Combat 04 April 2007

THE BEST IN MARTIAL ARTS COVERAGE
Vol. 33 No. 4 3.50 Vol. 33 No. 4 3.50
APRIL 2007
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THE
DUELIST
Costumes Dazzle! Blades Flash! Duelists Duel!
BOXINGS BIGGEST FIGHT!
Will MMA ground and pound the noble art?
04
GLORY DAYS
A nostalgic look at the martial arts
MASTER OF COMBAT RETURNS

With a challenge for the World
CHUCK NORRIS
A legend with a social conscience!
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egular readers of my editorial (hi mum) will know that many of my scribblings are as a result of the news I hear whilst travelling to work (it is a 250 mile round trip) and this most recent news item hit me hard-the fact that we are the worst of twenty one industrial nations when it comes to looking after our children and bringing them up properly. I felt bad for a number of reasons, not least National pride, but also because I dont believe the figures can be right, especially when so many people choose to come here from their own native country for a better future. With that in mind, I thought we cant be doing that bad, can we? Then you look at the crime and the teenage pregnancies (yes, something we are the best at in Europe) and you think maybe even if were not the worst in Europe and the statistics are wrong, so is a lot with our countries youth. We advertise about the benefits of martial arts, we talk a good fight but I dont believe we truly realise what a force for good we really could be. All that stuff we pay lip-service to in our adverts is true! Many from the older generation will tell you that everything started to go wrong with the abolition of National Service, well, without realising it we provide a natural and viable alternative when it comes to discipline, respect, team-work and hard work and if we were to truly live up to our talk, we really could make a difference to the youth of today. With schools tentatively reaching out to martial arts instructors to fill after school slots, there has never been a better time for us to prove we can make a difference. I was part of the last generation that had boxing as part of the gym structure in their school. Wouldnt it be great if we were also the first generation that says we have martial arts as part of the school curriculum? Back to the future for the good of society, sometimes the old days really were the best and maybe just maybe, an old dog can teach a young kid old tricks-such as respect, self-discipline and self-worth. The opportunity is there, we just have to seize it for the right reasons-to make a difference to a kid, not our own bank balance. Malcolm
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COLUMNISTS
Mike Finn Dan Docherty Michael Tse William Sanders Simon Hazeldine Dr. James Fisher Anton Van Thomas Chris Samuel Keith Gilliland Dan Green Don Heatrick Brian Dossett Andy Hopwood Andy Bryant John Graden Nino Bernardo
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Paul Burkinshaw Matt Sylvester Frank Mensah Tom Hibbert Patrick Rault Carl Fisher Mic Clark Rob Nutley
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(U.K / N.IRELAND) (EUROPE) (REST OF WORLD)
Neville Wray Jim Fung Leon Dogan Peter Lewis Paul Hennesey Iain Abernethy Alfie Lewis Iain Armstrong Julian Dale Danny Guba Richard Thomas Rhee Ki Ha Steve Proctor Neil Holden Gavin Mullholland Ross Iannocarro Cris Janson-Piers Jeffet Jenkins
Page 4 COMBAT April 2007
R FO T IF R G O L ND E. EA IE TIV ID FR LA N A A RE
CONTENTS
REGULARS
19 26 28 -
12
VOLUME 33 NUMBER 4 APRIL 2007 PUBLISHER/MANAGING DIRECTOR

Paul Clifton
MARTIAL ARTS IN MEDIA - All the latest releases. WING CHUN TODAY - By Ron Heimberger. THE CHAMPIONS LOG BOOK With Rocky Sondhi & Tommy Thompson. 30 38 - THE COMBAT PANEL - Martial art or martial sport? 47 - BRUTALLY HONEST - Equipment review. 49 - MARTIAL ARTS NEWSLINE 58 - DOUBLE IMPACT! With Cris Janson-Piers & Kerry-Louise Norbury 61 - SHAOLIN GONGFU - Self-defence techniques. 72 - MIKE FINN - The choke and strangle. Part 1. 82 - TALKING QI QIGONG - With Michael Tse. 84 - RUSSIAN CHRONICLES - With Aran Dharmeratnam. 90 - INSIGHTS INTO IAIDO - With Chris Samuel. 114 - MARTIAL ARTS CALENDAR 123 - CLUBS DIRECTORY & CLASSIFIEDS SECTION
EDITOR
Malcolm Martin
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FEATURES
12 14 20 30 37 43 44 57 62 64 69 70 76 76 92 69 100 110 111 DUELIST Blades flash! Costumes dazzle! Duelists duel! BRUCE LEE THE IDOL OF MILLIONS (Pt 2) Combat presents more exclusive photographs! STEVE JARVIS An obituary, By Mic Clark. CARLA OLIVER The real deal brings glamour to MMA! FULL CONTACT SPARRING... AN ALTERNATIVE By Ralph Allison YOGA FOR THE MARTIAL ARTIST By Tan Gellatly THE KEYBOARD WARRIOR He knows whats going on!!! WFK COMES TO THE UK! BOXINGS BIGGEST FIGHT... MMA! Will MMA ground and pound the noble art? CHUCK NORRIS A living legend with a dream INSTRUCTORS... EVOLVE OR FAIL! By Andy Davies A MISS IS AS GOOD AS A MILE! The importance of blocks in martial art training THE MASTER OF COMBAT RETURNS... With a challenge for every martial artist on the planet! FIGHT NIGHT UK AND SENI 07 Showcases for the fighting arts! CIBSE ANNUAL DINNER Becomes martial arts showcase! A MARTIAL TRIP THROUGH CHINA (Pt 2) By Graham Horwood. AS REAL AS IT GETS! Reality based personal protection comes to the UK BACK IN THE DAY A nostalgic look at the glory days of martial arts! WUSHU TRAINING IN CHINA An interview with Liu Li.
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COMBAT April 2007 Page 5
UELIS
Blades Flash! Costumes Dazzle!
Duelists Duel!
he appreciation of World Cinema by Western audiences has never been greater and some of the most critically acclaimed films of recent years have come from the Far East. At first it was the Japanese and Chinese directors of note, such as Takeshi Kitano, Ang Lee and Zhang Yimou but the second wave included notable Korean directors including Chan Wook Park with his awe inspiring Oldboy and Lee Myung Se, who garnered international acclaim with his ultra-stylish thriller Nowhere to Hide. Basically Nowhere to Hide was an elongated chase movie that emphasised Ses mastery of movement and rhythm and visual flair, his chase and fight sequences as precisely choreographed as vintage Hollywood musicals.
Duelist, a fantastical historical drama, continues to explore similar themes but gives Se even more scope with its dazzling costumes, vibrant colours and diverse settings to create a visually stunning film that is the ultimate in style over substance, despite the excellent acting on display. Set in an imprecise Korea of old, Duelist follows the doomed love between the just and the criminal, as young female detective Namsoon, played by Ha Jiwon, and her trusty companion detective Ahn, Korean super-actor Ahn Sung-ki, investigate a case involving counterfeit money. Namsoon goes deep undercover, involving a variety of disguises, to track the criminals, which leads her through a trail of corruption that takes her all the way to the top and the Minister of Defence, who hopes to seize control of the country. Her investigation is consistently hampered by an enigmatic swordsman known only as Sad Eyes, played by Gang Dongwon, and their persistent cat and mouse duels spark a fragile romance that can only end in tragedy as the handsome assassin is loyal to the Minister. With the net closing in, Sad Eyes knows that to protect the Minister he must stop the Detective but by the time of their final and deadly duel, the two are hopelessly in love. The first point to mention is that without prior knowledge of the plot, through review or synopsis, the story is almost incomprehensible. The second point to mention is that it really does not matter, as this is a film to be enjoyed for the love of cinema, a visual treat that consistently dazzles the eyes with its verve, colour and movement. There is plenty of swordplay and it is highly stylised, the choreography reminiscent, as mentioned, of the vintage Hollywood musicals, especially those directed by Busby Berkeley, with their intricate patterns and kaleidoscopic effect. Each duel is different and reflects the characters changing moods and levels of gravity, the swordfights taking on a balletic grace that is mesmerising. Character takes precedence over plot and emotion over narrative, thus, at its heart, Duelist is Romeo and Juliet, star crossed lovers doomed to failure because of their allegiances to opposite sides of the political spectrum. As a result, Se draws the viewer into the overall experience rather than the plot, the counterfeit money case simply a coat hanger for the antagonists emotional journey that is conveyed in their duels. The duels therefore end up as the narrative device and they are the films highlights, as each colour scheme and setting are carefully chosen to reflect the emotional content. The highlights are the central and final duels, as they are the most emotionally charged. The central duel takes place in a narrow alley in the pouring rain and is a courtship ritual, a sword fighting tango that is exquisitely filmed and choreographed, as the two
potential lovers spin and twirl around each other in ever more intimate circles. The final duel takes place in the heavy snow and is extraordinarily beautiful, a rough comparison being the final fight scene between Uma Thurman and Lucy Liu in Kill Bill Volume 1. Here, however, a small army of detectives led by Namsoon and Ahn storm the Ministers hideaway, Namsoon knowing that Sad Eyes will be there ready to defend his master to the death. With film the most visual of mediums, the rule of thumb is show dont tell and this is what Director Lee Myung-se takes to heart with Duelist and it would be easy to see the film translated into a ballet or an opera, where the actual language of the dialogue being spoken is irrelevant. The visual brilliance of the film, the constant fascination with rhythm and movement, ensures that the film moves at a brisk pace, even if the narrative is virtually indecipherable. In this respect, the leads
have to act very physically, much being told by body language and it is to Ji-Won Ha and Dongwon Gangs credit that they do virtually all their own stunts, especially as the sword fights are so intricate and dynamic. Body movement adds immensely to Sad Eyes character, especially as Dongwon wears a mask for the early part of the film but his natural grace and easy movement define him, the mask forcing the viewer to concentrate on the sad eyes. Ji-Won is suitably feisty, yet beautiful and vulnerable enough for an audience to believe that she could fall in love with this enigmatic stranger and he with her. Its a tough balancing act but Ji-Won nails it, working well as both an action hero and a woman in love. In support, Ahn Sung-ki, the Korean Robert De Niro, is as watch able and dependable as ever, grounding the film with every scene that he is in. As with Nowhere to Hide, Lee Myung Se has taken a popular genre and put his very distinct mark on it,
the result being that Duelist is not simply a straightforward swordplay movie made by an action director for hire but a film made by a man with a very distinct vision and visual style. As a result, the film must be seen on the big screen to be fully appreciated. It is rich, vibrant, colourful and dynamic, with a director utilising a Universal concept, the detective story, to interweave his personal passions. Lee Myung Se is a commercial director with an artists sensibilities and the film is the ultimate visual experience, overcoming plot deficiencies with verve and imagination. As a bonus, the swordplay sequences are very good, so even die-hard martial arts fans will not be disappointed. Take a chance and go see Duelist on the big screen. Dont worry too much about following the plot, its secondary here, simply sit back, relax and let the visual splendour wash over you.
Duelist is released theatrically by Contender March 30th 2007
Bruce Lee the idol of millions

Combat presents the Sylvia Lai photograph collection
Action Star Supreme!

B
ruce Lee is known to martial artists and movie-goers alike as being a finely tuned fighting machine, which has been emphasised through the films that made him an international star. In this issue, part two of the Sylvia Lai special, we continue to see the other side of the Little Dragon, candidly, through the eyes of the camera. His meteoritic rise to fame worldwide came suddenly, like a tidal wave of excitement, lighting up the action cinema genre in a way we have never seen before. Bruce Lee has been quoted as saying that the word superstar really turned him off, preferring to be known as a super actor. Many fans admit his influence has changed their lives and in the words of Fred Weintraub, the Warner Bros. producer on Enter the Dragon, Before Bruce, every town had a church and a beauty parlour! But after Bruce, every town had a church, a beauty parlour and a martial arts school! One thing I have discovered with Bruce Lee, is that when the camera lens captures him, even if the photo contains many people, the focus of the lens as well as the eyes of the viewer, get directly drawn in to his charismatic and stoic aura that seems to always surround him. The candid photos seen here in Combat Magazine, Britains number one martial arts publication, are seen for the first time in this quality and magnitude. As a fan and follower of the martial arts, my life has been deeply affected by Bruce Lee. My extensive pictorial archive consists of thousands of images, all diverse, but seeing these candid shots displayed here of Bruce Lee the family man and friend for the first time, gives us an insight rarely seen. Through my colleague and good friend Bruce Lee author and historian David Tadman, we bring you more from the private collection of Sylvia Lai. If you are a fan of Bruce Lee, the good news is much more unseen material in the months to come will be gracing these pages, so stay tuned for more Bruce Lee action within the worlds leading martial arts magazine - COMBAT!
Bruce with his wife Linda attending the show Legend of the White Snake
Once again this picture speaks for itself but it is always amaz ing to see Bruce doing his mart ial arts moves.
Brandon, Sylvia & Betty Lai L to R: Grace Lee (Bruces mother), Bruce holding
g Kong. 218 Nathan Road in Hon ces Familys home at Bruce with Sylvia at Bru
Sylvia Lai with Brandon and Bruce at a local park in Hong Kong
Bruce Lee with a friend at a local park
Bruce with Sylvia Lai at the park.
MartialArtinMedia
BOOKS
Title: Beginning Wing Chun Author: Alan Gibson Price: 12.99 Published by: Summersdale ISBN: 1-84024-546-8 Format: Paperback www.summersdale.com
About the Author: Alan Gibson founded the Wing Chun Federation in 1990, with the express purpose of developing his chosen art and creating a relaxed atmosphere for his students. Alan has a black belt in Wing Chun and has been teaching Kung Fu and womens self-defence for many years. He is also an established technical author, as well as producing a series of DVDs. Whats it about? Basically, the book looks at how Wing Chun works, why it has been proven to be so effective in practice and why its methods are so different to other arts practiced. It includes training drills, concept linking methods and aspects of strength and conditioning. Whats good about it? Alan Gibsons book is as direct and no-nonsense as the art it is explaining and the author manages to pack in an incredible amount of information into the 150 pages, with a literate but informal prose style. The book is excellently structured, the different elements broken down into detailed but easily digestible sections. The result is an excellent fusion of the theoretical and practical. Whats bad about it? There is little to fault here, as Gibson is well respected and knowledgeable in the Wing Chun arena but if there is a problem here it is a minor one and it is the fact that whilst the photographs are numbered they are rarely referenced in the text and the photographs themselves are relatively small, a possible hindrance to a raw beginner. Conclusion: Alan Gibsons book is as compact as he art he practices and is both userfriendly and practical, the main focus on the drills, footwork and techniques, with the theoretical sections short, sharp and focussed in the early chapters. To round the book off, he also looks at a number of street scenarios, taking the concepts discussed into real life situations.
Title: Warrior Arts of the Phillipines Author: Reynaldo S. Galang Price: 24.99 Published by: Bakbakan ISBN: 0-9727679-1-6 Format: Large Softback sales@gazellebooks.co.uk
About the Author: Reynaldo S. Galang is one of the designated Senior instructors of the art of Kali Illustrisimo, by Grandmaster Antonio Illustrisimo. He is co-founder of Bakbakan International and is the organizations International Director. Galang is also one of the premier organizers and developers of the art of Bakbakan Kali which is a highly structured and expanded version of Kali Ilustisimo. Whats it about? A comprehensive look at the arts of escrima, arnis and kali, from a prolific author widely respected as a practitioner in the field. Within each art it looks at the defining figures through overviews and interviews, whilst including numerous pictorial drills to illustrate the interviewees skills. Whats good about it? This is an obvious labour of love across 350 pages and will be of immediate interest to anyone practicing the warrior arts of the Philippines. The books greatest strength is the fact that its whos who approach means that it can be picked up and browsed through during any spare moment and something learned about a leading figure. Whats bad about it? Again, as with Alan Gibsons book, there is little to criticise here but what little there is to criticise is identical, namely the photographs. Some of the drill photos are small and muddy but latitude has to be given here, due to the historical nature of some of the photographs. Overall, however, this is another strong entry from Galang. Conclusion: The structure of the book is the winner here, focusing on the art through the practitioner, to build an overall picture. Those that have passed away are given overviews, whilst many that are still alive give personal insights into their own careers. The result is a whole that is an absorbing read for practitioners of these unique stick fighting arts and in that respect, a must purchase historical piece.
Book of the month

Title: Shotokan Karate; Unravelling the Kata Author: Ashley Croft Published by: Crowood Press Price: 14.99 ISBN: 1-86126-873-4 Available through: www.crowood.com Format: Large Softback
Ashley Croft is a 5th dan in Shotokan Karate and a 4th dan in Aou Denkou Jitsu. He has trained with some of the top instructors in the world and studied in China under a Master from the Shaolin Temple. Ashley has taught Karate for over eighteen years and is currently the Chief Instructor of the Chiltern Karate Association. The book focuses on the first six Shotokan Kata, providing detailed movement instructions alongside full colour photographs of the movements in sequence. Once the kata is absorbed, the author then illustrates at least one kata bunkai application per kata, for each of the movements. Alongside this, Croft also looks at the history of Shotokan in no little depth, before adding a section that looks at the contribution to the development of Karate made by the pioneering masters of the art. The first thing to say is that on a production level the book is right up there with the best that Crowood produces. The layout and design is superb, the paper glossy, the printing top notch and the 450 plus photographs crisp, clear and in full colour. From the stylish cover to the final heian-Godan applications, the book is beautiful to look at and will grace any shelf with pride. The layout impacts on the technical elements too, as an incredible amount of information is smoothly imparted with regard six kata across 150 pages. The balance between text and illustration is spot-on and, as mentioned, the accompanying photographs are very clear and aid the explanation. The text is straightforward and concise and the real bonus here are the extra chapters that look at vital point striking, history, pioneers and the relevance of kata without detracting from the books main thrust in any way. The term comprehensive is often overused but with regard to the Heian kata, more than apt here as Ashley Crofts book is en excellent mix of style and content and a template for how it should be done.
MartialArtinMedia
Zhang Ziyi (left) & Shin Eun-gyeong Zhang has a small cameo roll in My Wife is a Gangster
DVDS
Title: Last Hurrah for Chivalry Cert: 15 Price: 16.99 Stars: Damian Lau, Wei Pai, Lau Kong, Lee Hoi Sang Director: John Woo
Whats it about?
Title: Magnificent Bodyguards Cert: 15 Price: 16.99 Stars: Jackie Chan, James Tien Director: Lo Wei
Whats it about?
DVD of the Month

