussed the purpose of training for breaking, the techniques, angles, mental aspects and conditioning.
The Black Belts worked on trapping hands theory, solo exercises and partner double tap drills. We will have more follow-up drills on these at camp. We also discussed the fundamental pressure points theory regarding unnecessary fear with pressure point training, and how to train without hurting training partners. We covered useful arm points as well as a few head points. We shall follow up on this with more hands-on training at the annual camp.
Annual Tournament
Even though Master Lord was overseas and unavailable to help this time, Mr Thompson stepped in as his replacement and ran things with Mr Clarkson without a hitch. Master Kinney and Mr Morrison were also on the jury panel to help with decisions. Mr Wai Hoe Chan directed the tournament very well and made frequent rotations of referees and judges to share the workload more efficiently. The officials and assistants were excellent and ran the schedule like clockwork.
We had the same number of entries as last year despite a spike of Covid-19, gastro and flu infections in the country. It was great to have competitors and instructors participating from Canterbury, Auckland, Tasman, Wellington, Blenheim and Invercargill. It was a full house at HQ with family and friends of the competitors enjoying the event.
We are very proud of the competitors who conducted themselves with great spirit and discipline. It was great to see our young ones overcome their apprehension and compete bravely. We should see them progress through the years and ranks, just like the young champions that preceded them. The youth, adult competitors and Black Belts competed very well too. The competition will be even better when we have a few more entries next year.
We should use events like these to test our performance under pressure, conduct ourselves with discipline, and dignity and particularly keep our ego in check. If we have learnt from it, we should do things even better the next year.
Tournament Results
Pattern Competition:
Children's White/Yellow sash:
Champion: Briar Jarman - HQ
2nd: Zlata Tartarchuk - Lincoln
3rd: Ruby Seinafo - HQ
Children Intermediate:
Champion: Chase Clarke - Blenheim
2nd: Anamika Speck - Blenheim
3rd: Sabrina Li - HQ
Adults:
Champion: Torrin Squires - HQ
2nd: Anton Spencer - Invercargill
3rd: Damaris Warnick - Blenheim
Advanced:
Champion: Mr Antony Pyers - North Canterbury
2nd: Scott Goodsir - North Canterbury
Fighting:
Children <8yrs <35kg:
Champion: Violet Marr - Parklands
2nd: Ruby Seinafo - HQ
3rd: Archie McPherson - Lincoln
Plate: Khalid Alghobari - HQ
Children <10yrs <38kg:
Champion: Sam Tarjomi - Lincoln
2nd: Louis Connell - Lincoln
3rd: Jake Harris - HQ
Plate: Oliver Mitchell - HQ
Girls <11yrs <49kg:
Champion: Kaitiana Speck - Blenheim
2nd: Tiffany Norriss - Lincoln
3rd: Briar Jarman - HQ
Boys <14yrs <58kg:
Champion: Ollie Glover - Lincoln
2nd: Oliver Seifert - Lincoln
3rd: Nathan Roy - Lincoln
Girls <14yrs <62kg:
Champion: Anamika Speck - Blenheim
2nd: Olive Harris - HQ
3rd: Sabrina Li - HQ
Boys <13yrs <74kg:
Champion: Hafez Safa - Lincoln
2nd equal: Daniel Fick - HQ
2nd equal: Ayden Todd - HQ
Youth <16yrs <80kg:
Champion: Janno Pieterse - North Canterbury
2nd: Brylie Ross - Papanui
Youth <17yrs <54kg:
Champion: Ethan Franks - Parklands
2nd: Ishaan Boon - Invercargill
Men Intermediate Heavy Weight:
Champion: Jaco Pieterse - North Canterbury
2nd: Anton Spencer - Invercargill
Women <57kg:
Champion: Sophie-Lee Broome - Hornby
2nd: Damaris Warnick - Blenheim
3rd: Caitlyn Norriss - Lincoln
Women <75kg:
Champion: Hannah Wylde - HQ
2nd: Sam Sivertsen - West Melton
3rd: Heather Darby - University of Canterbury
Men <70kg:
Champion: Torrin Squires - HQ
2nd: Matt Newby - North Canterbury
3rd: Ollie Thompson - Parklands
Men <80kg:
Champion: Tiger McRae - West Melton
2nd: Leon Chambers - North Canterbury
3rd: Benjamin Graham - HQ
Men <85kg:
Champion: Jackson Allred - HQ
2nd: Richard Beddie - HQ
3rd: David Kingsley - Lincoln
Women Open:
Champion: Stephanie Hill - North Shore, Auckland
Women Black Belt:
Champion: Zahra Shatamasebi - North Shore, Auckland
Men Black Belt Open:
Champion: Anthony Pyers - North Canterbury
2nd; Lance Curtis - Lincoln
3rd: James Day - West Melton
Training Shao Chi Chuan
Success in Kung Fu requires the right information and the right training. The instructors must have the knowledge and skill to pass that on to the students. The students must have the right attitude to learn and practice regularly.
Even with the right information, the students must be able to accept and assimilate it. The students must understand the techniques and practice them till they become conditioned reflexes. They will need to train carefully and patiently to achieve this.
If there are any technical questions, the students should ask them politely during tutorials. The instructors have to work hard for a long time to gain that knowledge and skill. Therefore, instructors will appreciate it when students respect their teachings.
Students should not assume that once they have learnt a technique correctly that it is the end of it. There are always higher levels of refinement and improvement. They should always be open-minded and humble.
Fear of failure as it restricts one from experimenting with new techniques. One should concentrate on the methods rather than the results. Remember that even when the student understands the theory, the body still needs time to adapt. If the method is correct, the results will always come in the end.
Try to be polite, patient, and focused and train regularly. Have faith in the instructors and let them guide you safely through the grades.
Sydney Camp
https://forms.gle/AdrJue2if7tZBgKT7
Check out the details for the Sydney seminars. 24th - 25th of June. It is always a very enjoyable event.
Annual Kung Fu Camp
Check the enrolment form for more enrolment details:
https://forms.gle/FJKPJN3xbsxRPdkTA
It should be a great camp on August 25th, 26th & 27th, the previous camp in Nelson was a great success and no doubt this one will be too!!
The confirmed camp list is already starting to grow: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PfNwZkZNcgHI28vSOz9_OIjRC0s-TRQV3VEnGfjTjyY/edit#gid=0
May Qi be with you,
Grandmaster Chan
Chans Martial Arts