Chans Martial Arts News
CMA 24-01 8th June 2024
Tai Chi Auckland Camp & Christchurch Seminar
At the Auckland Camp in March, Tai Shi introduced the idea of the cultivation of ’spiritual Qi, ‘true Qi’ or ‘righteous Qi’ & ‘electric Qi’ and circulating them throughout the body. He touched on refining ‘essence’ into Qi and transforming Qi into ‘spirit’.
There was a record number of students grading their forms in the Christchurch May seminar. Tai Shi was pleased to see most students have made good progress. He elaborated on the ideas of ‘Sinking Qi to the Dantian’ & ‘Guarding Qi in the Dantian’ and their importance. ShiYe Michael broke the information down much further as well as led some practical training in Fixed Pushing Hands and Tai Chi Sword drills. It is great to see Tai Shi in great shape and tossing us around with more ease than ever.
Tournament Weekend Seminars
We reviewed what is Tai Chi Chuan and how to train it efficiently. It is about learning and practising the principles of Tai Chi Chuan, not just moves. We start with a calming and focusing mind; correcting our posture; drawing fine, long & natural breaths to harmonise with movements and using the fundamental geometrical guidelines. Every sequence is to start from the centre. The focus is to feel the differentiation of Yin/Yang in the body, flow in movements and ultimately Qi.
We discussed how to train these qualities in the 6 & 5 exercises, the contrast of Yin/Yang in the 42 form and the subtleties in the 37 form. These principles were then used in practising one of the many Fixed Pushing Hands exercises. The Tai Chi Chuan Instructors continued with a few more Fixed Pushing Hands exercises before working on Free Pushing Hands.
The Shao Chi Chuan seminar began with a discussion of training on how to focus and calm the mind. We discussed the checklist of: 1) checking posture, 2) calming & focusing the mind, 3) harmonising natural breathing, 4) centre & balance and eye control. We also spent a lot of time on the side kick and spin side kick drills for relaxation, alignment, rhythm, speed and efficiency. The training for breaking techniques, angles, mental aspects and conditioning were discussed before we practised striking and kicking the bag.
The Black Belts worked on more bag & pad work, forms & weapons to refine their understanding of the various techniques. This was also to assess the level of the possible candidates for future upgrading.
Annual Tournament
This was the first time we had the tournament on the mats instead of bare concrete. It improved the enjoyment and safety of the competition. 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 Richard Beddie and Emily Toase make barista coffee and Mr David Joker ran the sausage sizzle for the benefit of the Chans Social Club. The tournament event just keeps getting better every year.
We had a good number of entries despite a spike in Covid-19 and flu infections in the country. It was great to have competitors and instructors participating from Canterbury, 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 fight bravely. We should see them progress through the years and rank into young. The youth, girls, women, men, veteran competitors and Black Belts competed very well. The competition will continue to get better when we have more entries in the future.
It was a good time 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 will keep improving.