Title: My Wife is a Gangster Cert: 15 Price: 12.99 Stars: Shin Eun-gyeong, Park Sang- Myeong Director: Cho-jin gyo This domestic smash-hit is the Korean equivalent of the Sandra Bullock action comedy Miss Congeniality, utilising the same fish out of water scenario, with Shin Eun-gyeong playing the notorious female gang boss Mantis, who has to become a normal woman to attract a husband, as a result of the dying wish of her beloved sister, who only has a short time left to live. This is the basic premise of the film and it works well, mainly due to the versatility of Shin, who not only convinces as a fighter but who also displays excellent comic timing in the scenes where she has to hide her gangland power from her potential suitor, also excellently played by Park Sang Myeong. The courtship and eventual marriage of the two offer the movies best comedic moments and the humour is truly universal. In fact, such is the strength of these moments, that you wish the film concentrated solely on them, rather than also focus on a gang war sub-plot, as the screwball type moments when Mantis switches from reservoir dog suit wearing gang boss to split-skirt and high heel wearing wife to be are the strongest in the film. Once married, her husbands attempts to consummate the marriage are equally funny, as are the moments when Mantis has to juggle both personas in the same scene. Overall, the film just about pulls together all its elements and the action is well choreographed but quite violent, given the tone of the rest of the movie. Shin kicks ass convincingly and the choreography is reminiscent of Sammo Hungs work in the mid-nineties, which is no bad thing. That said, a bit more focus on the truly important elements and a subtler integration of the fight action into the tone of the main story and My Wife is a Gangster could have been a great film. As it stands it is a good film with some truly memorable comic moments and solid action.
A tale of double cross and revenge, Last Hurrah sees a young man vow revenge on the evil Master swordsman who murdered his father. Unable to beat him himself, he hires two travelling swordsmen to do the job for him. Once they have killed the villain, however, the two realise that they have been tricked and that their employer is not the innocent he may have seemed.
Whats good about it?
Jackie Chan stars as Lord Ting, a superb warrior who agrees to take a woman and her sick brother across notorious badlands, so he can see an eminent doctor. Along the way they meet a motley cast of friends and foes, only to find that when they reach their destination, all is not as it seems. (What a surprise!)
This is an excellent example of the genre from Woo, showing touches of the assured style that would anchor his later and very successful gunplay movies. The action comes thick and fast and the choreography is solid. The two heroes, played by Damien Lau and Wei Pai have real chemistry and Lee Hoi Sang shines as the villain.
Whats bad about it?
The film has plenty of wellchoreographed action that consistently distracts from the plot weaknesses and keeps the film moving briskly. Jackie ably leads an ensemble cast and is at the heart of the action sequences, utilising a variety of weapons with his usual peerless dexterity and cheeky charm.
Whats bad about it?
For a film of this vintage very little, as the element that usually lets this type of movie down, the script, is actually pretty strong and coherent. The theme may be over-familiar but the execution is strong and the cast, whilst not huge names, are genre favourites, especially the aforementioned Lee Hoi Sang..
Conclusion:
This is one of the last pre-fame Chan movies, one where he has to relinquish control to the director, in this case the infamous Lo Wei and, as a result, he is more restrained, in terms of character and outrageous choreography than fans of his later work may be used to seeing, playing a much more traditional leading role.
Conclusion:
Overall, this is an excellent opportunity to see a great director honing his craft in a rare foray into costume drama. As a result, Last Hurrah for Chivalry is a solid genre movie that has dated well, whilst illuminating the themes of honour, loyalty and above-all, brotherhood, which would define Woos most famous films. Its all here in this mini- classic.
Chan fans will want to add this to their collection for its historical value and it does have value as it shows the raw talent that would manifest itself as genius later still being moulded. Whilst the studios were still trying to find the new Bruce Lee, Chan was just about to give them a totally different character, one who would revolutionise Hong Kong cinema. It wasnt with this film but it was remarkably soon afterwards! COMBAT April 2007 Page 21
MartialArtinMedia
Melvin Manhoef with one of the featured Knock-Outs, his unlucky victim... Evangalista Cyborg Santos
Technical DVDS
Title: Total Self-Defence Professional Jiu Jitsu (red belt syllabus) With: Stephen McDase Price: (see website for details) Contact: www.totalselfdefence.co.uk
Whats it about?
Title: Pride Bushido 1-5 DVD box set With: Various Pride fighters Price: 16.99 Contact: www.fightdvd.co.uk
Whats it about?
DVD of the Month

Title: Cage Rage Knockouts With: Host of World Class fighters Price: 8.99 (Each) Contact: www.fightdvd.co.uk
Many of you reading this must be thinking how did Cage Rage Knockouts find its way into this section? The answer is double-barrelled; first the art of the knockout is possibly the ultimate technique and here you have twenty one examples of the devastating finishing power of good technique, as demonstrated by some of the Worlds greatest mixed martial art fighters. Second, this DVD will appeal to anyone interested in full contact fighting, as, once again, it is the arts ultimate expression and I know that there are many of you out there, from all disciplines that follow MMA and this DVD is a perfect introduction to the Cage Rage arena and its stars. At 8.99 it is an absolute bargain and guaranteed hardcore entertainment. The DVD includes a wide range of knockouts, some very clean and technical, others very brutal and basic, some with fast hands, others with fast feet and some with just sheer one punch/kick power. The fights also vary in length with Cage Rage opting to show the Knockouts in context, often illustrating that a win can come explosively from the jaws of defeat. As mentioned, a wide range of knockouts feature but a number of knockout artists shine, including Mark Weir, Curtis Stout, Melvin Manhoef and Anderson Silva, now the UFCs Middleweight champion but here showing his stuff for the Cage Rage fans as their World champion. Edson Drago provides the quickest knockout, Tengiz his unfortunate victim, while Stout bangs them out; his knockout of Sol Gilbert guaranteed to be replayed many times. Home grown superstar Mark Weir demonstrates his superb Taekwondo kicking skills until he too becomes a victim of Stout, whilst the latter also tastes defeat at the hands of Anderson Silva. In fact, the DVD belongs to Silva and Manhoef, two giants of the MMA World, as Manhoef beays Cyborg Santos in a battle that many believe is the greatest fight in Cage Rage history and then rolls over Ian The Machine Freeman in chilling fashion. For his part, Silva tames both the big hitting Stout and Jorge Riveria before stopping Tony Fryklund with an elbow that has become a talking point the World over. Buy this DVD and watch it over... and over... and over
This DVD is a compact introduction to Professor McDades system, obviously (as the title suggests) concentrating on the red belt syllabus, which includes break falls, locks, throws and blocks, finishing with a section on dojo etiquette and rules. As such it is a valuable guide to those looking to take their red belt and to those simply curious about the systems techniques.
Pride Bushido is an off-shoot of the Pride fighting championships that showcases both the top talent within the organisation and the newer, rising stars. The format is also slightly more flexible, to allow for exciting team events, such as three or five man teams from Japan taking on teams from Brazil, for example, including Team Shutebox and Team Gracie.
The presentation, in terms of production values, is excellent, as is to be expected from the Two Dragons Production house and the DVD utilises their very functional martial studio. In terms of content, McDade is a confident host and the techniques are well displayed, shown from solid angles and benefiting from repetition and a variety of training partners.
Whats bad about it?
The DVD series highlights the complete range of fighting to be found within the Pride rules, from strikers to grapplers and, as a result, features some of the most devastating stoppages you could witness, highlighting the destructive ability of the knee strike, upright and on the ground and the simple but effective knockout power of the soccer kick.
Whats bad about it?
From a technical and production viewpoint, very little, as Professor McDade explains everything concisely to camera and demonstrates fluidly. The picture quality is clear, as is the sound and the structure is straightforward and user-friendly, the DVD running to a succinct but practical 45 minutes.
Conclusion:
There is nothing to complain about here. Production values are high, there are quality extras, all the fights include commentary and pre-fight interviews and across 5 discs the viewer gets a complete cross-section of the styles and fighters that grace the Pride organisation. With each disc a full fight card, the price is an absolute steal.
Conclusion:
As mentioned, this will be a valuable purchase for students of Professor McDades Jiu-Jitsu system but it will also have a wider field of interest due to the number of techniques needed for the grade and so it will appeal to anyone who has an interest in locks, holds, breaks and blocks, not only from a martial grading perspective but also with street application in mind, something the DVD consistently refers the techniques back to.
Pride Bushido is both a perfect introduction into the world of MMA for those that are curious about its phenomenal growth and a must have bargain purchase for those that are already big fans. The discs include many technical fights, across all ranges, as well as the brutal knockouts and the two stars of the show are Mirko Cro-Cop and Japanese sensation Takanori Gomi. COMBAT April 2007 Page 23
STEVE
An Obituary
JARVIS
By Mic Clark
his is one of those articles that you wish you never would have to write, but write it I must because the subject matter deserves nothing less. It is with great sadness that for my article this month I write about the tragic death of one of my senior students, Steve Jarvis. This article is written from the heart and is written especially for Steves Mum and Dad, our thoughts are with them both at this difficult time. Steve Jarvis was every instructors dream, he turned up for training every time a class was on, was always cheerful and approachable; Steve was one of those who clearly enjoyed his training. In the three years that Steve trained with us I never once heard him bad mouth anyone nor did anyone have anything bad to say about Steve. Hard-core would be an accurate way of describing his attitude to training and the martial arts. Steves place in the car was permanently reserved for him as we travelled up and down the country attending seminars, in fact we always took it for granted that he would be there. When we travelled to Kettering to train at Andy Gibneys he would be there, when we travelled to Coventry or Birmingham he would be there. He attended and supported all our supplementary training sessions with boxing coach Tommy Thompson and Judo coach Paul Young. He never missed a seminar and grading with Mo Teague, in short Steve could be relied upon for support every single time I tried to arrange anything. Steve joined us in 2004 and came with a very impressive martial arts background, he was graded Black Belt 1st Dan in Tae Kwon Do, but this was not the McDojo type of TKD popular nowadays, no this was hardcore TKD with legendary instructor Dave Gregory. I myself had trained with Dave in the late 70s and early 80s, and believe me this was no easy task nor was it for the faint hearted! The training undertaken then would not be allowed in the present day because no governing body would insure you! As soon as I knew Steve was a black belt under Dave Gregory he had my total and unreserved respect. That black belt would not have been given away, it would have been earned through blood sweat and tears. Mo Teague is a very astute guy and has the
uncanny knack of sussing out a martial artists capabilities in around 5 mins or less. Mo had sussed Steve during his first grading with us and knew he had come from a credible background, thats why his black belt status was acknowledged and recognised within Mos World Combat Arts system immediately and without question. Steve had been having problems with his back for a short period of time, but it didnt stop him training which was typical of him. One night after class he looked a bit down and was hanging around, I knew he wanted a chat so I asked him what was the matter. Reluctantly he told me that hed just been made redundant and wouldnt be able to attend class for a while. I took him on one side and told him he could train for free until he found work and that he wouldnt have to pay me back later either. I told him I valued him as a student and a friend and I wasnt interested in his money, Im no businessman I just like to teach and train. thats why I like to train with you Mic, no monthly contracts or direct debit business crap, just hard honest training. Thank you very much I really appreciate it, but if I cant pay I wont train was his reply. Oh yes you will mate I ordered him. We both smiled and he was off home on his beloved scooter. Steve paid for every class despite my offer and true to form never skipped a session. I was able to take this approach thanks to my Gung Fu instructor Alan Facer. Years ago whilst training under Alan I hit upon hard times, I was put on short time at work and we were struggling to pay the bills, my boys were just babies at the time so something had to give - it was the training. After skipping class for a week Alan rang me at home to see what the problem was, when I told him he made me the same offer that I was able to make Steve years later. It made a lasting impression on me and to this day I thank Alan for teaching me the value of putting people before pound notes. My last contact with Steve was when he sent a text saying he needed a few weeks off because of his back problems, I replied and told him not to worry and to rest up over the Christmas period and that we would see him in January fit and ready to
go. I never communicated with Steve again. Steve was taken ill on Christmas day and rushed into hospital. He was diagnosed with severe problems with his spine, liver and kidneys. Steve fought bravely after a seven hour operation but lost his fight at 7.30 PM on Thursday 4th January. His heart stopped under the strain of keeping everything going- he was 35 years old. Prior to the operation he had been told by hospital staff that he needed an operation and that the operation could kill him, he was also told that he would surely die if he chose not to have the operation. Steve was told this as he lay in his hospital bed alone and dealt with it bravely and with courage. His Mum and Dad joined him and they talked it over in private. Steves mum has since told me that he told her that with her and his dads support he was good to go to theatre and to get the job done. Anyway he told her, Ive got Mic Clark yelling in this ear telling me I should be ready, when Mic says get ready you better be ready!, and Mo Teague is yelling the same in my other ear, lets go And with that Steve was taken into theatre. I cant tell you how humbling that was for me when his mum told me. The World Combat Arts organisation was a major part of his life and he was very proud to be a part of it all, we were equally proud that he chose to train with us. At the funeral, and at his mothers request, myself and students from the class carried Steve in his coffin from the horse drawn hearse into the church and out again to his final resting place after the service. This was one of the most intense and pressured moments of my life and also one of the proudest. During the service the Vicar commented about how proud Steve was to train with myself and Mo and about how one of his happiest moments came when he trained with Grandmaster Richard Bustillo and had dinner with him afterwards. Im just happy to have been able to help Steve get so much pleasure in what he loved doing. Steve Jarvis was buried on 19th January 2007, in his World Combat Arts T Shirt and his combat bottoms, he would have been so proud.
Rest in peace Steve and God bless, you will be sadly missed.
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WING CHUN TODAY
Wing Chun Fighting Lines and Areas
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Generally speaking, in order to attain the fullness of Wing Chun, it is necessary to proceed in order step by step, first form and By Ron Heimberger its concepts, second form and is concepts, and so on. resuming that you have established a solid balance base and understand how to maintain balance from different stances, we can now move onto fighting applications. The most common mistake made by martial artists is trying to overcomplicate a fighting situation. Many people have so many ideas in their mind about defending themselves, that when actually attacked, they become incapable of responding. You should not concentrate on how to defend against every possible move; rather you should learn a simple method that will work against all attacks. The principle is called, fighting lines and areas. The upper body can be divided into a grid of defensive zones. To get started, imagine a line we will call the centre line that emanates from the exact centre of your body as you are facing your attacker. You will want to keep your hands on this fighting centre line for the quickest response in any direction. Generally, you will want to protect the right side of your body with your right hand and the left side with your left hand. Now you will draw a line across your body at the line formed between your elbows when they are hanging relaxed at your side. The area beneath this elbow line we will call the low area. Now imagine another line, which is even with your shoulders. The area between the lower line and this upper line is the middle area. Obviously, everything above this upper line is the high area. Remember the area below the fingertips is defended with your legs. These areas can be defended using primarily four moves
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Tom Hibbert MBE, FSMA AMATEUR MARTIAL ASSOCIATIONS 66 Chaddesden Lane, Chaddesden, Derby DE21 6LP
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Tel: 07973 507716

or Fax: 01332 280286
A1
B1
B2
B3
Photo A1
The body can be easily separated into three areas for defence: High, Medium, and Low. The area below the fingertips of the Low Area uses the legs for attack and defence.
Photo B1 through B3
This photo illustrates the Biu Sao or thrusting fingers movement used to defend the high area on the same side of the body. G2 illustrates a Tan Sao movement or palm up position typically used with a shifting movement to defend the middle area on the same side of the body. And G3 uses a Gaun Sao or cutting hand, this movement is used to defend the lower body, on the same side, against attack.
that we will discuss. They are: pak sao (slapping C1 C2 C3 hand), gan sao (cutting hand), tan sao (opening hand), biu sao (thrusting hand). The first of these, pak sao, can be used to defend the low, middle and high areas of the body against straight attacks along the centre line. The pak sao makes contact with the palm of the hand and is directed down and away from the line of attack. The hand should be held open with the thumb pulled back to avoid injury. A slight snap of the wrist at contact along with the arms extension should give sufficient power to deflect the attack. The second move, gan sao is used to defend the low area of the body. The gan sao starts with the arm extended and is pulled down to the Photos C1 through C3 This photo flow illustrates the Pak Sao or slapping hand movements and how they protect hip level in a cutting movement. Contact with the high, medium, and low areas of the body on the opposite side.t the attack will be made with the lower forearm. This can be easily practised by breaking the movement down for instructional purposes. Hold the arm out slightly from the body and let it fall relaxed to your hip pocket. Now do the motion again but, this time, imagine flicking water off your hand onto the floor. The gan sao works by cutting down the centreline and redirecting attacks off to either side. Tan Sao, the third move, defends the D1 D2 D3 middle area of the body. The tan sao is applied by bringing the arm in front of the D1 through D3 chest, approximately a hands distance In these photo flows Master Heimberger demonstrates with his Sifu, Grandmaster Ip Ching from the body. The chest is contracted the correct use of the High Level Pak Sao seen in photo H1. Photo M1 Master Heimberger which pulls the elbow into the centre line. and Grandmaster Ip Ching are in the Beginning position, called Jong Sao, M2 Master Heimberger attacks with a right handed high level attack to the Grandmasters head. The Now, using the centre line as a guide, the Grandmaster quickly reacts with a step and a Left High Level Pak Sao, while simultaneously arm will move forward until the elbow is swinging his right hand up and under Heimbergers arm. Photo M3 continues with the approximately a hands distance from the Grandmaster stepping into Heimbergers stance and throwing him back and off balance, this is when the Grandmaster makes use of a continuing technique by kicking Heimbergers knee. body. The arm must stay bent in order to properly deflect the attack. attacks sharply into the side of an opponents attack. The biu The tan sao should contact the attacking arm sao can be used for outside or inside attacks. with the upper edge of the forearm. The tan Remember, simplify self-defence by using simple moves sao hand will be open and facing upward. and breaking the body into small areas for defence. Finally, the high area of the body can be defended with a biu sao or thrustAbout the Author: Master Ron Heimberger is a direct disciple of ing hand motion. The biu sao is executGrandmaster Ip Ching, he is one of the Directors of the Ving Tsun ed by shooting the arm forward with the fingers extended. The contact area is the (Wing Chun) Ip Ching Athletic Association. Sifu Terry Estcourt represents Master Heimberger in the UK, anyone interested in learnoutside edge of the forearm as the hand ing and training Ip Ching Ving Tsun may contact Sifu Estcourt on will be pointing down when extended. 07958451718 or visit us on the internet at www.ipching.org The biu sao is effective because it
T T H H E E
CHAMPIONS LOG BOOK

Month 11
2 months to becoming a champion in Combat Sport
Quickness Technique Variety Predictability In addition to the above assumptions, we also need to understand the assumptions behind the fight strategy, based on observing previous fights. Fight strategy Discussion with our coach will help us identify all of the factors and assumptions we have made in our training about ourselves and about our opponent. The next step is to now discuss the opposites of our assumptions. This will help us identify the issues that we may have missed. The extreme views provide us with a useful reminder of the points we may have ignored or forgotten. For example, we may make an assumption that the opponent usually utilises a specific technique in a fight and we prepare for this. However, what if he decides to use a broader range of techniques? How does this affect your response? How does this challenge your mindset? As you can see the focus is moving more and more in our training to the opponent, as we get closer to the fight. Case study Lets just look at a specific example, based on the new Rocky Balboa film, as I think this demonstrates a number of points: the analysis is carried out from the perspective of Mason Dixon - Rockys opponent. As is? Factor Focus Assumption About Ourselves - Mason Assumption About Opponent - Rocky
By Rocky Sondhi & Tommy Thompson
ll of our training to date has been focused on the positive aspects of fighting. We see ourselves winning, we see ourselves fighting to our strengths - but what if....? The time is right now to focus on the worst case situation. As well as maintaining our training on our fitness and recovery, we need to provide extra focus on the worst case scenario. Firstly, to understand the potential worst case scenarios we need to understand what assumptions we as fighters are making. We need to understand which variables within our assumptions are actually uncertain. We also need to appreciate that our opponent, if he is well coached, will also be preparing equally as well. Our thought processes need to be one step ahead of our opponent. The first step of the process is to understand the factors that our training has been based on. These factors are most easily identified by using the tvp Wheel of Performance criteria. These are shown below:
No need to focus too Too old. Has a small much as the fight is restaurant so could do merely an exhibition with some money. Will not really want to get hit. Need to do something Why does he really to get popular, but want to get why should I bother. pummelled? He has already done it all, he is past it and is really just turning up to make up the numbers. He has nothing to prove! Has he lost his marbles coming to a fight like this at his age? Too old Too old Used to hit hard, but he is an old man! Well he was never really that balanced in his prime. It was his sheer will power!
Determination
Factor Focus Determination Stretching goals Self awareness Aerobic Anaerobic Power Balance Flexibility Speed Agility
Assumption About Ourselves
Assumption About Opponent
Stretching goals Just need to turn up and play around with him for a couple of rounds and send him packing. Self awareness Why does no one love me? I am the best! Excellent Excellent Excellent. I have knocked out nearly everyone. Excellent
Aerobic Anaerobic Power
Balance
Flexibility Speed Agility Quickness Technique Variety
Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Who cares? Will be slow due to age? Will not be mobile? Will not be mobile? Should still be good? Well he was always fairly limited in his prime Too predictable. Always was and always will be
Flexibility Speed
Who cares? Will be slow due to age? Will not be mobile?
Does not matter Maybe he can use diversionary tactics to deliver techniques How can he cut me off in the ring so that this does not become a factor As above How critical is this?
Agility
Quickness Technique Variety
Will not be mobile? Should still be good? Well he was always fairly limited in his prime Too predictable. Always was and always will be
Predictability
I am very unpredictable
The above assessment suggests that Mason Dixon really does not need to prepare too much for this fight. He is the World Champion fighting an old man. This is understandable. However, underdogs are dangerous because they are on edge and will look to find a unique point in their fighting. This was illustrated in the fight by Rocky training very specifically to generate power, as he knew he had no alternative. In many cases Mason Dixons assessment of Rocky may not have been wrong, but this time it was! By carrying out the analysis, him and his coach might have looked at the table above and asked themselves what if? Rockys what if? Factor Focus Assumptions About Rocky Too old. Has a small restaurant so could do with some money. Will not really want to get hit. What If Test? Rocky This is his last chance. Has he really lost the fighter in himself? What if he sees this as one more chance of glory? After all he is a winner. Determination Why does he really want to get pummelled? He never gives up.
Predictability
What if have made an incorrect assumption about the above? What are the consequences?
As you can see above a different dialogue now takes place which would change the preparation for the fight. Remember the fight is not lost in the ring, but in the gym! (Concepts are taken from the writers book tvp(tm) Comprehensive Boxing Concepts available from 0115 9555109 or www.martialboxing.com, priced 19.99 plus p&p. Rocky and Tommy are also available for workshops, consultations and private sessions on the above number)
Stretching goals He has already done it all, he is past it and is really just turning up to make up the numbers. He has nothing to prove! Self awareness Has he lost his marbles coming to a fight like this at his age? Too old Too old
Something inside him is burning. His desire based on his last few years could be unexplainable. He is clear about his strengths and weaknesses and knows what to focus on He trains hard to get fit He trains hard to get strong
Aerobic Anaerobic Power
Used to hit hard, but He has not lost he is an old man! all his power Well he was never This was never that really that balanced important to him in his prime. It was his sheer will power!
Balance
ot only is there a new boy on the block in terms of Fight First, the latest mixed martial arts event to start running in the U.K., but there is also a new boy on the block in the form of Carla Oliver. A former City investment banker, Carla brings a fresh approach to mixed martial arts as well as some long needed glamour. Young, with long brown hair and tasteful make-up, she makes a nice change to the over-made-up ring girls we have come to know and love.
Obviously not many people will have heard of her, so the first thing I wanted to know was how long shed actually been promoting: I have been analysing and planning the event for the last eighteen months and been actively promoting since the first of this year. Eighteen months is a long time indeed to invest before you even start to promote an event but this can only be a good thing. Unlike many Cage Rage wannabes, Carla has actually taken the time to work out where she wants to go and what she wants to do and isnt in this to make a quick buck with a sub-standard fight night that leaves a sour taste in everyones mouth. Going into yet another market where the boys call all the shots does not intimidate me, I am enjoying the challenge. Currently MMA is a predominantly male dominated business, its the nature of the beast. Entering this market however held no fears for Carla, Ive always been in male dominated business as a Chartered Accountant. When I was twenty-two I moved to London and worked for eight years in Investment Banking (Canary Wharf) which is one of the most aggressive and male dominated industries to work in. So going into yet another market where the boys call all the shots does not intimidate me, I am enjoying the challenge. I am convinced that although the MMA promotions business is a tough market, its one that is incredibly enjoyable and worth the fight. Being in such a male dominated market can however expose a woman to too much testosterone and fragile male egos, had she faced any problems on this matter? A lot of people seem to be suspicious that someone without ten to fifteen years fight sport, experience can actually put an event together, yet Mark Stanton of Angrrr Management
CARLA OLIVER
and Ian Dean of Cage Warriors have both been very supporting and have recognised that Fight First MMA has a really strong team behind it, in terms of both fight and event directorship. For this reason alone, I havent faced any real chauvinism or anything negative from these aforementioned market leaders in MMA promotions, instead they have all been fully supportive. Usually there is a catalyst for someone getting involved in a new project such as this and its also important to have a knowledge of the market both from a promotions background as well as a training (if not fighting) background. Carla agrees.
I used to do karate as a child then studied JJ for a couple of years. When I was older I went to Brazil and studied BJJ with Ricardo Vierra, (six times World BJJ Champion) in Copacabana for six months. I just recognised the opportunity. I saw that UFC in the US and PRIDE in Japan were big business. When I came over to the UK and saw Cage Rage and Cage Warriors promotions, I realised that there was spare capacity in the UK for another promoter and that as long as I didnt dilute the quality of MMA promotions, launching Fight First MMA was a sound market opportunity.
The matter of dilution is a very important factor to consider and its a shame that many newcomers dont consider this. Martial arts in the UK have been amateur
for a long time, usually with training held in Church or Community Halls coupled with instructors who dont believe in making money from the art and therefore undercharge for their services. As a result of this amateurish approach, many people seem to assume that they can put together sub-standard shows (sometimes with little or no medical support!) with sub-standard and ill-matched fighters. Such shows are really nothing more than glamorised Tough Man matches dressed up as Cage Events. These events do nothing for the MMA as a whole and are damaging to the reputation of the sport as a whole. I realised that there was spare capacity in the UK for another promoter and that as so long as I didnt dilute the quality of MMA promotions, launching Fight First MMA was a sound market opportunity. It seems that Carla has done her bit to avoid this saying: I built up a lot of good contacts in Brazil and France and (in association with Leo Negao) asked if they were interested in coming over to the UK to fight. They have said yes and our first two events will therefore be UK versus France and then UK versus Brazil. UK versus France, can you think of a more explosive and exciting event? Nothing is guaranteed more to get the blood pumping than to either represent your country or to cheer your country on against the French. COME ON SON! Most people seem to think that such events are gravy trains and that the money is like a constantly flowing river. This couldnt be further from the truth for startup events and Carla has recognised and planned for this. Every event is finance driven really, for at least the next two years we will be doing 2 a year, summer
The real deal brings glamour to the world of MMA!

Carlas with her business partner former World BJJ Champion Leo Negao
and winter and the five year plan is to have 4 shows a year but not necessarily in the UK, our strategy is to be an International MMA promoter. Many shows put on mixed rule events and I wondered whether Fight First will be following this trend. No, we are about developing mixed martial arts so wont be featuring a mix of fight night rules, at the same fight night, i.e. MMA rules, boxing and then say k-1 fights. If there is a move to establish a Governing Body (which there is going to be very soon) that sets down one set of MMA competition rules then wed be quite happy to sign up. Wed like to see the whole MMA industry use a single set of MMA competition rules. I believe this will help the MMA fighters. From talking to Carla its made clear that the safety and well-being of any fighters in Fight First events is of the highest priority. That said however, their rules allow for kicks and stamps to the head of a grounded opponent. Surely this is a bit of a contradiction? We put the stamps and kicks because we train our fighters to protect against such a thing and saw no reason not to put this in. We ask the gyms that are looking to fight in our events as to whether their fighters are able or prepared to fight on these rules but if the gym feels that they cant defend against this then we wont fight match. We want Fight First MMA rules to be as tough as possible, meaning as close as possible to Vale Tudo rules, yet excluding any biting or head butt techniques, as we feel these later two fighting techniques are more akin to street fighting rather than sport fighting. The reference to Vale Tudo comes from Carlas business partner Leo Negao. Leo started to train at Carlson Gracies academy in 1993 together with Murillo Bustamante, Amauri Bitteti, Mario Sperry, Vitor Belfor and others. In 1998 he moved to Sao Paulo and stared to train at Alliance academy together with Fabio Gurgel,
Alexandre Paiva and Romero Jacar Cavalcanti. In 2000 Lo Negao moved to Sweden and opened BJJ and MMA schools around Europe. Leo has over 300 fights behind him and if that isnt enough Leos list of titles is also fairly impressive; World BJJ Champion in 1998, Brazilian National BJJ Champion in 97,98, and 99, Estadual Champion in 97, 98, 99, and 2000, ADCC 2nd place Brazilian Trials, and finally 1st place in Roma Submission Wrestling. 2002.
Its all about the safety of the fights, the enjoyment of the fans and a truly professional approach to MMA.
Fight Firsts national team approach is unique to MMA in the U.K. people are going to ask whether we can expect to see a Fight First National Squad. We are almost ready to unleash our attached fighters onto the International MMA scene. Our strategy is to first train our fighters at our own Fight First MMA (Fight Sport) Clubs, then when our Fight Director feels they are ready to represent the Fight First MMA Team, we will look to match make them with other MMA Promoters. The best fighters from our clubs around the world will be selected to fight for the Fight First MMA International Top Team. We have successfully set up Fight First MMA (Brazil) and Fight First MMA (France) and this year have launched Fight First MMA (UK). Until our attached fighters are ready to appear on Fight First MMA promotions, our promotions fight card strategy is to have one nation versus another nation i.e. (UK versus France, UK versus Brazil, UK versus Sweden) with novice, semi-pro and pro MMA fighters selected from each nations TOP MMA clubs. Did I say this was unique to the U.K? This is unique to the world! The potential
for contentious grudge matches, maybe even an Ashes-like event is limitless and guaranteed to draw large crowds and get the forums flowing. Dana White has stated that the IFL and EliteInc are nothing but upstarts and no threat to the UFC. Did Carla think Cage Rage or Cage Warriors thought this or might actually be worried about Fight First? I can not say for sure, I dont think so... my best understanding about the introduction of yet another MMA promoter to the MMA scene is that people who love the MMA sports may be a little nervous that people are coming into the market with a cowboy attitude and they dont want to see the MMA market diluted/ruined in anyway through poorly organised shows and inadequate protection of the MMA fighters. This is something fifteen successful years in business has prepared me to understand. I can totally appreciate their potential fears. This is why weve taken eighteen months of in-depth research, networking, fighter profiling, and holistic event management research so that the launch of Fight First MMA can only enhance and compliment UK and International Mixed Martial Arts Promotion. Were not in it solely for the money but to support the sport and run the MMA promotions business well. As part of her research and networking, Carla hasnt been shy about approaching others for advice and help: Twelve months ago, I approached Andy Geer at a Cage Rage Contenders promotion. I expressed to him then that I was planning on launching Fight First MMA promotions. At first he said, DONT DO IT, you can lose a lot of money, its a lot of hard work, the game is not easy... but after speaking with me for a few minutes, Andy realised that I had already built a clear plan and done my research, Andy then spent a whole hour offering me advice, which really did help me take Fight First MMA promotions to the next level. I remain very grateful indeed to Andy for the time he gave me. Fight First isnt an organisation thats worried about either asking for help and advice nor about offering more opportunities for fighters to fight either in their events or in other promoters events. Fight Firsts approach isnt to compete with other promoters but to work with them as Carla explains: Without a doubt, Fight First MMA will compliment the UK and in fact the International MMA scene, supplying top quality MMA fighters to MMA promoters and providing more opportunities for MMA fighters to actually compete. We are a well run operation with a talented and dedicated team, passionate and committed to developing MMA at every angle. Were not trying to go into competition with anyone else and we wont put a fight night on the same date as another promoters fight night. We want to train more fighters in MMA and give fighters more opportunity to fight MMA, simple as that. The media is increasingly taking a
more positive interest in MMA with the Sunday Independent on February 4th including a feature on how MMA might well be a competitor for Boxing and featuring a Dave ODonnell interview. Cage Rage is obviously a well-known event and even had its own show on Men and Motors, does Carla have plans for Fight First being televised? We have started negotiations and there is interest but I really cant say anymore about this! We have been commissioned to film two demos and then move onto a broadcasting deal for our third show.
are interested can go to our site and fill out the form and decide whether they want to fight under Fight First MMA or their own gym, either way theyre very welcome. It can be a bit of a minefield but we need to be sensible about this and avoid flinch reactions and have a sensible discussion. As mentioned, Fight First is actually more of a holistic organisation and doesnt just concentrate on fight management. Carla explains We have just opened up our first gym in the UK under Fight First banner in White City, London. Leo Negao
Without a doubt, Fight First MMA will compliment the UK and in fact the International MMA scene
With Leo having been so active in the fight scene in the past I asked Carla whether Leo planned to continue fighting over here: In March 07 our top fighter Leo Negao will fight against Matt Ewing in Angrrr Management and will also compete in the 10K grapple competition where Jeff Monson will be competing. We at Fight First MMA are hoping for a re-match between Leo and Jeff, who last fought against each other at the Seni (NEC) submission wrestling competition, last year. As mentioned above, to put on such an event requires a lot of backing both in terms of finance and support. Sponsorship can play a big part in this. Weve been fortunate to get sponsorship from On-site medical Services and also a private investor from Italy. We are looking to get further sponsorship but because were so new to the market UK investors are holding back until the first two shows are over. Wed welcome the opportunity to speak to anyone that will to come to the table. We will have four suppliers coming to the events with Merchandise stalls and have two stalls left over, for anyone interested in taking a stall at our London based show Fri 23rd March 2007. When asked whether the UFC would feature female fighters, Dana White was very emphatic in his answer. No. The response to female fighters over here has been very mixed with some shows featuring them but with the majority tending to shun female fighters. Carla seems to have made another positive impression with lots of female fighters being very interested and excited about the fact that Carla is promoting and have asked if they will have female fights etc as previously they have often experienced a lack of confidence both in themselves and from promoters. Whether or not this is a single or mixed gender event isnt decided but it is a definite that we will be featuring female MMA fighters. There is no room in the MMA for alienation and so long as we can find top-level fighters and avoid any dilution then were going to push the female aspect just as much as the male aspect. Those that
(16 year black belt BJJ and World BJJ Champion) is the instructor for BJJ & MMA classes and we have training sessions every night Mon- Fri 19:30 - 21:00, Sat 14:00 - 15:30 and Sun 17:00 - 18:30. Private Lessons with Leo Negao are also available. On top of this Im also offering Fight Sport & Fitness Personal Training and this also includes Sports Nutrition something that I feel is often neglected. Fight Firsts first event is the UK versus France Final Destination and is being held at Porchester Hall, London, Fri 23 Mar 2007. Tickets are available for 25! Visit www.fightfirst.co.uk www.ticketweb.co.uk for further details.
Going into yet another market where the boys call all the shots does not intimidate me, I am enjoying the challenge.
FULL CONTACT
An Alternative! A
lot of people shy away from joining a boxing club or a martial arts organisation because of one reason: They dont want to lose their dayjob. Full contact sparring gives you bruises; cut lips etc. that your boss and your customers (or clients if youre self-employed) wont appreciate. People you come in contact with on a daily basis will immediately ask themselves why you keep running around with such injuries. It doesnt look professional when, for example, a bank clerk sits opposite you with a battered face. Right? Doing semi-contact sparing doesnt solve the problem either, since semi contact often turns into full contact due to lack of control or too much ego! Some people turn to White Collar boxing. Here is another alternative if you like to incorporate kicking techniques as well. Grandmaster Choi of Choi Kwang Do Martial Arts (CKD) came up with an alternative, which should satisfy those who would like to learn the art of fighting but also want to look respectable for their day-job the following morning. In CKD we do not wear full boxing gloves; the ones we use are lighter and less thick (called bag gloves ). The Sparring or as we call it: Defence Drills - is performed by punching close to their classmates face and body. Non- contact but wearing the bag gloves just in case there is a slip; the other guy is blocking those punches. Its getting more serious at Gold Belt level moving around as in a street fight with your gloves on and punching and kicking real close to the body, whilst your sparring partner is blocking what you are doing. This kind of sparring (defence drill) teaches you focussing, angling
SPARRING...
off, targeting and breaking someones defence. All good stuff if you want to learn how to protect yourself on the street. One of my students (a shop owner) had to use our art (CKD) in a real life situation when he had to confront 3 thieves in his shop and I myself had to use it on various occasions - in other words: this kind of training works! For a full-contact `enthusiast` this may not seem a perfect solution. But isnt that better than sitting at home not doing anything or doing full contact fighting and risking losing your job over it? I have a lot of high ranking martial artists (brown
and black belts) who joined my club from other martial arts because they got tired of the injuries and taking time off work or not being able to continue with their training. It doesnt matter how good you are in the ring - you will always get injured. In CKD we teach many close range defence drills, which are also very useful if you get into a spot of bother (Im demonstrating an elbow strike technique with a student in the photo shown). This article is not here to convince people not to do full contact sparring. It just gives you an alternative you may consider trying. And an extremely good alternative I think it is! If you wish to know more about the author Ralph Allison of CKD Martial Arts go to www. blackbeltschoolsuk.com
Article by Ralph Allison
THE
Welcome to another instalment of The Combat Panel. With the co-operation of the International Alliance of Martial Arts Schools we field more questions to the instructors.
Malcolm Martin (Editor)
- P A N E L - P A N E L -
adly, for the time being at least, regular panel member Sensei Ray Pulman has had to step down from the panel whilst he relocates due to work purposes. Hopefully he will be back representing Judo in the future and until then we wish him all the best in his recent endeavours. For the rest of the panel we field questions about grades and how they feel about their own art, the differences between martial art and martial sport, where to look when fighting and multiple dan grades. Lets introduce the panel members...
Gary Hoptroff: Gary has been involved various martial arts which include Jun Fan Gung Fu /Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Martial Arts, Judo and Brazilian Ju-Jitsu, Boxing and Kick-Boxing, Shaolin Kung Fu, Wing Chun Gung Fu. His instructors include Guro Rick Faye, Guro David Onuma, Guro Bob Breen, BJJ Instructor Jason Davenport and Tuhon Pat OMalley all outstanding martial artists and instructors. He holds instructorships under Guro Rick Faye in arts taught at the Minnesota Kali Group, Guro David Onuma in Jun Fan Gung Fu and Filipino Martial Arts, Tuhon Pat OMalley in Rapid Arnis. Gary feels he would like to continue and develop in the martial arts for many years to come and first and foremost in his mind is that training in the arts is enormous fun and a great work out. His main pursuit in the martial arts is JKD and Kali but feels what all people must realise that no matter what the martial art they all have something to offer. He encourages all my students to train with other instructors and attend any seminars that are of interest to them to help them grow in the martial arts and in life. www.hertsmartialarts.co.uk Stuart Anslow: Stuart is a 4th dan and the instructor of Rayners Lane Taekwon-do Academy and author of the book Chang Hon Taekwon-do Hae Sul. He maintains an open mind and open heart towards fellow arts, students and instructors alike, hence the forming of IAOMAS. Although Stuart has been very successful in the competitive area of Taekwon-do, winning a World gold & silver medal in 2000 and taking 7 students to win World Gold medals themselves in 2004, his love lies within traditional Ch`ang Hon Taekwon-do, teaching the system as it was originally perceived, as a military based martial art. Stuart has featured many times in `Taekwondo and Korean Martial Arts` magazine and was inducted into the Combat Hall of Fame in 2003. www.raynerslanetkd.com Sensei Paul King: Paul is once again our representative for Jujitsu. Paul is the Chief Instructor of Goshin Ryu Kempo Jujitsu, whose aim is a range of quick response, minimum effort, maximum effect techniques, utilising modern forms of Kempo and Ju-Jitsu together with devastating application of nerve and pressure point striking and manipulation. Paul started serious training started in 1977 with Master Bob Rose of Ed Parkers Kenpo Karate and has under some of the best instructors around including Grand Master Ed Parker, Master Bob Rose, Mr Rainer Shultze, Mr Rick Hughes, Sensei Terry Coughtrey, Sensei Malcolm Keith and Sensei Russell Stukley. www.kempo-jujitsu.co.uk Sifu Oliver Van Overbeek: Oliver is representing the Wing Chun world. Sifu Oli has been training in martial arts since the age of 8, starting with Judo in his native country of Holland. Whilst seeking something new he came across Wing Chun and found a new inspiration which he has followed ever since. Sifu Oli has been developing new plans, with a new club and a fresh approach to the classical art as taught by his SiGung, Augustine Fong. He developed the ideas behind Wing Chun A.S.A.P. (Applicable Science and Philosophy). Sifu Oli is also a qualified massage therapist, with several years of medical training, furthering his understanding of the human body. He has followed courses with the Institute Of Self Actualization to further understand the human way of acting and reasoning, completing their Graduate Intensive Training in 2004.Sifu Oli has also been involved with various other events such as small movie productions, charity-based demonstrations and charity-based self defence courses. www.wcasap.com Garth Barnard: Garth is our next panel member and is the Chief Instructor of Brackley Freestyle Martial Arts Academy, teaching KyukTooKi and Combatives. Garth, an ex-door-man, realised in a very short space of time that his success at national championship level did not equate to guaranteed success on the Door and had to learn the hard way, through experience, to become a formidable figure in local Door Supervision. After 25 years of Martial Arts, Garth teaches competition sparring and Reality Based Self Defence at his Academy. Garth has trained under some of the worlds best instructors including Dave Turton, Dennis Martin, Peter Consterdine, Richard Dimitri and Lee Morrison. www.bfmaa.co.uk Sensei Andy Wright: Andy is back with us again and has been training in Karate and martial arts for over 19 years. He has overcome physical disability, gaining his early grades under the legendary Master Enoeda and continuing up to 5th dan. In 2001, whilst recovering from a broken leg gained through training, he studied holistic therapies (Reflexology and Shiatsu) and studied the art of Reiki healing under a Reiki master. Understanding their potential in the bigger picture, Andy decided to infuse his base style of Shotokan with the art of Reiki, which became known as Reiki Jutsu Kai. www.reikijutsukai.org.uk Sensei Colin Wee: Colin, from Australia, returns as our guest instructor and is the instructor of Hikaru Ryu Gendai Budo in Western Australia. Trained primarily by Sensei Bryan Robbins of the American Karate and Taekwondo Organisation, Colin is a 4th degree black belt with 23 years of experience in the martial arts and previously a national representative and coach in Archery. Colin is passionate about the Chang Hon system of Taekwon Do and uses his unique perspective to endear himself to thinking martial artists. Colin is passionate about the Chang Hon system of Taekwondo, as well as his renowned women self defence courses he developed over a 15 year period,. He also runs The Martial Arts Curatoronline forum (http://cwee.proboards29.com). www.hikarudojo.com
Oliver Van Overbeek
Gary Hoptroff
Stuart Anslow
Paul King
With the panel introduced lets get onto the questions:
1. What does your belt/grade mean to you?