Tournament Results
Pattern Competition:
Children Under 10yrs:
Champion: Anahera Matthews - HQ
2nd: Rachel Tham - HQ
3rd: David Tiong - HQ
Children Intermediate:
Champion: Zlata Tartarchuk - Lincoln
2nd equal: Claire Elrick - HQ
2nd equal: Adithyan Abhilash - HQ
Adults:
Champion: Torrin Squires - HQ
2nd: Simon Schack - HQ
3rd: Ishaan Boon - Invercargill
Advanced:
Champion: Richard Beddie - HQ
2nd: Craig Jarvis - HQ
3rd: Darren Chan - University
Fighting:
Children <7yrs <45kg:
Champion: Anneka Heeren-Macbeth - HQ
2nd: David Tiong - HQ
Children <9yrs <30kg:
Champion: Khalid Alghobari - HQ
2nd: Archie McPherson - Lincoln
Children <10yrs <33kg:
Champion: Jackson Rodgers - West Melton
2nd: Oliver Mitchell - HQ
Children <12yrs <46kg:
Champion: Dan Tanner - Invercargill
2nd: Sam Tarjomi - Lincoln
3rd: Claire Elrick - HQ
Plate: Alexandria Saul - Cashmere
Children <13yrs <51kg:
Champion: Aaron Lau - Cashmere
2nd: Hafez Safa - Lincoln
3rd: Adithyan Abhilash - HQ
Youth <15yrs <65kg:
Champion: Travis Mackrell - Cashmere
2nd: Chase Clarke - Blenheim
3rd: Oliver Seifert - Lincoln
Youth <18yrs <67kg:
Champion: Reuben Wilson - Blenheim
2nd: Daniel Bell - Invercargill
3rd: Ishaan Boon - Invercargill
Girls <13yrs <55kg:
Champion: Kaitiana Speck - Blenheim
2nd: Tiffany Norriss - Lincoln
3rd: Zlata Tatarchuk - Lincoln
Girls <15yrs <53kg:
Champion: Anamika Speck - Blenheim
2nd: Natalie Tanner - Invercargill
3rd: Sofia Kyle - Cashmere
Women <66kg:
Champion: Sophie-Lee Broome - Hornby
2nd: Hannah Wylde - HQ
3rd: Paige Cuthbert - Lincoln
Women <94kg:
Champion: Katrina Koslover - Blenheim
2nd: Ruth Sutton - University of Canterbury
Men Lightweight <70kg:
Champion: Ollie Thompson - Parklands
2nd: Torrin Squires - HQ
3rd: Jean Paolo Saul - Cashmere
Men Intermediate Heavy Weight:
Champion: Alex Kappeler - West Melton
2nd: Ariel Rodgers - West Melton
3rd: Lance Trotter - Cashmere
Men Middle weight <91kg:
Champion: Mackenzie Aitken - Cashmere
2nd: Jonah Jarvis - HQ
3rd: Lucas Faulkner - Lincoln
Men Veterans <92kg:
Champion: Nick McBride - Nelson
2nd: Jaco Pieterse - North Canterbury
3rd: Mike Smith - HQ
Men Black Belt Open:
Champion: James Scott - Parklands
2nd: James Day - West Melton
Kirsty O’Connell
We are saddened to share the news that our beloved Blackbelt sister Kirsty O'connell has passed after an extremely tough fight with cancer. Kirsty, Blackbelt-201 was an integral part of the Chans Martial Arts family. Originally Master Bruce Lord's student in the West Coast branch and transferred to HQ where she attained her 1st degree. She went on to teach our HQ children's class for many years.
Kung Fu was a big part of her life, she helped her husband Gareth become one of our blackbelts himself after her and even had her children train in the Lincoln Branch for some time.
Kirsty even started her own business after attaining her Blackbelt which she called "Blackbelt in Beauty" before starting her career in midwifery.
Taken far far too young, Kirsty leaves behind two beautiful girls and a hole in everyone's hearts.
RIP Kirsty.
A Celebration of Kirsty's life will be held on Wednesday 12th June at La Vida Centre, 34a Hansons Lane, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch at 1.00 p.m. Private cremation thereafter.
Please wear bright colours to celebrate Kirsty.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Kirsty would be appreciated and may be made directly to www.breastcancerfoundation.org.nz
Sydney Camp
Check the enrolment form for more enrolment details:
https://forms.gle/yfCzihw5FhsVNgERA
Sydney seminars 6th - 7th of July. It is always a very enjoyable event.
Annual Kung Fu Camp
Check the enrolment form for more enrolment details:
https://forms.gle/bF4SgWoY6yXSjbQx7
Queenstown Camp is on August 17th & 18th. As usual, we will review most items in the syllabus and introduce improvements and new ideas or drills.
There are many enrolments already and we are looking forward to this super event. Do not miss it.
The confirmed camp list:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hEXyxnTs3uNPP3fDMhHErJFQrcLG1kpU0PRuEPUsR8Q/edit?usp=sharing
May Qi be with you,
Grandmaster Chan
Chans Martial Arts