OLIVER VAN-OVERBEEK: Absolutely nothing, apart from a nice piece of cloth that finishes the uniform off nicely. We use them as targets for students so they have bite size chunks of material to study. Personally, I hold no value to the belt grade or sash whatsoever. ANDY WRIGHT: I value my grade more than others value theirs - you know the ones, they get to 1st Dan in a year and think they know everything! Mine was hard earned over 20 years and I place a lot of value upon the work I did to get it. I dont think it entitles me to any special privileges or rights, and it certainly doesnt mean I can sit back and rest on it, so it is only special to me, personally. But as you progress through the ranks, the need to take a grade becomes less of a priority; certainly I dont feel the same way as I did when I was 1st Dan. Sure, when its time, Ill look for ways to take 6th Dan, but it wont be high on my list. PAUL KING: My belt represents to me that after many years in the arts, I can now begin to scratch the surface of what there is in the arts and start to understand what I have been taught over the years. ( oh and it helps to stop my gi flapping about) As a symbol the belt means different thing to different people. To me it is a milestone in my journey through the arts. GARY HOPTROFF: It stands for a symbol of my achievement, ability, dedication, hard work and understanding of the martial arts I practice. I think you should be proud of what you have gained, but dont be arrogant, use your skill to help others who are interested in the martial arts. Be responsible with the combative knowledge you possess. COLIN WEE: Since starting with the martial arts, all Ive wanted to do is train and learn. My rank is a nice recognition of efforts over the past 23 years - and Im proud to wear my belt. Its disappointing to hear how the black belt grades are abused for commercial or political purposes; thankfully, I dont have those problems. The best advice given to me by my mentor Sifu Tim White - Heres your rank, now get on with your life. STUART ANSLOW: I tend to agree with Colin in that my grade is an acknowledgement of my efforts and dedication to my art over the years and its sad to see and hear about grades are abused simply to bolter egos. My 4th degree is particularly special to me as it was a 100% form of recognition as I was tested over a number of days without my knowledge and no fees changed hands, to me its rather special and assort of olden days type of grading! GARTH BARNARD: My belts mean a lot to me personally as each belt was a goal that I achieved and shows my progression through my chosen art, which Im very proud of, however, I honestly get more satisfaction out of my students reaching a higher grade that I ever did/do for myself.
Colin Wees best advice was Heres your rank, now get on with your life.
2. What distinguishes martial art from martial sport?

ANDY WRIGHT: Sports(men) get trophies, prizes, and huge egos...martial artists are usually the ones practising 7-days a week, all-weathers, for little or no reward except the personal satisfaction of striving to achieve and perfect their chosen way. PAUL KING: Not all will agree but essentially rules, etiquette and effectiveness on the street. There are martial arts that are martial sports but usually, and I mean in my own experience as martial sport is a small subset of a martial art. GARY HOPTROFF: I do not think there is a huge difference, just slight alterations, most people would say arts like Krav Maga, Jun Gung Fu/JKD and Keysi Fighting Method are martial arts, others would say TKD, Judo, BJJ, Muay Thai and Karate are more sports. However the way I look at it is like this if you take the knee kicks, groin kicks, eye jabs and trapping out of Jun Fan/JKD youre left with Kickboxing. Just like if you started to add street fighting concepts to more sport based arts you could not use those techniques in the ring or on the mat, as you would injure you opponent. I believe it is more about how you apply your art in a combative encounter, for example using an axe kick straight away on the street not a good idea, same axe kick when your attacker is on the floor or getting up is a different story. COLIN WEE: While theres nothing wrong with martial sport, a martial art doesnt focus on points. Theres no coming back for another round. While I think any good martial artist should be pragmatic and professional about their training program, it takes all sorts to make the world go around.
Garth Barnard
Andy Wright
Colin Wee
STUART ANSLOW: To me both contain the martial aspects to a degree, but the difference is one is applied towards doing well in a sporting environment to win trophies or gain recognition in this area and the other, the art, encompasses the whole of the spectrum which is often not just the fighting side, but the in-depthness, the aesthetic side, as well as the combative sides with less restrictions than a straight sport only. The key words are obviously sport and art and both encompass a bit of the other as well! GARTH BARNARD: For me thats a difficult question to answer, simply because the term Martial Arts mean so many different things to different people. For some a Martial Art is a way of life, whereas for others its just a hobby or a way of keeping fit. And then you have some Martial Arts sharing the same name yet being taught differently, some with emphasis on the arty side and others on the sporty side, by different instructors. OLIVER VAN-OVERBEEK: Its clear and simple to me. A martial sport strives to get good at the sport, a martial art seeks self fulfilment, inner stillness, and the martial part is mostly a by product. Training is much more than physical learning for a martial artist, honour and tradition play big roles.
COLIN WEE: Ive never seen anyone with a T emblazoned on their chest, but yes, thats where my eyes float. My awareness however also includes my peripheral vision so Im quite able to see all of his/her limbs. STUART ANSLOW: I seem to be the only one that is different here. I like to focus on their eyes, to read intent, though at first this isnt that easy, with time the eyes give a lot away. For an intimidating opponent I may go to the chest (T line) but in the main, I advocate the eyes. This is especially useful in a self defence situation. ANDY WRIGHT: Isnt the skill of martial arts to avoid the fight? Anyway, assuming not, I would keep my focus upon their entire body, centralised on the middle - as it turns out, this is more likely to be the chest. GARTH BARNARD: When sport fighting I focus on my opponents eyes, but I also use my eyes to trick my opponent into my supposed next move. When sport fighting I like my eyes to smile, to make my opponent feel uneasy, rather than give them a death stare as many do. For a street fight my vision will be tunnelled by the adrenaline so my eyes will be dancing all over the place, monitoring the aggressors every move, watching our surroundings, looking for signatures (shapes of possible hidden weapons on the aggressor), watching for other possible aggressors prepared to join in, looking for escape routes, etc, etc. When/if it kicks off then Ill be more focused on where I want to strike. OLIVER VAN-OVERBEEK: Prediction of their motions should not be done by visual impulse, but should for 99% rely on the sense of touch. The vision should be aimed at the centre line, but not for prediction but direction of energy, focusing on the eyes could be could if you wish to obtain the intention of the opponent, or wish to apply emotional trapping, during the fight however it becomes far less important to sense intention. Your entire body should speak for your, including your eyes, make sure youre speaking to your opponent and aiming at his centre line.
fighting an do you is better 3. When centre line opponent eyes orthink it tofocus on to keep focus into his/her to keep the T on the opponents chest help predict what they will throw at you?
PAUL KING: Focus on the eyes and shoulders and reduce your distance to limit the effectiveness of kicks but why wait to predict what the opponent is going to throw at you. If there is a threat, either get in there first or get away, less decisions, guessing and you are more likely to survive. GARY HOPTROFF: I think the best way is to concentrate on the torso as the body as the eyes can be deceiving. You should be able to see the logo on the t shirt but not read it, if you get my drift.
Paul King: I prefer to concentrate on one system and continuously improving and evolving that system.
of 4. The path youthe warrior is often a lonely one, is this true for and if so in what way?
OLIVER VAN-OVERBEEK: The warrior is often alone, because there are few others like him/her. Interactions with others are often on a different level, the warrior spends most his time training physically or mentally, and every thing he/she does in life is thought over that much little longer. Standards are high, however standards of those around do not seem to be so high in the areas the warrior finds important. Often it seems that the warrior is all alone out there, with very few that truly understand him/her. If they would really understand him/her they would lead the same life. COLIN WEE: Few people are truly interested in the martial arts. And having moved countries a couple of times doesnt make for the most constant pool of training buddies. I myself left my martial arts family back in Dallas, Texas. My second family is more flexible, and supports me online at www.iaomas.org. PAUL KING: I find it quite the opposite, we like to promote friendship and fellowship within the arts and find many others of the same mindset and over the years we have made many friends in the arts and this number increases rapidly, hence why we joined IAOMAS.
ANDY WRIGHT: I certainly think some aspects of (my) training should be done alone and cannot be enhanced with others, such as meditation. I also think that it can be lonely as one reaches the dizzy heights of senior ranks, especially if youve avoided the rat race and politics of associations, and done the more frequent thing of going it alone; you certainly wont have a pool of other seniors to talk to/train with, unless youve cultivated that as you went along - or joined IAOMAS of course. GARY HOPTROFF: Quite the opposite for me as well really, as a JKD man one of the main concepts is to look to other arts and always to evolve as a human being and martial artist. I have met lots of different people all with different view points, just take IAOMAS for example this has brought together people from different systems and arts. So no I do not feel like the path of the warrior is a lonely one. It is what you make it, the cup is always half full. STUART ANSLOW: I dont think the way is a lonely one, perhaps for many it is actually a more of a personal one. This is especially true as you go up the ranks and chose to evolve and perhaps take a different route from that of say large organisations and arent part of the committees etc. but spend your time and efforts on the art itself - this makes it a more personal journey, for me at least. But its not lonely, I have many friends in the martial arts from both Taekwon-do and other arts and as others have already said, with things like IAOMAS a lonely journey is practically impossible - unless you chose it! GARTH BARNARD: I agree with Stuart, I wouldnt say lonely, just personal. Ive got out the arts what Ive wanted to and now Im enjoying putting it back in. My Academy is like a close family, we all share each others ups and downs, but everyone has their own personal journey.
Stuart Anslow: I like to focus on their eyes, to read intent, though at first this isnt that easy, with time the eyes give a lot away.
every single side of the mountain, also you can see all tops of other mountains, and instantly everything makes sense to you. COLIN WEE: There was once a time when I practiced two arts simultaneously but now, theres hardly enough time for the one art. You can say I specialize in it, though in reality Im just doing enough to keep my foot in the door. STUART ANSLOW: If an art is a lifetime journey, then how can one study to a sufficient level in multiple arts and get the most out of them? Ive no problems with those that want to train/grade in multiple systems, as if its for cross-training purposes then thats fine and from my experience, most still keep and study their base arts the most. To grade in different arts just for ego is wrong but I do feel that perhaps by studying multiple arts you may miss the quintessential parts of your own art!, so I prefer my study to be of one arts, but with an open mind to training and learning from others like these guys, to enhance it! GARTH BARNARD: Ive studied quite a few arts in the past 25 years, but mainly Taekwondo, Muay Thai and Judo. Now Im happy teaching and progressing in a combination of all three, namely KyukTooKi. For me, and the way I teach it, KyukTooKi has it all and will now be my mountain path in terms of a Martial Art. Alongside KyukTooKi, I teach Combatives, which isnt an art, but something that I want to further my students and I in.
one one 5. Do you specializetoinget asart, and1st & art alone, or do you attempt many 2nd Dans various arts?
GARY HOPTROFF: No, as I have already said belts and grades do hold something for me, see question one. I recently achieved the next rung on the ladder from my teacher Guro David Onuma. I was quite shocked, as like Stuarts 4th dan, I did not even realise I was being tested. I just was training my stuff, working hard and doing my best. If you do that the Dan grades and instructorships will come. I am lucky as I do JKD we get to look all time at different arts and concepts. ANDY WRIGHT: I have one grade, 5th Dan, but what makes it unique is that my style incorporates different aspects of other arts, so rather than doing full-blown styles I have the best bits. I think that there is enough to be getting on with within this one style, rather than dabbling in many; jack of all trades, master of none comes to mind.
That concludes another Combat Panel with some great questions from the regular readers of Combat (keep those questions coming and dont be shy about what you ask, as PAUL KING: Many martial artists go down the road of acquiring many Dan grades from different systems, there is no all is relevant!), invoking some interesting, thought provokproblem with this, each to their own. For my own part, I prefer ing (as well as the usual frank) answers. As normal, well leave you with a quote related to this months discussion. to concentrate on one system and continuously improving and
evolving that system. Like Andy said, the phrase Jack of all trades, master of none springs to mind. OLIVER VAN-OVERBEEK: When you think of martial arts like climbing a mountain, do you aim for the top, or do you attempt and quit at the first foothill the first sign of difficulty? Only to attempt from a different side, and realise that at more or less the same height there are again difficulties. So you try a completely different mountain all together. Or do you seek until you have found the path to the top, no matter if it takes the rest of your life? Once you reach the top, not only can you see down
People seldom improve when they have no other model but themselves to copy after.- Oliver Goldsmith
Many thanks to all the instructors for taking part and for the readers who has submitted questions. If you have any questions you would like to put to the panel for future sittings, please drop an email to england@iaomas.com. For more information on the instructors, please follow the links listed, for information on IAOMAS visit www.iaomas.com.
Yoga for the Martial Artist

n the surface, Yoga and the martial arts seem to have little in common; very different disciplines and philosophies; but look a little deeper and it becomes evident that they are very much linked to each other. Most of the Asian martial arts seemed to have originated from the Shaolin Temple in Hunan Province, China. The monks at the temple had developed excellent meditation techniques but they lacked a physical health system to develop their bodies. A visiting Buddhist monk, from India named Boddidharma, arrived by invitation in the sixth century A.D., to teach a physical system known as Yoga. Boddidharma was thought to be a member of the Warrior Caste (a form of military that protected the ruling classes of the day). He would have had knowledge and skills of an Indian martial art of Kalarippyat, Kalari meaning school or art. payat meaning skill training, exercise or practice. Not many martial artists realise the healing powers of yoga due to misconceptions; however, the sports and fitness industries are beginning to recognize the therapeutic value of yoga asanas (postures) and pranayama (breathing) exercises. Postures can be used to supplement martial arts training, and used to prevent injuries and aid existing injuries. I personally have benefited from the practice of Hatha yoga; after years of training, I was suffering from back and knee problems. I even resigned myself to the possibility of ending my karate training; regular trips to a Chiropractor seemed the only answer. Until I discovered a local yoga class; with correct instruction from a qualified yoga instructor (who ensures that you are in the correct and safe postures) you cannot go wrong. I fully recommend yoga
by Tan Gellatly
to any martial artist. No matter what martial art you practice, there will be tendency to favour one side of the body, which is considered to be the stronger side. In karate and other kicking and punching arts; more time seems to be spent on an already stronger side, which results in even more imbalance in the body. If a person for example, prefers to kick from the right leg, he/she will have stronger yet less flexible hip flexors on the right side than on the left side. The right hip flexors will then pull on the lower back and hip, which then brings the whole pelvic area out of balance. If this person starts to use the appropriate yoga asana routine, the weaker side will get stronger and the stronger side will get more flexible without losing their respective strength and flexibility. This brings the pelvis back to its neutral and balanced state. Yoga asanas are ideal for simultaneously training and developing flexibility and strength. Instead of doing strength and flexibility training separately, one can do both at the same time with yoga practice. By including yoga in their training, martial artists will be become more flexible, stronger, better focused; helping to become more competent in their martial art. Over time, many hours of training and competitions might lead to injuries of the neck, shoulders, hips, back and knees. Regular yoga practice could prevent this. Patajali (widely regarded as the founder of yoga) stated Heyham dukham anagatam which translates to The pains that are yet to come can and are to be avoided. The many advantages and benefits of regular yoga practice, regardless of martial arts style include: Helps injury prevention and recovery process, increase inflexibility through the whole body, better core strength and stability, breathing exercises to increase lung capacity and endurance, learn to relax, reduce tension, better balance from asana postures, healing of the body from intense workouts, loosening of tight muscles. To find details of local yoga classes and more information about yoga, contact The British Wheel of Yoga - www.bwy.org
The Keyboard Warrior

dont even really exist. Ouch. That goes beyond kicking a blind man when hes down. It seems these upstarts have a long way to go before they even earn his acknowledgment let alone his respect.
He knows whats going on !!!

Damme, you wish!
Ageing Kickboxer star, Jean Claude van Damme, claims he and singer Kylie Minogue had an affair on the set of one of his most dire films, StreetFighter. Talking to Empire, the Muscles from Brussels revealed he and the princess of pop became more than just friends during filming. StreetFighter was corny to me, and completely unfaithful to the video game, badly acted, badly choreographed I could go on and on and on, But there were nice things. I got to see the land of Australia and had a miniaffair with Kylie Minogue. If you ever see her, say hello for me to Kylie, he added. No doubt he flashed that cheeky grin of his as well. Kylies reply, bar hysterical laughing, was unprintable.
Have an MMA fantasy!

Hearts were set a flutter when it was announced that there was now an MMA fantasy website. Forget Gaydar this was the place to be! Word went out fast and even my missus was diving onto the pc to see what all the fuss was about. Oh dear. Heartbroken, gutted, I was so looking forward to seeing Ortiz use a naked choke from behind in the mount were all comments that populated the forums. Put simply, the new website allows players to predict the outcome of upcoming events and even gives you the chance to win $500. All UFC and PrideFC events are followed and scored for the game, both Pride and the UFC have really set the bar for modern MMA, possess the best world-wide talents, and have the largest fanbases - all key factors in making the game appealing and easy to play for the majority of MMA fans. With each fight season on the website lasting for 10 events, Roberts predicts that the site will have approximately 3 seasons a year.
EliteXC who?
It looks like the UFC has a new contender! Pro Elite, Inc. and Showtime Networks Inc. just announced a newly developed business unit, Elite Xtreme Combat (EliteXC). Elite will take on the mixed martial arts world by organizing events on the premium SHOWTIME channel. Its first venue will pair Legendary Champion Royce Gracies younger cousin Renzo Gracie against Frank Shamrock. It is scheduled to air live on SHOWTIME on February 10, 2007. These events will connect with every martial arts enthusiast in America, and ultimately the world. Our goal is to help the sport continue to grow and flourish explains EliteXC CEO Doug DeLuca. And what does Dana White, famed helmsman of the UFC and someone well-known for his tact think about this? EliteXC... are rinky-dink upstarts. They
Call yourself a MAN?

Apparently Chinese Hardman extraordinaire Jet Li is a bit of a wimp and says he struggles with love scenes in his movies because of his introverted personality (Ive never heard it called that before, I thought that was a Thai thing but...) While shooting the Chinese-language martial arts epic Ci Ma (Piercing Horse), Li made the comment in his Web log. His character becomes romantically involved with the character played by Chinese actress-director Xu Jinglei. Having seen a photo of her I can only say what a complete glayrod he is. The hardman whines Every time I start a movie I dont know how to have a conversation with the female lead. Im rather introverted, so I dont know how to communicate with her, in his blog. In this case, Li said he tried to break the ice by asking Xu to help promote his charity fund. Theres certainly no better way to a womans heart than by asking her for money to support your own charity. Maybe hes slyer than I credit him for?
Cooking, hair-dye techniques and world peace at the IFL?

It seems that instead of being a place where top-level combat athletes can meet to bludgeon each other whilst wearing tight lycra and choking each other from behind, the International Fight League is actually a meeting place for the WI. God knows what steroids these ladies are on, perhaps its Boldenone? Justing Levens aka The Executioner from the Southern California Condors says about the IFL, Its very character-driven, Levens said. Youve got to sell your name. People have got to recognize you. To stand out, he dyes his hair half red and half black. The hair part is almost as challenging as the training. The first time it came out an ugly orange colour, he said, tears welling up in his eyes at the humiliation of it all.
Now he knows the key to attaining proper coloration: Bleach that sucker out, man. Like many in the sport, Levens still believes it has to overcome negative stereotypes. People think its like a cockfight, he said. Obviously people dont know the WI, unless the steroids are really strong. Its people who have trained for years to learn the techniques, the submissions. I never knew wielding a handbag could be so technical.
Seagal, but not as we know it

Steven Seagal, world famous Aikido action start, has discovered where his natural ability for martial arts comes from - he was a 17th century Buddhist monk in a previous life. He was amazed to discover the exact identity of his former self, thanks to his Buddhist teachers. He says, I subconsciously started leaning towards the Orient and martial arts. My old Buddhist teachers have identified the person I was in a past life. I was a 17th-century monk called CHUNGDRAG DORJE. I believe this is true but I dont dwell on it. Looks like hes trying to model himself on Buddha more than the monks were more used to seeing.
Guilty your honour? Neigh not me!

Following a trend seemingly set by double loser Stephan Bonnar, Lightweight Kit Cope tested positive for Boldenone, an anabolic steroid used to treat horses no less. Talk about a bad day. Not only does he LOSE, he tests positive. This is after losing four out of five fights since he moved over from Thai boxing. Obviously hes more than a few cans short of a six- pack. Hopefully hell be banned long enough to realise that hes actually quite crap and move back to something less challenging, like Extreme Tai Chi.
Eye-toy Kinetic? Fat gamers beware!

Are you fat? Lazy? Ever want to be able to learn martial arts like they do in the Matrix? Well tough, you still cant. However, EyeToy Kinetic Combat claims that it can at least help get fit whilst learning Hung Gar Kung Fu Anna and Matt from the first game return (EyeToy Kinetic) to guide you through the new exercise routines, and admonish you when necessary (fortunately not in a physical sense), while new instructor Leon teaches you martial arts moves. The game is built around a 16-week training course, with pre-exercise questions about your height, weight and fitness level determining the intensity of the workout. Fat boys will probably fudge their responses for an easy ride. Real men can fudge it to make it harder! Training is broken down into four zones, with four weeks of training dedicated to each. The Dragon Zone introduces you to the basics of kung fu, the Tiger Zone gives you strength and cardiovascular fitness training, the Mantis Zone is about agility and balance, and the Phoenix Zone is about putting the finishing touches on your techniques. How cool is that! Now, if only they had it on Xbox!
BRUTALLY
HONEST
Essential Kickboxing Volume 1 - Offensive Techniques Essential Kickboxing Volume 2 - Defensive Techniques
By Matthew Sylvester
Volume 1 Offensive Techniques
Summersdale Productions are definitely starting to put themselves firmly on the map and this is starting to show in the finer details. Their DVD box-covers continue to improve in design and now even the DVDs themselves are improving with a very new and tactile label being attached. All in all these are some of the better-produced DVDs that Ive bought in a long while and that includes normal film DVDs.
Who IS Pat OKeefe?

Pat is a leading trainer, TV commentator and best-selling author in kickboxing. He has fought 28 times in the ring and faced three world champions.
What is good?
Quite simply, this is an absolute gem of a DVD. First impressions are often shallow by nature and long lasting and it takes a lot to change someones mind. This is important because Pat is not the stereotypical young, toned, flexible and highly presentable kickboxer people expect. Instead hes a rugged, mature-looking individual who most young fighters probably
wouldnt rate. This impression is very quickly changed however as he unloads on one of his students giving him a lovely combination ending in a head-rocking punch within the first seven minutes. Pats teaching style is very effective and he is able to stay very focused on the subject at hand. He is clear in his instructions and the camera angles mean that the viewer gets the maximum benefit from the DVD. His execution of the techniques hes demonstrating is also very good and he has a lot of power. I especially liked Pats use of students for both pad work and for showing how to apply the techniques being taught. His demonstration of a spinning roundhouse to the head of one of his students had me laughing my socks off, especially after the last one knocked him clean off his feet. The presentation of the DVD is up to Summersdales usual high standards with good video and audio quality and they continue to prove why they are the market leaders.
low by nature and long lasting and it takes a lot to change someones mind. Pat is not the stereotypical young, toned, flexible and highly presentable kickboxer people expect. Pats teaching style is very effective and he is able to stay focused on the subject at hand. He is clear in his instructions and his assistants are of a very high quality with the result that everything is very slick indeed. Im especially impressed with Pats presentation skills as he coaches the viewer rather than instructing him using clear instructions and demonstrations to great effect. This in turn not only makes it easier for the viewer to take in what hes passing on, but also makes the actual viewing of the DVD far easier and a lot more fun. The presentation of the DVD is up to Summersdales usual high standards with good video and audio quality and they continue to prove why they are the market leaders.
What is bad?
The only thing that really niggled was that the presentation was done in a ring as opposed to in an open training area as in the first DVD. For me, the ropes of the ring got in the way and I felt that although this helped establish the DVD as being a kickboxing DVD I felt it wasnt needed and impeded the instruction. Aside from that, this has yet another big thumbs up.
Summary
This is a great DVD and I cant wait to see the rest of the series as it looks like its going to be the equivalent of a Collins Pocket Dictionary of Kickboxing. For once a DVD title lives up to its name as this is certainly essential viewing for someone studying kickboxing. You can buy both these DVDs from http://www.summersdale.com
What is bad?
Nothing. I was unable to find fault with anything on the DVD.
Summary
This is a great DVD and I cant wait to see the rest of the series as it looks like its going to be the equivalent of a Collins Pocket Dictionary of Kickboxing. For once a DVD title lives up to its name as this is certainly essential viewing for someone studying kickboxing.
Volume 2 Defensive Techniques
Who IS Pat OKeefe?

Pat is a leading trainer, TV commentator and best-selling author in kickboxing. He has fought 28 times in the ring and faced three world champions. He is also a rising cover star for Summersdale.
What is good?
Yet again Pat has put together an absolute gem of a DVD. As Ive said before, first impressions are often shalCOMBAT April 2007 Page 47
newsline
its public relations and advertising purposes. The signing is sure to help our efforts to include Taekwondo into the official program of the Paralympic Games and to contribute to further globalisation of taekwondo, said WTF President Choue.
martial arts
BRINGING YOU THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE WORLD OF MARTIAL ARTS. IF YOU KNOW SOMETHING WE DONT THEN WRITE OR FAX IT TO US AT 135 ALDRIDGE ROAD, PERRY BARR, BHAM B42 2ET. FAX: 0121 356 7300. E-MAIL: newsline@martialartsinprint.com
junior pupils from Seghill Judo Club and Bushido Judo Kwai. This allowed the panel to evaluate their skill and ability. A first aid examination followed. The panel of examiners comprised Barry McSherry (3rd dan), Sharon May (4th dan) and Chris Dawson (6th dan). Successful candidates were Jimmy West (1st dan), Kris Anderson (2nd kyu), Mick Clark and Kevin Corden (both 1st kyu). They received the Club Coach Award. Malcolm Young (2nd dan) earned the highest marks possible for his composition on the benefits of judo kata. This earned him the Intermediate Coach Award. Title PRO Show to be held in the UK later this year. Dell is vice-president of the EFK European Federation of Kick-boxing but at the meeting he was also elected Chair of WFKs European professional fight circuit. Dells duties include overseeing all European title fights. Kings Lynn was the venue for one EFK show during which Edward Krauklis lost his bid for the European title to Lincolns Shawn Burton. Shawn has now been selected to fight for the WFK World Pro Title in South Africa later this year. Find out more about the WFK and about kick-boxing in general by visiting www. dellmannsacademy.co.uk.
SCHRAMM SPORT SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH WTF

The World Taekwondo Federation recently signed a 5-year contract with Germanys Schramm Sport GmbH on taekwondo support projects. Signing took place at the WTF headquarters in Seoul and the men putting the ink to the paper were WTF President Chungwon Choue and Edmund Schramm, President of Schramm Sport. Schramm, which produces Taekwondo and other martial arts products under the KWON label, will support a Taekwondo demonstration by athletes with disabilities during the opening ceremonies of the WTF-promoted World Taekwondo Championships in 2007, 2009 and 2011. Over the next 5 years the German company will also support Taekwondo practitioners with disabilities either through cash or in kind. The agreement also requires Schramm to provide financial and in-kind assistance to countries where Taekwondo is not well established. According to the contract, over 50 percent of Schramms total support in this category will go to Africa. Schramm will also pay the WTF 15% of its turnover of WTF items such as shirts, hoodies, tracksuits and bags. But it doesnt go all one way! The WTF, in turn, granted Schramm the right to use the title of official sponsor in connection with the two above-mentioned projects. Schramm is also entitled to use the WTF official logo in
ABERNETHY IN NORTHERN IRELAND

Iain Abernethy taught his 11th seminar for Chujo Karate Association in Northern Ireland. Venue was the Seven Towers Leisure Centre in Ballymena. Iain has been coming to the province twice each year at the invitation of CKAs Chief Instructor, Dan Redmond. The seminar attracted a good crowd, many of whom were veterans of Ians earlier courses. It began after a presentation Dan made to Iain and first topic was an explanation of kata and bunkai. Next Iain discussed the role of grappling in self-defence. Featured techniques included close-range strikes, throws, take-downs, ground fighting, chokes and strangles, arm bars, leg, ankle, finger and wrist locks, neck wrenches, combinations and live grappling drills. Iain Abernethy plans on returning to Northern Ireland for his next scheduled seminar. Thatll be on Saturday 3rd November, 2007.
WORLD FEDERATION KICK-BOXINGS PARIS MEETING

Cobra Academys instructor Dell Mann travelled to Paris for a 2-day meeting of European kick-boxing representatives. The agenda focused on the possibility of kick-boxing in the Olympics and a schedule of World, European and title kickboxing events during 2007. The picture shows Dell with Mr. Manucheri, the President of the World Federation of Kick-boxing. The World Federations kick-boxing title belt can be seen at the front of the table. Dell brought the belt back to Britain and it will be presented to the winner of the first WKF
RODING VICTORIES
Roding Karate Club won no less than 15 medals at the 2-day Junior British International Championships held at Kingston College last January. This was the highest medal tally of any association competing. Over 50 associations competed, including entries from Germany, Denmark, France and Slovakia. Roding medal winners were C. Wallington, J. Wood, G. Smart, B. Vargas, C. Lynn, C. Wood, R. Steadman, J. Steadman, and S. Beezley. Find out more by e-mailing Ray at info@rodingkarate.co.uk
WORLD FEDERATION KICK-BOXINGS PARIS MEETING
BUSHIDO ACADEMY COACHING AWARDS

Senior members from Bushido Judo Kwai, Seghill Judo Club and Battle Hill Judo Club recently gathered at Seghill Judo Club to take part in the Bushido Academy of Judos coaching course and examination. The course began at 10.00am with a 2hour first aid course given by the Academys medical advisor. Afterwards candidates taught pre-selected techniques to COMBAT April 2007 Page 49
MBC001/01
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON!
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON!

Young Regis Sugden (aged 11), established his reputation as a future kick-boxing star by winning an ISKA English national title at a recent event staged by Neil Kelly (who just happens to be an undefeated British and commonwealth champion). Regiss proud Dad is none other than NMAs chief instructor and world champion Dean Sugden. Dean watched Regiss star performance but the roles will be reversed on March 10th when Regis watches his Dad compete for a second world title against Lex Easdon. Lex is the middleweight world champion six times over and this epic match will be fought at the Newark Showground in front of a 4,000 seat capacity crowd. Not content with winning a title, Regis gained his black belt with a near perfect score at the clubs grading, held last January in Castlegate. But Regis and Dean were not the only father/son team there. Charlie Pearson (aged 6) and Dad, Ian Pearson were each awarded best junior and senior grade respectively for gaining the highest scores in their white and blue and yellow belt gradings. Other grading successes were John Beckett, Jordan Frost, William Woodward,
Bethany Barrett, Gary Worthington, Jared & Verity Wood, Jordon Monks, Jacob Derbyshire, Sam Walters, Tom Rich, Charlie Gillman, Matthew Stevens, Ryan Pooley, Liam Parker, Jimmy Gillman, Billy Smedley, Ryan Sharp, Chris Ingle, Ryan Featherstone, David Cross, Leigh OBrien, Vicky Bultitude and Jason Gillman.
AMA SPLITS FROM MASA

The AMA has reflected on its membership to MASA for its coaching and decided to adopt its own programme for continuing development in coaching.
DEAR NEWSAGENT
PLEASE RESERVE ME A COPY OF MY FAVOURITE MONTHLY MAGAZINE
DOCTOR HOEHLE
Bernd Hoehle is headmaster of Martial Arts Association International and recently he travelled to Beijing with his assistant Dennis Diekmann on the invitation of his teacher, Grandmaster Gu Ping. Gu Ping is in charge of Beijing Universitys Wu Shu facility, which currently has around 20,000 students on its rolls! Naturally the Universitys wu shu facility is recognized by the China Wu shu Association. Training consists of traditional Tai Ji, Qi gong and Wu Shu. The daily training schedule takes place in the university and classes are taught by Gu Ping and Liu Peng - the Ching I champion. Bernd gave some demonstrations with and without weapons in front of the teachers, students, faculty members and leading political personalities. His performances were greeted with much applause and later, he was presented with the title Doctor of Wu Shu and the universitys gold medal for sporting achievement. This honour ranks with Bernds others, conferred by The White House & a Saudi Prince.
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DOCTOR HOEHLE
TWENTY YEARS OF FSK

TWENTY YEARS OF FSK
The Federation of Shotokan Karate celebrated its 20th anniversary with a ball held at the Rutland Square Hotel, Nottingham. FSK was formed in 1986 when Aidan Trimble left the SKI. Since then the FSK has been very successful, having produced many champions - some even world champions. For a relatively small group FSK has won a reputation for quality both in students and instructors. Instructors and guests to the black-tie anniversary event included those who have sponsored the teams over the years. Each received a coloured history of the last 20 years and a presentation pen. Aidan gave a welcoming speech during which he recalled many anecdotes from the past two decades. Then he presented FSK instructors with crystal trophies - tokens of his gratitude for their help and continued loyalty. Dave Owen (5th dan), a senior instructor in the FSK took the mike and gave an impromptu and emotional speech in which he complimented Aidan for his leadership. Deb Beevers and Sue Bance presented Aidan with a crystal sculpture created by a local artist as a gift from the FSK instructors. titles or purses - but the originator of the system, Sid Remmer at info@fightvid.co.uk has appealed to readers for their help. The programme is all set up and running. All it needs now are data (results). Sid wants to include as many results as possible, so please contact him if you hear of a show. Its particularly important, says Sid, to include results from small local shows that dont reach the national fight press. At first Sid has put the rankings on www.FightVid.co.uk but hell give them a page of their own once hes happy the programme is working. The rankings will be free to everyone and they are currently being discussed on http:// message.axkickboxing.com/ index.phtml?action=dispthread &topic=20675&junk=1168864 571.30589 and http:// message.axkickboxing.com/ index.phtml?action=dispthread &topic=20675&junk =1168864571.30589 take place 10am to 2pm on March 31st in the Ocean Road Community Centre, South Shields. The seminar will cost 20 and all funds go to the trust. All places must be prebooked. Make your cheque payable to Glen Corner Trust and mail it to 136 Weston Road, South Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE33 3PF. Contact Barry Carr on 0191-422-9761 or 0772-5740158 if you need more information. Even if you cant make the seminar, you can still make a donation to the Glen Corner Trust through any branch of Lloyds TBS. Just ask the staff for details.
THE ROLLS ROYCE OF DUMMIES!

Sport Taekwondo UK. He will be based at the centre of excellence at Loughborough University. Aspects of his new role include enhancing the delivery and planning of athlete training, systems development for the identification and selection of athletes and contributing to the application of science within the performance programme.
THE ROLLS ROYCE OF DUMMIES!

A new free-standing or floor mounted Mook Yan Jong is now available for purchase! This dummy is professionally produced to the correct dimensions and the free- standing version boasts a steel base with pre-drilled holes for floor mounting. The base alone needs two people to move it around, so sturdy is it! The base post is fabricated from laminated tulip hardwood. It is both bolted and glued through the base and it comes sealed with tung oil for outdoor waterproofing. The bracket is welded from solid steel and the traditionally made leg is extended rearwards for anchoring through the base post. The trunk is constructed to close tolerances that mean it can never work loose. Furthermore the trunk sits on a solid round base plate and a large steel pin locates it. You can buy this beautifully made training aid for 370 by calling in your order to Cameron at 0797-140-5582 or 0128-070-1389.
SPORT TAEKWONDOS NEW TECHNICAL MANAGER

Sport Taekwondo UK is part of the BTCB and it recently announced the appointment of Humberto Inguanzo Arizmendi as the Technical Manager for the Great Britain Taekwondo Team. Humberto comes from Cuba and holds a masters degree in Theory and Management of Sports Training. He has held a number of academic positions in both Cuba and Mexico and has a rich history in combat sports at an elite level. Humberto was responsible for the tactical, technical and physical training of the Cuban National Taekwondo Team and in that role, he saw them achieve a gold and silver medal from their four qualified athletes at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. This ranked Cuba second overall behind Korea in the Sydney Games. Humberto was Chief Trainer to the Mexican National Team during the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. His fighters there won silver and bronze medals. Humberto is leaving the National Sports Commission of Mexico to join
A WORTHY CAUSE
Glen Corner was walking with friends in South Shields when he was stabbed to death. That tragedy happened on the lads 16th birthday and it was reported in the national news. Now, Glens mother Susanne Hilton - along with Barry Carr, her partner and the parents of three of Glens closest friends (Claire Carlson, Julie Walker, and Jennifer Brown) have set up a trust in Glens name. The aim of the Glen Corner trust is to raise enough money to set up an office and a helpline for families ripped apart by murder or manslaughter. Barry is a karate dan grade and hes started the ball rolling by arranging a seminar with Iain Abernethy to raise funds for the trust. The seminar will
UK MUAY THAI AUTOMATED RANKINGS

This year sees the launch of UK Muay Thai Automated Rankings - a computerised system that can rank any number of fighters - even first timers! Can you imagine 100 fighters named in each weight division? Thanks to this transparent system, fighters know exactly who they need to beat to improve their ranking. This is all about motivation and creating a level playing field for everyone. Its not about
THE IRISH OPEN

The Irish ITF Open Black Belt Championships will be held on March 31, 2007 in Dublin, Ireland. The competition is open to ITF black belts and it comprises individual patterns, sparring, power and special technique competition. You can find out all about it by visiting www.rita-itf.org/. COMBAT April 2007 Page 51
UNDERSTANDING THE PATTERN
FEDOR EMELIANENKO EXTENDS HIS PRIDE CONTRACT!

UNDERSTANDING THE PATTERN
Titan Taekwondo recently hosted a BTCB Poomsae Judges Course at the West London Academy in Northolt. The course was run by Neil Guest (6th dan) and Nigel Hudson (5th dan), and it was well supported by black belts from local clubs. It is only the third such course held nationally, and the first held at the Academy. Brian Robinson (4th dan) runs Titan Taekwondo at the venue and the idea for the course came from him. Poomsae has a long history of competition and keeping up with the changes is very important because how can you play a game if you dont know the rules? The BTCB recognise this and that is why they supported seminars where students and instructors are taught changes within the poomsae rules and performance. The course itself was focused on understanding the practical side of what to look for and how to mark them when they are performed. This involved a practical session where poomsae were analysed, and a theory session when the rules were examined. The course concluded with a written exam. Those who attended the course were Steve Macrae and Robert Wye (black tags), Andy Daly, Alvin Ho, Paul Holmes, Karen McCrae, Peter McBrien, John Moran and Alex Reynolds (1st dans), Sara Foskett and Becky Gorden (2nd dans), Luke Robinson (3rd dan), Robin Bell, Alec Bryan, Brian Robinson and Cara Smith (4th dans), Gemma Biescas (5th dan) and Elias Biescas (6th dan). Contact Brian Robinson on 0208-423-6088 for information about taekwondo in the Northolt and Ruislip areas or visit www.taekwondo.go.cc. Page 52 COMBAT April 2007
WTF AND KYUNG HEE UNIVERSITY JOIN FORCES

Kyung Hee University held two short-term courses for athletes and two long-term courses for coaches during 2006. So successful were these that the courses will run again during 2007. The WTF has been running these courses in conjunction with the International Taekwondo Academy of Kyung Hee University. The programme, aimed at training athletes and coaches, is part of the WTF Taekwondo Solidarity Programme, which is intended to help member national associations promote and develop Taekwondo.
FEDOR EMELIANENKO EXTENDS HIS PRIDE CONTRACT!

Mirko Filipovic has officially departed the Japanese mixed martial arts organization for North America and the UFC. Now PRIDE, through its website, has announced that it has agreed to extend Emelianenkos contract. Speaking to Pridefc. com, Emelianenko said, I am happy to continue my career in PRIDE and look forward to adding to my unbeaten streak as champion. Terms of the contract are not known at present.
This is a free service for all national associations! The Presidents of the WTF and ITF signed an agreement on December 2nd, 2006 to set up the Co-ordination Committee for Taekwondo Integration. This integration was always very close to the late General Choi Hong His heart.
TAEKWONDO 8TH OPEN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Tae Kwon Do International has launched the website for the 8th Open World Championships at www.taekwondo worldchampionships2007.com. This prestigious event will be held Saturday June 30th Sunday 1st July.
UFC BACK IN BRITAIN!

The UFC will be coming to England in 2007! Dana White told us that they plan to continue expanding the UFC and building on the success that theyve enjoyed. Mark Weir gave his opponent a serious spanking the last time they were over here and in so doing, won UFCs record for the fastest knockout. Lets hope our boys show the Colonials just how good we are!
PATRICK McCARTHY VISITS THE UK

There are few martialartists as far-travelled and experienced as Patrick McCarthy hanshi. The 8th dan has taught all over the world and has students that travel hundreds (if not thousands) of miles just to see him. The flow drills that McCarthy hanshi teaches are based on the responses to violence. The fact that they also happen to look exactly like the moves from popular kata should provide enough grounding and familiarity to tickle the fancy of all karate-ka. This year, hanshi is once again visiting SENI and the day after, Monday 21st of May, he will be teaching a seminar in Devon for John Burke. The subject matter will be the usual mix of kata bunkai, flow drills and historical content and it will be well worth taking the day off and travelling to Newton Abbot to visit and train. The seminar is set to commence at 6.30pm and goes on until 9.30pm. The seminar is only 20 to readers of Combat and Traditional Karate but as places are limited, you must book in advance by calling 01626 360999
THE MAN, THE MYTH

Many of Combats readers will know - or have probably bought goods from - Bernard Chong of BCS Sports. Well, Bernard recently made a trip to Hong Kong to visit family and friends - but he also used the trip to visit places with a martial art connection. One of the highlights was his visit to Avenue of The Stars, which is in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. There Bernard saw first-hand the statue erected to celebrate the life and work of Bruce Lee. Bernard told us, Its worth going just to see that!
ITF NEWS
The ITF World Championships (junior and senior) will be held in Quebec, Canada during May 31st June 3rd 2007. Visit www. itfwcquebec2007.com for everything you wanted to know about the event - but were afraid to ask! ITF Austria has launched a media kit for its instructors. The kit includes an ITF poster with a blank space at the bottom so you can add information about your association before printing it. It also includes a 2007 calendar with dates relating to ITF events and a pocket-sized card bearing the ITF Credo and The Students Oath. A sample business card allows you to simply add your personal contact information.
THE MAN, THE MYTH
Federation of Martial Arts

Are you a Martial Artist? Then Read This.... We currently cater for a membership of over 60 Organisations, in which many of our groups have an open door policy wherein you will receive their respective circulations of Courses, Championships etc, direct from us. All it takes is a phone call to determine eligibility. Why miss out! The Council members of the F.M.A. are all time served Martial Arts practitioners, and have an inhouse policy of low interference with the running of their Clubs or Associations. All we ask is that applicants possess a minimum of 100 students to enable them to join direct, or if less, we can put you in touch with one of our existing members to serve as an umbrella group until you achieve the required status. To apply direct to the F.M.A. all you need to do is write, phone or fax direct to the Hon. Secretary:Mr. D. A. Carruthers (Alan), 198 Meadow Road, Beeston Rylands, Nottingham, NG9 1JR Tel/Fax: 0115 925 0167. We look forward to seeing or hearing from you, and hope that you take this opportunity to become part of our Federation. We cater for any size of Organisation who applies for membership.
THE STRIPPER
TAGB black belt and World Champion Ben Parr made his debut recently on our TV screens as stripper Freddie in the soap opera Hollyoaks. His character has moved in with the ever- feisty Nancy Hayton (played by Jessica Fox). It was a really tough call on my first day on set said Ben, who has trained with Kenny Walton for the past 12 years. I had to do a one-toone strip and as you can imagine it was quite a test of confidence, but all my years of competing really came into play and I managed to keep my nerve.
A TRIBUTE TO ENOEDA
In conjunction with Kamae the KUGB has produced a DVD tribute to former Chief Instructor, the late Sensei Enoeda. The disc contains interviews with Sensei Enoeda, Mrs. Enoeda and the KUGBs most senior instructors. It contains much previously unseen footage and is a must for all students of karate.
FIGHTING FIT IN SCHOOLS

A school in Bury St Edmunds is revolutionising PE lessons with the help of a martial artist! Local man Billy Wappett has been appointed to make PE lessons more attractive to pupils! From now on, pupils will be able to learn kick-boxing as well as the usual sports such as rugby, netball and football.
PUMA
PUMA Tang Soo Do Coordinator Steve Weyman recently went to tackle four criminals as they attempted to break into a car. He and his son-in-law subdued two of them before the third stabbed Steve in the shoulder with a screwdriver. Steve Weyman is now recovering at home, while the two thieves he and his sonin-law caught are currently helping police with their enquiries.. Well done, Steve! And get well soon!
JACKIE, THE SONG & DANCE MAN

Jackie Chan has often compared his film fight choreography to dancing and it seems like the Hong Kong Dance Alliance agrees. On February 6, 2007 Jackie was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to body movement art. The Hong Kong Dance Alliance has members from all sectors of the Hong Kong dance community. Mr. Chan incorporated diverse body movements into movies, facilitating an exchange between martial arts and dance. Everyone can see for themselves the creativity of this unique movie language, said Anna Chan, Chairwoman of the Hong Kong Dance Alliance. She also praised him for his ongoing support of the Hong Kong dance community.
BONG SOO HAN

Bong Soo Hans name is synonymous with hapkido. A pioneer in the martial arts movies, it was Grandmaster Han who made Billy Jack one of the most famous early martial arts films ever released. Grandmaster Han felt it was important to ensure that standards never slipped so he promoted only 100 students to black belt in the 35 years he spent teaching in the United States. Grandmaster Han finally lost his 2-year battle with cancer on Monday 8th January 2007. He was aged 75.
Ring Now for Details....

q Full information and guidance on Dan gradings q Full UK Registration and Insurance Cover q All Martial Arts catered for including reputable Kickboxing clubs q On line support if and when required q Full access to our Multi-Style Federation q International Affiliations welcome q No over political activities, just Martial Arts q Dont waste time. Telephone today!
The Federation of Martial Arts is an Affiliate Member of F.E.K.O. which is one of the Largest Organisations within the UK.
TERRA COTTA SOLDIERS AT THE LOWRY!

Many say that the Chinese State Circus has changed traditional entertainment forever. Whatever your view, acrobats will be joining forces with masters of martial arts, and fabled characters from the worldfamous Peking Opera - including the Monkey King, will be hosting an all-new production that includes flying warriors, acrobatic terracotta soldiers and the woman of a hundred faces. The artists have been selected from seven different troupes in China and youll see back-flipping acrobats spiralling through rotating hoops, contortionists, Chinese pole balancing and a beautifully set and costumed performance of the Lion Dance.
Tel:0115 925 0167

FEK001/02
BONG SOO HAN
CAGE RAGE RATINGS CONTINUE TO GROW!
ON YER BIKE!
CAGE RAGE RATINGS CONTINUE TO GROW!

Thanks to its fast-growing army of loyal fans, Cage Rage continues to be one of the UKs biggest MMA events - both in live and in on-screen formats. Cagerage.tv is generous in thanking everybody who gave their time to be interviewed, including Mark Epstein, Dave Legeno, Lee Doski, Grant Waterman, Cabbage, Butterbean, Elvis Sinosic, the Ring Girls etc etc. Lets hope that they are also able to get this back to Freeview! Wouldnt it be great to see the UKs premier event back in front of the majority of the population?
please contact: Paul Gray, BKA PRO, Email: bka.pro@kendo. org.uk Tel 020 7403 3990 Phil McLaughlin, Leader of Southamton Kendo Club, mclaugp@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 07787 515341
ON YER BIKE!
Aidan Trimble (7th dan) has opened the new FSK Honbu dojo in Nottingham. The Venue is the former Humber Works - a large factory built during the late 1800s and famous for making Humber bikes. The floor space has been extensively re-habbed with a new lounge, changing facilities, a large matted area, air-conditioned hall and reception. The dojo has mirrors down one side of the hall and makiwara on the other. You can watch training from the lounge area thanks to cameras in the dojo.
THE TEESIDE TALLY

Teessides Northern Tang Soo Do martial arts club beat 35 rival squads to win the team prize at the WTSDA Midland Championships in Birmingham. In fact the club won 28 individual trophies and placed third in team hyungs to collect the award. Their tally included 5 first places, 13 second places and 10 thirds. They were also awarded the Most Supportive Club Trophy.
FORTY YEARS OF THE KUGB

You can buy the KUGBs 40th Anniversary Souvenir Publication for 6 (including post & packing). The publication contains 68 full-colour pages and it could well become a collectors item. It includes profiles on Senseis Enoeda, Sherry and all KUGB 4th dans and above. There is also a section on the key events, which shaped the KUGB since it began in 1966. Make your cheque out to KUGB and mail it to PO Box 3 Wirral CH43 6UU.
famous family that pioneered kickboxing. She was one of the first women to fight on the allwomen boxing card in California on July 13, 1979. She is also credited with fighting at Madison Square Garden in an event covered by the ABC Wide World of Sports. She really changed martial arts for women, said Michael Matsuda, founder of the Martial Arts History Museum in Santa Clarita. She was one of the few women champions in the 1970s and one of a handful of pioneers who spurred women into full-contact karate, as kick-boxing was originally known, he said.
PORTSMOUTH & SOUTHAMPTON KENDO CLUBS LAUNCH CHARITY COMPETITION

London, 5th February 2007: South coast based practitioners of the Japanese martial art of kendo (fencing) are held a competition on Saturday, 3rd February at the St. Lukes Community Centre, Portsmouth, in aid of the Macmillan Cancer Support. The competition was organised jointly by the Southampton and Portsmouth kendo clubs, with the support of the British Kendo Association and raised 488 for the charity. The results were: 1st Stuart Gibson (UCL Kendo Club). 2nd Will Wright (London City Kendo Club) 3rd Justin Ruddle (Horsham Club), Terashima Shuichi (Leader of Portsmouth Kendo Club), Fighting Spirit: Neil Sharp (UCL Kendo Club) Commenting on the competition, Phil McLaughlin, leader of the Southampton Kendo Club, said: This is the first year of what we hope will become an annual competition. We are delighted that the proceeds will be going to such a worthy charity and hope to attract participants from across the country. For further information,
EKK NEWS
Sensei Enzo reports that Andrew Kanias has opened a sister club in Wales called Wales Karate Kan while Anthony Everitt has opened another club in Italy named Italia Karate Kan.
WORLD MARTIAL ART GAMES 2008

The next World Martial Arts games will be held in India during 2008 and WFK UK plans to be there with a team! The WFK is the only kick-boxing organisation in the world recognised to enter these games. The President of the IOC will open the Games because the International Martial arts Games Committee (based in Korea) is recognised by the IOC and the WFK is now working closely with the IOC towards Olympic recognition for kick-boxing. If this is successful, then kick-boxers wanting to represent the UK at the Olympics will only be able to do so under the WFK banner!
EGKAS 24TH EUROPEAN GASSHUKU

EGKAs 24th European Gasshuku will be held in Bournemouth between July 21st and 28th 2007. Sensei Higaonna (9th dan) will lead the training. He will be assisted by Bakkies Laubscher (8th dan) and Europes most senior instructors.
ITF IN OZ
Grandmaster Rhee confirmed the dates for his visit to Australia in 2007 after he returned from the European Championships held in Thessalonica, Greece. Rhee will teach at two seminars in Melbourne and in Queensland. The dates are May 19-20 and 26-27, 2007.
SPONSORSHIP NEEDED
The good news is that Chris Tully has been selected to represent Great Britain at the World University Championships, which are to be held in New York during the summer. The bad news is that he has to pay for the trip himself! This means raising around 1,000.00. The BWKU is looking at ways to help Chris raise money - so please contact them if you can offer any help or suggestions! COMBAT April 2007 Page 55
ALEXIS MARKOKONSTANTINOS
AETF Deputy Secretary General Alexis Markokonstantinos (Greece) died on Tuesday 2nd January as a result of a heart attack. Alex worked tirelessly at promoting his art and is remembered also for his amazing ability to speak nearly every European language! His warmth and friendship will be greatly missed by the taekwondo community.
IN MEMORIAM
The late Lily Rodriguez was one of the most versatile featherweights in womens boxing during the 70s and early 80s. She enjoyed many successes as a kick-boxer, and came from a
WFK COMES
TO THE UK!
D
ell Mann, Vice President of WFK and Chairman of WFK Pro in Europe recently came back from a meeting in Paris (Jan 16th -18th), where WFK and EFK instructors from all over Europe come together to talk about the way forward. The biggest news for UK practitioners is that they have established a Head Office for WFK/EFK UK and have appointed the administration team. Members of the team are: WFK UK PRESIDENT - Dell Mann WFK UK Technical Chairman Master Goff Bates WFK UK Secretary - Miss Karen Mayes All that remains now is for a Vice President to be appointed. The UK Executive committee has also now been appointed and consists of: WFK UK President - Dell Mann WFK UK Technical Chairman - Master Goff Bates WFK UK Secretary - Miss Karen Mayes WFK UK Executive Committee Member - Mr Phil Swanwick WFK UK Executive Committee Member - Mr Peter Parker Colman Whats different about the WFK and the EFK however? Unlike many other organisations they are truly non-profit making and with this in mind have opened a bank account under WFK UK, where all money from sanctioned events will go. This means that every penny is accounted for and that all members of the admin team and the technical committee are able to view the books and ensure that the money is being used correctly. The WFK UK guarantees that ALL the money goes back to the members, fighters teams and to further the organisation of the art in this country. When asked, what does the WFK UK offer promoters and kick boxers Del replied; We offer all the official paperwork needed for the show at least four weeks before the event. This includes all the official score cards, weigh-in sheets, you name it, its all provided. Advertising is also done in the magazines and on the two official websites. We also plan to offer more international competitions abroad. The World Martial Arts Games is held every 2 years. The last one was in Korea and saw 25,000 spectators coming to watch that event. There are videos of this on the WFK website. We have the fighters best interests at heart and truly want them to feel valued. All of our title belts are handmade to order and come in a presentation case and will be on show at the presentations. Every title belt is different. However, we recognise that not everyone can be a champion but can still be a good fighter. With this in mind, every show in which the judges think a fighter has done well (regardless of whether they win or not) the WFK and EFK will pay for a handmade belt to be awarded on the night. How many other organisations can you name that do that?
WFK UK has a trip to India planned! 2008 will see the next World Martial Arts games, which will be held in India with WFK UK planning to take a team. The WFK is the only kickboxing organisation in the world recognised to enter these games but even more importantly, opening the games will be the President of the IOC. This is because the International Martial arts Games Committee based in Korea, is recognised by the IOC and the WFK is now working closely with the IOC towards Olympic recognition for kickboxing. Kickboxers interested in seeing kickboxing gain Olympic recognition and representing the UK at the Olympics will only be able to do so under the WFK banner. WFK UK EGM WFK UK sent out an invitation to all their members in order to tell everyone what was agreed at the meeting in Paris earlier this year. At this meeting Shawn Burton, who won the first EFK title fight in November, and who was present with a standing belt due to issues with supply was presented with the official title belt. Master Goff Bates was also shown the high esteem in which the WFK hold him as he was presented with Honorary Grand Master degree. Master Goff recently accepted the position of Technical Committee chairman which Dell Mann says is a big honour for the WFK UK.
DOUBLE IMPACT!
An open forum with
Master Cris Janson-Piers & Kerry-Louise Norbury
Outward Bound
A Bridge Too Far?
his month Kerry-Louise and Cris Janson-Piers will be talking about outward bound type courses, the direct benefits to martial artists, and the trials and tribulations. There are many martial arts schools and kickboxing camps that run these types of courses throughout the country and many open them up to anyone, even members of the public. All areas are covered, such as self improvement, competitive spirit between oneself and another singular competitor, whilst not forgetting team building, team spirit and group participation. Self- improvement, self- confidence and self- motivation are key areas in martial arts and indeed in all sports. Many times we have seen a person in the gym leave out his last set of weights because theres no one pushing him, or he or she slows down at the end of a run and doesnt have that final push to try and better his own time. This type of course puts participants at the mercy of the organising instructors. They provide the push, create the desire and the student has to come up with the goods - sometimes actually pushing themselves harder and further than they have ever achieved before. Cris states I expect from the student no more than the demands I had to meet myself on similar types of courses in the past. Being Ex- Forces, and also using an HMS Prison Services PTI, ensures the students reach their full potential, sometimes the participants actually shock themselves. Kerry-Louise, who still competes professionally in kickboxing and is to turn Professional as a boxer very shortly, actually takes the indoor circuit elements to such courses as she is more than qualified and trains on these and other gruelling sets of exercises along with her ring work six days a week.
Medicine Ball sit ups
Kerry-Louise states I really enjoy constructing the circuits for the competitors. I make sure that the participant is in for a full body work out, and that their cardiovascular element is tested to the full. Some of the courses have a one day element and some are over a weekend. Shorter basic courses can involve children but some stipulate an over 18 years age restriction because of the severity or possible hazards that cannot be ignored. Cris and Kerry-Louises Team Survival is split into three different modules; the basic course, an Elite and an Extreme. The latter two allow participation by adults only. As most of the courses which different organisations run have a huge fitness, stamina and hand-eye co-ordination element to them, they usually include masses of physical exercises, which may include running. As all martial artists are not solely runners and some not suited to excessively long distances the running element is or can be hidden within several of the exercises. A typical basic course could look something like the one below and the duration could be anything between 5-6 hours. All students must be physically fit and must have no illnesses or injuries that may affect their training or put themselves at further risk.
Gym Section
Warm up and stretch 2-3 Circuits, working in pairs to give that initial desire for a competitive edge, with timed stations on a preset timer so there is no time for rest apart from the appointed time of a 15 second station change over. Consisting of: 1. Short sprint shuttle runs (lying down at the end of each run, then getting up and running as your partner reaches your start line). 2. There are always specialised sections on Ply Metrics (This being a series of exercises that develop power and the muscles and fibres for explosive exertion). Examples such as Medicine Ball against the wall, or thrown from the chest. Throwing a Medicine Ball back to your partner above you whilst they keep the return continuous is another. The use of stronger exercise bands has the same effect and theres the hurdle jumps.
Blind Chase
Elevated press ups in freezing cold running stream water. One slip or a fail and youre in!
The list of this type of training is extensive and extremely beneficial to the martial artist. 3. Press ups 4. Crunches 5. Medicine Ball sit ups 6. Relay floor cone touching 7. Weighted exercises (A large variation of weights must be supplied to suit individual needs and supervision must be by a professional) 8. Dipping is a good all time favourite, along with bar pull ups (used extensively in military or public services pre selection testing). Similar exercises also such as squatting or lunges, not necessarily with weights as these can be performed rapidly and lightly with ones own body weight to affect the fast twitch fibres. A short warm down from high level activity is employed and a short water break is allowed, during which the instructors can visibly assess the condition of any participant before preparing them for the second outdoor stage. The list of exercises above could be endless, but these are laid out just to give an idea of the demands made upon everyone. Notice the lack of martial arts techniques. This is for two reasons: one is so anyone from any walk of life can attend and participate and the other is because the exercises are all based around the fitness, stamina, movement and agility needed for our sport, whichever martial art you are involved in. Cris then commented about the past when he trained under the tutelage of Sensei Phil Milner and John Robinson, saying, the courses today are hard and demanding, but the traditional element that was involved years ago would today be seen as possibly dangerous and high risk. However, with societys acceptance constantly changing, the courses and their content have to be adapted to suit allowances and requirements. We conduct a full safety assessment before all our courses are allowed to go ahead and the courses are as hard as we are allowed to make them within the guidelines. Kerry-Louise added I experienced the brunt end of the training Cris used to have to go through himself, as his courses were still accepted when I was a youngster but I have been here through all the changes. Although we are now more restricted, our courses are still designed to get the best out of the individual, but with safety in mind at all times With a superb location of a local wooded and recreation area on hand, which is owned and maintained by the local council, made it very easy for such a course to be designed. May we add that respect and care must always given to the local countryside! A short 1 mile run, mainly down hill, seems quiet easy on the way there, but what the people on the course seem to forget is that after they have completed the course the run home is ALL uphill!
facilities. The courses are usually designed near February so the weather may be a little harder than usual, snow or rain, the course still goes ahead! Examples of some of the course sections are below, bearing in mind different courses throughout the country differ in format, but the general idea remains the same. A double sided mud hill run with a river bridge crossing in between always is a good start. Competitors have to go against one another twice, not knowing who is being timed or when, ensuring they have to put 100% into both attempts. Safety marshals are at the ready with bump pads so the guys do not go in the river, but it is still very daunting on the way down! Another great individual motivator: Two students are placed either side of a circular set of trees. Unable to see the other person, they have to run round in a circle as fast as they can, catch sight of them and try to touch them. Then it is reversed. A seemingly easy and deceiving exercise is an elevating ladder run, when hands and feet must touch all rungs in a monkey run fashion. The fun starts when the participant turns around and starts off downhill. The rungs are actually treads in steps in the hillside. The nearest Cris course gets to the courses of the past is the elevated press ups in freezing cold running stream water. One slip or a fail and youre in! A military style press up over a mud bath, where one student tries to take the arms of the other competitor and sends them face down into the mud. Three downs usually makes sure both get a fair chance of dropping the other! Games like TEAM Rugby or Tug of War are always used at the end of these types of courses, as it brings everyone back into a working group and promotes teamwork. This is another area that is so important to martial artists, as they often have to travel abroad and work with and support each other.
Two students give an account of the last course they went on:
Eliza Skill (Student): I must say that my dad, who is now in the veterans category for points karate went on Team Survival in Yorkshire and he said if I can do it you are doing it! I am competing at the moment for my country and he is adamant that I prepare in every way possible for my future competitions. Hard wasnt the word, but it was also great fun. There were times when you think Oh no, I cannot carry on, but everyone gets behind you and you feel like you have to do it for them also. I would recommend this type of course to anyone. I believe I personally excelled and I feel that my efforts actually gained me more respect from my club mates and team members and vice versa! Taking part in rugby and the tug of war allowed me to show the guys that we girls have got what it takes also. Martin Wheatley (Club Instructor, Team Captain on the day): Testing, rewarding and a great day are words and phrases I would use for this excellent variation to a martial artists training. We are all used to getting on our Gi and going down to the gym. This system gives the benefits I require as a martial artist but added an entirely different approach to my training. The course instructors were firm but friendly and got the best out of everyone whilst ensuring their safety was of the utmost importance. I would highly recommend my own students to go on this type of course and would certainly do this type of thing again, great for team building More advanced and weekend courses can involve abseiling, canoeing, camping, route finding/map reading and high rope work or assault courses. All great fun, but professional instructors in this field must be used. A welcoming sight after all this is home base, where coffee or soup and a hot shower are always more than welcome! Contacting any reputable organisation will allow you access to this type of training; its not just fun but massively beneficial with a great sense of achievement gained by all. Maybe your own instructor can devise such a course?
Outdoor Section
Exercises and tasks for the outdoor section are dependant on
The Team
Good Luck!
SHAOLIN GONGFU
SELF-DEFENCE TECHNIQUES
1
T
3
his month we continue our new Shaolin Gongfu self-defence techniques regular feature and I am pleased that Shifu Shi Henglong has afforded us the opportunity to display another aspect to Gongfu training in these dynamic pictorial features.
Party A and Party B stand opposite to each other. (Fig.1)
Party B attack: Party B grab Party As right wrist with his right hand (Fig.2)
Party A defend: Party A press Party Bs right hand with his left hand (Fig.3-4) Then twist his right hand towards right and grab Party Bs wrist. Press party Bs wrist and make Party B unable to move (Fig.5)
(Supplied by Shifu Shi Henglong from Chinese Wushu Academy UK. For more info, please visit www.chinesegongfu.info)
By Shifu Shi Henglong

BOXINGS BIGGEST
FIGHT...MMA! Will Mixed Martial Arts ground and pound the noble art? A
throwback to the glory days of Nigel Benn and Frank Bruno, World Champion Ricky The Hitman Hatton is one of the few current British boxers exciting the fans and drawing big crowds wherever he fights. His assault on America continued successfully when he regained his light welterweight title from Juan Urango in Las Vegas. Whilst the papers sports pages covered his victory in depth, it was the side-bar in the Daily Mails report that really stoked the fires of a growing
Now MMA is mainstream and as boxing and its rival square off, who will win the battle for both the fans and media coverage?
debate, namely whether or not boxing has lost its mainstream fanbase to MMA. The piece noted that in Vegas, spiritual home of the UFC, when Joe Public talks about the big fight or the champ, they are not talking about the boxers anymore but the likes of Chuck Liddell and Matt Hughes. This report reinforces the rapid global rise of MMA in a very short space of time, to the point that the boxing fraternity is now recognising the threat provided to its popularity from franchises such as The UFC in America, Pride in
Japan and Cage Rage here in Britain, with crowds of up to 8,000 packing into Wembley Arena for our home grown MMA showcase. Even professional wrestling is now looking over its shoulder, as its pay-per-view ascendancy is being eroded by the MMA machine. Showtime, a boxing stalwart has looked at the maths and is now in negotiation with Elite Xtreme Combat, the new kid on the MMA block in the States, given that MMA pay per view figures are trashing those from boxing. The rise of MMA has been phenom-
enal and shocking, as the early UFC was raw, limited and self-defeating, trading on the prospect of blood, guts and brutality to fill its seats. As a result, it seemed doomed to minor cult status, especially as the advertising backfired and many States banned it as barbaric. A change in ownership saw the emphasis shift and marketing dollars were ploughed into a charm offensive and, for the first time, the battle lines were drawn with boxing, as much of the UFCs campaign centred on the fact that, statistically, MMA was safer than boxing. It worked too and a new user-friendly UFC burst onto the scene. Now MMA is mainstream and as boxing and its rival square off, who will win the battle for both the fans and media coverage, the Old Champ or the New Kid on the Block? As it stands, everything seems to favour the new guy and boxing only just seems to be waking up to the threat. Two major factors are at work here. The first is that, with or without an MMA rival, boxing has been in decline for a number of years. The Heavyweight division, boxings flagship, is at an all time low, with no one fighter capturing the imagination or gaining credibility since Lewis battered Tyson and then retired himself. The gaping hole these two men left simply hasnt been filled and doesnt look likely to be filled in the near future. Boxing will always have a hardcore fanbase, Im a huge boxing fan myself and there are credible champions in the lower weights and some real characters but nowhere near as many as in previous years, for example the seventies and eighties, when every champ seemed charismatic and worthy of coverage. In contrast, the MMA champions are the new superstars and poster boys for a generation, as exemplified when Chuck Liddell was besieged by fans at last years Seni show. More youngsters, it seems, are aware of Chuck, Tito and Wanderlai than they are the current crop of boxing champions, Hatton and Joe Calzaghe aside, and they are perceived as more exciting and credible. The second point was brought into focus by the Daily Mail article, where the reporter seemed amazed that this brutal and barbaric sport was winning fans at the expense of the noble art. The article proved that boxing still sees MMA in its first incarnation and, as a result, maintains an air of smug superiority, burying its head in the sand and failing to recognise the changes the sport has undergone, not realising that many believe MMA to be a safer alternative. This complacency could prove costly, as more and more satellite channels fight to acquire mixed martial arts shows. Cage Rage founders Dave ODonnell and Andy Geer have a nightly magazine
show on the fight channel, when has boxing ever had this? A final factor that tips the balance in favour of MMA is something that boxing has no control over and that is the fact that MMA is new. Whatever the industry, whenever something new comes along it has an advantage; a freshness, a novelty, whatever you want to call it, that puts established brands at a disadvantage, as the only tools at their disposal they have to react to this new phenomenon is the same old tools theyve always had and it can look stale by comparison. In this particular case, MMA has the vitality of youth, a dynamic combat sport still growing and evolving, whereas boxing is simply boxing, an institution weve grown up with and probably take for granted. Certainly, there isnt the buzz about boxing there used to be, a fact Sylvester Stallone utilises at the heart of his Rocky Balboa script. Sadly the old or established tends to only realise the threat once it is too late-one day were all watching video, the next DVDs are the thing and so it is with Boxing and MMA. Despite always being put forward as the combat sport of the people, a bluecollar bastion, Boxing has always been aloof when it comes to the fans. The nearest the fans often get to their heroes is when they make the long walk to the ring and the vision of the boxing champ surrounded by bodyguards as he gets out of his flash car is still a potent one. By contrast the MMA fraternity has worked hard on rewarding its fanbase, the champions are perceived as working Joes and regularly mingle with the fans, even before and after big fights. This accessibility is a big factor and one that boxing could learn from; Cage Rage fighters are available for autographs and photos at the beginning of the show and this inter-action is reaping dividends in public relations terms.
Boxing cannot combat this new rival simply by claiming the moral high ground as the noble art, citing the brutal nature of MMA. Not only is the argument nave, in real safety terms, MMA is coming out the winner in medical circles, as previously mentioned. On a wider note, as much as I personally love boxing, when has it ever really been noble? Entrenched Mob influence is well documented, Don King has carved up the heavyweight division for decades and the consistent battering a boxer takes to his head and the fatalities that occur are indefensible when compared to MMA and the vision of the punch drunk pug is a universal staple in certain types of movies. Boxing will never die-out as a spectator sport but I believe it will bottom out, just as interest in MMA will peak, however, by the time both these things happen I think a new world order will have been established and it will be MMA that is in ascendancy...until something new comes along, of course. What do you think?
combat.magazine@btclick.com
A living legend with a dream M

artial arts and action film star Chuck Norris is, quite simply, fast becoming a legend. Many people believe that he is a legend already. He is certainly possessed with a great deal of selfbelief and religious conviction and these have given him the ability to aim much higher than most people and to achieve the targets that he sets. Norris was moved as he watched Martin Luther King on television as he spoke outside the Lincoln Memorial and now, like King, Norris has a dream. Kings posing of Lifes most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others? has remained with Norris all this time and has been the catalyst for a lot of what he is doing. Norris states on WND Your sphere of influence may not be as expansive. Your cause may not be as grandiose. And your sacrifice may not be as costly or noticeable. Nevertheless, your calling to serve others is as inherent in your design as it was in his. Thats the one thing King couldnt do - as powerful as a figure as he was, he could not force anyone to follow suit in using their influence to help others. He could inspire others to dream, but he could not drive them to sacrifice for those dreams. No leader can. As King said, Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness. Norris strongly believes that by using your gifts, talents and influence for others good, rather than your own you can help change the world and society as a whole. No matter how little, any change is a good change. Norris follows the 12 maxims below, using them to guide his life; 1. I will develop myself to the maximum of my potential in all ways. 2. I will forget the mistakes of the past and press on to greater achievements. 3. I will always be in a positive frame of mind and convey this feeling to every person that I meet. 4. I will continually work at developing love, happiness and loyalty in my family and acknowledge that no other success can compensate for failure in the home.
CHUCK NO
5. I will look for the good in all people and make them feel worthwhile. 6. If I have nothing good to say about a person, I will say nothing. 7. I will give so much time to the improvement of myself that I will have no time to criticize others. 8. I will always be as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own. 9. I will maintain an attitude of openmindedness toward another persons viewpoint while still holding fast to that which I know to be true and honest. 10. I will maintain respect for those in authority and demonstrate this respect at all times. 11. I will always remain loyal to God, my country, family and my friends. 12. I will remain highly goal-oriented throughout my life because that positive attitude helps my family, my country, and myself. He has also adopted these maxims as the tenets of Chun Kuk Do (chung gook do) using the creed of Discipline, Integrity, Loyalty and Respect. For 30 years Norris has dreamt about turning the excitement of the individual sport of combat martial arts into a team event that will capture the imagination of the masses. The culmination of this dream has been the formation of the World Combat League (WCL). Norris states that The WCL brings together martial arts experts by region in a team format - six combat warriors against six combat warriors. Each team represents their city, their team, and their individual skills in an all out striking war. There is no wrestling or grappling to slow down the action. In addition to this, the rules penalise fighters who waste time or avoid fighting. There is no gamesmanship allowed, the action is non-stop and the website is full of awesome knockouts. Norris isnt stopping there however as this is one part the dream that he and his wife Gena share. The official charity of the WCL is Kickstart. This is where Norris true nature shines forth. Not satisfied with creating a new combat format that has excellent revenue prospects he has decided to take all of the profits to help at-risk youth across the United States. Norris continues That is what we have purposed in our hearts and is our lifes mission, by far my most important undertaking. This isnt just an important undertaking, its a monumental and heartwarming undertaking from someone who (had he been inclined) could sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labour selfishly. Its a shame that many other celebrities and exceedingly rich people arent seen to be doing this. Other notables known for their charitable nature include Bill Gates (see hes not such a bad guy) and Jackie Chan (bet you expected that though). Norris charity, Kickstart is a character building, life-skills program whose fundamental purpose is to give students the tools to strengthen their self image. The result of a child developing a strong sense of self-awareness and inner- strength, is that they are better armed to resist peer pressure, including drug and alcohol use and involvement in gangs. As we all know, martial arts training provides students with the core values, beliefs and philosophies that people associate with leading a productive and healthy life. With society going the way it is, isnt this something that every country needs? Norris continues That is what we are all about: to give every child a chance for a productive life in which they can achieve their goals and dreams. Kickstart is actively working in 37 of the public schools in Texas. We have over 5,000 middle school students learning the philosophies of the martial arts in order to live a more productive life and make healthy choices for themselves. Not one to aim too low Norris says Someday, it is our vision to have this prevention program in every school in America! I want to see the 5,000 students multiply into millions of students and beyond. This is indeed a great undertaking and indeed a breathtaking vision for anyone who wants to see the sport they love spread whilst being able to help society. Norris continues, I heard it said once that it only took 2 percent of our population to create our nation ... So if you dont like what you see, be a part of the 2 percent! It took somewhat longer and more people to found this country but the message cannot be denied. Society needs strong role models and these role models
RRIS
by
Matthew Sylvester
need to be part of society. Aside from religious leaders who, in our increasingly secular and non-Christian society have less and less influence, martial artists are often the most prominent members of our society. Who else has access to large numbers of people on a regular basis from such a diverse range of class, culture and occupations than martial artists? Who else is able to influence the views, thought patterns and even physical condition (in a positive manner of course) of large numbers of people on a regular basis from such a diverse range of class, culture and occupations than martial artists? I can think of no other sport in which the coaches/instructors are viewed as being paragons of society and who are expected to behave as perfect examples of society. So, do you think we can make such a change? Are you willing to do so?
recently had dealings with an instructor who for the life of him couldnt figure out why his club was failing and he was losing money: As a martial artist he was excellent but as a coach he couldnt see past macho. He would run classes for 2 hours or more at a time and there is no denying that his sessions were hard and full of technical content but he was always bemoaning the fact that he couldnt keep running at a loss for a handful of dedicated students. The students that he had were undoubtedly fearless and craved macho but these were just a handful of dedicated people who lived and breathed Martial Arts. From my encounters with many instructors over recent years, this is not an isolated incident and I know of a number of them who have given up, totally disillusioned with teaching Martial Arts. I was talking with an old acquaintance of mine the other week who is now a successful TAGB instructor, and we both concurred that how we trained and what we did in training many years ago is no longer acceptable today, albeit that Martial Artists may be the less for it. Todays society is totally different from the one when we began training in the late nineteen sixties and early seventies, when classes were at least two hours in duration, if not more, and the severity of the training regime was somewhat brutal in the norm. The fabric of our social structure has changed and the demands for time and attention in all spheres of our daily lives are so much greater. People are now ritually accustomed to dividing their time up into small segments in order to juggle with the demands placed upon them and this is something that needs to be considered by instructors if they want to be more successful. Offering one 2 hour session two times
MONDAY (C) 4:15-5:00 5:00-5:45 5:45-6:30 6:30-7:15 7:15-8:00 8:00-8:45 Kickin Cubs Open House Junior Kickboxing Tae Kwon Do white to yellow Senior Kickboxing All Grades Tae Kwon Do Green to Black
INSTRUCTORS... EVOLVE OR FAIL!

per week might be ideal, but in the real world it might be better to divide this up into three or four 45 minute sessions over a week covering various topics in each given period set up on a rotating basis, perhaps as per the schedule shown below:In my opinion an instructor should aim to give quality time instead of quantity of time during a teaching environment and students can often put more effort into a shorter period than pacing themselves over a longer time span. This is not just good physically but also creates a desire to learn as well as a necessity to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills in targeted time periods. Just as with the earliest development of Martial Arts in bygone centuries, everything is changing and evolving and nature has a way of ensuring that which does not have the ability to evolve and adapt is doomed to extinction. When I began training in Martial Arts, it was an unquestionable fact that it was you who had to adapt to the demands of the Martial Arts and never the other way around. In contrast it is more often the case in todays twenty first century society that instructors need to adapt to the demands of society if they wish to have larger groups of students in a bigger and more successful school. With a vast majority of people in Martial Arts being children, capturing their attention span for longer than forty five minutes or an hour is sometimes quite challenging and rather than allowing them to get bored and an instructor become frustrated it is a simple solution to adapt the time frame to suit the child in order to enable them to enjoy Martial Arts as a productive activity rather than see them become bored and lost to another passing fad. Likewise, parents, who might like to train in Martial Arts but are deterred from doing
WEDNESDAY (B) Kickin Cubs Tae Kwon Do white to yellow All Grades Tae Kwon Do white to yellow Tae Kwon Do Green to Black XMA team only! 8-8:45 A Class = Patterns/Forms Open House Senior Kickboxing All Grades Tae Kwon Do Green to Black Weapons Junior kickboxing All Grades Tae Kwon Do white to yellow Senior Kickboxing All Grades Tae Kwon Do Green to Black COMPETITIONS & COURSES THURSDAY (C)
By Andy Davies
so because they have to pick up a son from football or a daughter from gymnastics might find it more convenient to fit in a forty five minute session three times per week as part of a busy schedule. Keeping people happy is part of the key to success, but that doesnt mean you have to diminish your standards as some instructors might do. By creating a learning, and wanting to learn more, experience students are more likely to stay with you for longer during which time you can foster the growth of your school and the development of your members. Until the next time....
FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY
TUESDAY (A)
B Class = Sparring C Class = Self Defence/Step Sparring
A MISS IS AS
GOOD AS A MILE!
The importance of blocks in martial art training
locks are one of the least studied aspects of martial art training. They lag far behind attacking techniques in the interest stakes and the approach to them simply seems to be lets get the opponents technique out the way so I can clobber him (or her)! As though reflecting this attitude from earliest days, blocks seem to be the least refined part of syllabus. One type simply smashes the opponents attack with brute force. The other uses a primitive form of deflection to meet the opponents force at an angle. In both cases,
the emphasis is on blocking the technique. But in this article, we shall look at ways of blocking the opponent, so his follow-up technique is made difficult. I want to cover a number of general points in this article. The first is that the block must be made quickly enough to deal with a fast attack. This rules out the so called pulley-principle blocks which rely upon the pull-back of the non-blocking arm to generate power for the blocking action. It also rules out circular blocks. Both of these are great for dealing with the elbow-locking straight arm punches and strikes of basic technique but they are totally ineffective in
a sparring situation, where attacking techniques are drawn back immediately they miss. The rule is that all blocking actions must use the minimum of movement. Only then can they be employed quickly enough. If you think about it, this reduces all blocking actions to a short, crisp action in which deflection is achieved not by force, but by skill. Therefore all the mechanisms needed to generate force - pull-back, hip twist, circular movements, double arm swings etc - are ruled out. The second point I want to make is that blocks must not only aim for the minimum movement, but they must also try to achieve maximum deflection of the incoming technique. Novices often fail to achieve this, with the result that a punch aimed at the jaw is swept upwards by a rising block, into the forehead. Poor mid-section blocks deflect the techniques from the solar plexus into the ribs. Ineffective lower blocks sweep the kick into the hip. All these are symptoms of insufficient blocking action. Contrast them with the wide sweeps taught in basic blocks, where the attack is deflected well to the side. This is wasteful because it then takes longer to retrieve the blocking arm. Deflection must therefore be adequate but not excessive. The old saying a miss is as good as a mile applies here! The third point worth mentioning is the specificity of blocks. Many blocks are fairly specialised or restricted in their application and when they are misapplied, the attacking technique is not deflected. Specialised blocks are typically used by skilled martial artists who are able to correctly interpret the cues that tell them which attacking technique is on its way. Often these specialised blocks use only a small part of the
Blocks must also try to achieve maximum deflection of the incoming technique.
body - such as the palm of the hand - to sweep the attack in the correct direction. Now the palm of the hand has a pretty small deflection surface crosssection and if you are inaccurate when using it. Contrast this with forearm blocks. These use the whole length of the forearm, giving a sweep of up to 12 inches in height. Clearly this provides a much wider margin of error. Double blocks increase this margin yet further. The fourth point is that the blocking action must be applied correctly to the attacking technique. Blocks are usually active rather than passive. This is to say that they apply controlled force to deflect the attackers energy. Contrast this with passive blocking, where a limb is simply left in the path of the attack. Though deflection energies need not be great to achieve an effect, they nevertheless must be applied in the correct manner. Thus a lower parry must meet a front kick at 90 degrees, so the force of the kick does not add to the force of the block in terms of impact. Were this happen (and it regularly does!), the forearm nearly always loses its battle against the shin. Still on this fourth point, I want to mention how the blocking action can be made even more active by rotating the forearm. This both stiffens the arm and adds an extra sharpness to the blocking impact. The fifth point about blocks is that they should not be aimed solely at the attacking technique itself. I have never seen this point mentioned in any martial arts manual or syllabus, though it is an obvious one if you think about it. Thus an incoming punch is met with a forearm block and swept to the side. So what? If you have blocked on the wrong side, you have merely turned the opponents upper body and encouraged him to use his other fist. Even if you block him on his closed side, he is still able to withdraw and counter-attack. You must therefore always try to block into him crossing his techniques as you do so. Your block must always travel outwards from your body and towards the opponent. Never block with a sweep that travels from low to high, or from side to side. All truly effective blocking actions travel diagonally. There is a second benefit to doing this. The incoming technique requires both time and distance to develop full power and going out to meet it means deflecting it before full power is on tap. Furthermore, blocking well out from your body gives you a margin of error in which to do something should the block fail. Pity the poor martial artist who has blocked close to the body. Keep your chin out the way when going into the opponent! Many people lead with their faces as they close with the attacker. Keep your back near to vertical, though
a slight forward lean is permissible. Novices concentrate on the blocking action and ignore what the rest of the body is doing. Relax your shoulders but let them curve forward and above all keep control of how both arms operate not just the blocking arm. Always move both arms together and be economical with their action, never moving either more than is necessary. The sixth point is about always keeping your body turned so your centre line faces the opponent. This is critical! Each time you block, project your blocking energy through your own centre line. Do not do as so many schools do and turn your body away from the attack. This may cause the attack to miss but it also ensures that you are powerless to respond quickly and effectively. In many of the scooping blocks for example, you are obliged, having twisted away and blocked, to twist back before you can use a powerful strike. This violates the first rule of blocking in that you have added an unnecessary and time-consuming action. It is true that you could lash out with a back fist but you will find that whenever your centre-line faces away from the opponent, the power your strike generates is limited. Turn your body even as the opponent does, so you are always facing him squarely. Use the principle of line to stand in front and slightly to the one side of him, so you are facing him directly but he is slightly turned from you. Only an imperceptible displacement is necessary. Indeed, step too much and he will see what you are doing and turn to face you. Always keep your body directly turned towards his. The seventh point concerns the position of your hands as you block and it begins where an earlier comment left off. Block in such a manner that at least one of your hands is near the target. Only then can a counter attack be applied quickly enough. Beware blocking the opponent and then having to retrieve your non-blocking arm from the hip. Rather bring both fists close to the opponent so you can strike him quickly with either. The most advanced blocks combine deflection with a counter attack, so the opponents punch is first deflected, then the fist of the deflecting arm carries on into the opponents face. Such techniques, however, require a formidable level of skill. The eighth point reiterates and adds to one we looked at a moment ago. Do not let your block cross your own centre line. Not only is this unnecessary, it also makes the technique weak. Keep each hand to its respective side of the body and you will be able to use it directly. Lose control of your hands so they cross the centre line willy-nilly and you will first have to retrieve them
The importance of blocks? Need we say more!
before you can apply a powerful technique. But, I hear you argue, if my block doesnt cross the centre line, then the incoming technique will not be swept far enough to the side and it will still hit me! This would be true were it not for the fact that body evasion must be used to set you up in the correct position for any block. Dont just flail your arms about and expect them to stop a determined attack. A block response does not just entail moving your arms; you must position your body too. Re-read the paragraphs on centreline and combine your block with an angled advance into the opponent. My ninth point concerns the application of power during the blocking action. Typically novices focus their blocks and go for maximum power at the end of the movement. But what happens if the attack is faster than anticipated? Supposing a kick catches lower parry before the latter has taken up its final position? The novices arm is moving fast but it lacks energy, so the block fails and injury is likely. Trying to block with a rigid arm does not work either because taut muscles cause a loss of speed. The answer is to use wholebody energy and to move into the attack. Stepping back is not a valid response because a skilled opponent will then simply move forward and force you further onto the defensive. Aim to make the block effective throughout its range of movement, so even if you are caught unprepared, you arent left defenceless. You must be well guarded at all times. Remember - your block must be effective regardless of the circumstances in which it is used. A block must not only work effectively in the training hall - it should also work in the cinema, or on the street.
LEADING WORLD AUTHORITY
MIKE F I N Ns
BUNBU
SERIES
THE CHOKE AND STRANGLE Part 1
Chokes and strangles are part of various martial traditions, such as Judo and Jujutsu, however, in the public eye these type of techniques are seen as unacceptable, especially within law enforcement and similar professions. Lets explore the techniques, the applications, and the science behind this skill.
he art of strangulation is inherent in most countries combative culture. In India there were the Thugees, a sect derived from bandits, who used a type of scarf garrotte, with either a knot, or coin tied in the centre. In Victorian Britain, the used of the garrotte was common place among villains. Look at any picture of a Victorian policeman and you will notice the high collar of the jacket covering the neck. Underneath that a steel collar was often worn to minimise the risk of being garrotted from behind. In Japan the manrikkikusari (weighted chain) included similar techniques in its repertoire. The earliest type of strangulation technique was of course performed with the bare hands and this is the subject of these articles. With many empty hand fighting arts, strangulation skills can be found in the repertoire of techniques. In Japan these techniques were inherent in many schools of Jujutsu. In fact some schools made them a primary part of the system. In the groundwork kata of Judo (Katame-no-kata), there is a section called Shimewaza dealing exclusively with strangles. Old styles such as Daito Ryu and Tenshin Shinyo Ryu, which Jigoro Kano (founder of Judo) studied, have a
In this 1980s picture, Finn sensei has secured a strangle with manrikkikusari and is at the same time throwing his opponent.
ELI001/03
A Victorian police officer arresting a suspect. Note the high collar, which hid a steel neck band that prevented garrotting.
repertoire of strangles. Jigoro Kano formalized many of these and introduced them into Judo. In these articles I will be dealing with the physics and physiology behind strangles, as well as presenting evidence of the non- invasive nature of application by experienced exponents. However, in this months article I will talk about strangles from my own personal experience as a police officer in the 1960/1970 era. In this present age strangles are frowned upon as a means of restraining prisoners either extremely violent or beyond the pain threshold. Without proper execution of the techniques by experienced exponents, I would agree. However, I believe there is a place for their use in certain areas of restraint, but again I stress, by experienced exponents. When I first joined the police in the early 1960s, we were called to a man who drew a line on the pavement and said he would stab anyone who crossed it, in fact he did (not fatally) and police were called. The man ran into a room in his house, still holding the chisel he used. A large group of officers ran in with truncheons drawn and hit him repeatedly, he still held onto the chisel and chased them from the room. The police dog was sent in, but received an injury. More officers rushed the room and repeatedly hit the man with truncheons, this was again to little effect. Eventually, a quick thinking sergeant armed the men with dustbin lids (no shields in those days). After more blows the man released his grip on the chisel. He was taken away under escort by ambulance, his hands were black and blue, his head bleeding from the blows. It was clear that during the whole altercation, his body must have been pumping endorphins, making him insensitive to pain. If I were asked the question as to what would be more harmful, hitting someone repeatedly in this manner, or applying a strangle (to the point of unconsciousness), I would say the latter was less
invasive. If I were asked, what would be worse for a person with a weak heart (you must ask why a person with a heart condition would behave in this manner), I would say the trauma of repeated blows was as likely, if not more likely to aggravate such a heart condition. I can relate one incident from my direct experience in the early 1970s. I was called to a pub in the centre of London, where other officers had a Mexican stand of with a man who had a knife and had stabbed someone in the pub. When I arrived, the pub had been cleared, the doors guarded, and the man stood at the bar with the knife. I went in to talk to him, he thrust the knife forward and told me (using some Anglo Saxon) to get back. By keeping him in conversation, I got as close as I could and waited my moment. As these things are a one chance affair, I was in no hurry. I saw the moment and in an instant I grabbed the knife hand, holding his fingers on the handle so he could not change hands. I tried a straight arm lock, but because he was hyped up, the adrenaline rush had made him very strong. I was committed - my only choice was a strangle (not a choke). I managed to secure the arm, and with the other hand effect a strangle hold. It only took 10 seconds before he fell to his knees, his hand released the knife, and from that point it was not difficult to hand him over to the other officers. There was no injury, no after effects, just a few moments being dazed and confused. On one occasion a guy on Angel Dust was pinned to the floor by 8 officers, he just stood up and walked out of the police station with them hanging on. On this occasion I used a rear strangle to take him to the point of unconsciousness, which allowed the officers to secure him properly and get him in the cell. I reiterate here that it takes an experienced exponent to use this type of strategy. During my stay in Japan I attended a special course run by master Kotani sensei (10th dan). We were taught not only the correct application of strangles, but katsu (resuscitation skills). I am sure those who did this training will remember that we were paired up and had to strangle each other unconscious many times, as we took it in turns to effect the resuscitation (this was the 1960s, not recommended in todays climate of training). In the next article we can look at the application of strangles in more detail.
The acceptable modern day application of a choke, in the cage!
The Master of Combat Returns With a Challenge For Every Martial Artist on The Planet!
fter a 6 year absence from UK TV screens, it looks like Neil Axe, the founder of BBC2s Masters Of Combat and star of the Amiga video game Master Axe... is back with a vengeance! Here Neil gives us his first interview in 6 years.
another (the series was pulled after 9/11 due to its title). This event is looking to do the same thing, but this time, every day for 33 days, the goal for each Chase Team will be to outpace those others taking part and to thus win the right to compete against my MOC Team Fox members. Please bear in mind that since I staged the original event in 1988, no one has ever attempted to repeat it. Why? Because this challenge will mean you have to combine the endurance of a Tour de France cyclist, with the tactical brain of a Wizard at Chess, add a hint of the showmanship found in an American Gladiator, and cap it all off with the fighting skills of a true... Master Of Combat! Ive studied the martial way since I was 5 years old, thats 37 years for anyone whos interested, and Ive seen most things it has to offer, the spiritual, the sporting, the combat and the corporate, but never once have I met anyone who could truly compare to those, often long dead, olden times heroes. Where are the people like Pheidippides, Tsun Tzu, Nelson, Musashi, Churchill, Ike, Wellington, Shaka, Gandhi, Mandella, Luther-King, Ali & Bruce... Where are the marathon soldiers of our era? Where are the ultimate tactical strategists? Where are the original thinkers? Where are the new legends? So, here I am, providing you with your chance to write your teams name on a piece of martial history, I dont care what your race, your creed, your colour or your religious persuasion, I give not a fig for your titles, your styles or your dan grades; as I, Neil Axe, dare you to step forward and meet my team in the hardest physical contest ever set before a group of modern combat warriors. We intend to offer 100 teams (50 American & 50 International) the chance to compete against Team Fox over the 33 day duration of this event. Please be warned, alongside the physically arduous nature of this event itself, all those taking part will be solely responsible for their own health and safety, as on our original adventure in 1988 we had run-ins with dangerous drivers, street gang members and hostile law enforcement officials. Not too
COMBAT: Neil, prior to moving to New Zealand back in 1999 for 3 years, you were the Chief Instructor of the UKs first ever local government funded martial studio (1989 1999). Based in Aylesbury, the A.G.K. Academy had a reputation for having one of Britains hottest demo teams and an enviable track record of some 700+ title winners and 24 world gold medallists in events across the martial spectrum. So Neil, what are your plans for the future?
NEIL AXE: Well, apart from being intent on launching a couple of new TV series, Im in the process of founding the UKs first National Victims of Crime & Anti-Bullying Centre, a residential training and recovery program. Weve already taken on a 5,000 square foot premise set in 20 acres of land).
COMBAT: Could you please tell us more about these?

NEIL AXE: Sure, my first priority is a project called America Quest 2008 that will see a team of 4 of my Young Masters (3 of the 4 had parts in Neils BBC2 MOC TV series) repeat the journey of a team I lead across the USA in 1988. (Combat Note: The squad are made up of Neils 2 sons, Ryan (22) and Dale (17), alongside Byron Graham (25), the son of Michael Graham, one of his original 1988 team mates, and last but not least, Sport Karate 3rd Dan, Gregg Oliver (26).) Team Fox, as weve dubbed them, are set to cycle 3,300 miles from New York to Los Angeles. Theyll be covering 100 miles per day non-stop, over a 33 day period, and at the end of each day we aim for them to take on the daily Chase Team winners of our America Quest Challenge!
COMBAT: And what exactly is the America Quest Challenge?

NEIL AXE: Anyone who watched my MOC TV programs will remember that they aimed to provide a level playing field for all styles of martial arts to compete fairly against one
All you have to do if you want to take part, is: 1. Go to our website (www.AmericaQuest2008.com) and make 1 of the top 100 bids, to buy a slot for your group to be a member of our strictly limited Hounds & Huntsmen 100 Chase Teams. 2. Agree to abide by our events ethos, code of ethics, rules & regulations during the full-term of your involvement with us. 3. Pledge to be fully self-funded, physically capable, and totally committed to taking part from April 4th to the May 6th 2008.
1. In the UK we will donate 1/3 into establishing the National Victims of Crime and Anti-Bullying Centre - as a charitable trust to combat violence. 2. In America we will ask that the highest placed U.S. team (that finish our event), donate 1/3 via Virgin Unite USA to an appropriate body. 3. The remaining 1/3 will then be gifted in the name of the highest placed international team (that finish our event) to their choice of suitable body. If you would like more info about getting involved in the MOC America Quest 2008 event, please go to our website (www.AmericaQuest2008.com) or call Neil on 078 3828 5498
NB. 100% of the entry money we raise will go to 3 separate charities;

mention natures own; howling gales, dust-devils, hail storms, treacherous ravines, venomous snakes, poisonous spiders, scorpions and a few loose attack dogs! Still interested? Well, all those successful teams that do sign-up will begin their own epic task at the Statue of Liberty (on April 4th) and if they do not fall by the wayside, or get themselves eliminated along the way, will finish in Los Angeles (May 6th 2008)
COMBAT: We understand this enterprise is already quite advanced.

NEIL AXE: Thats correct; America Quest has some very serious corporate sponsors and television distributors looking over it, while the Young Masters of Team Fox are already generating their own budding celebrity status.
NEIL AXE: Certainly, Team Fox are highly motivated, theyve already invested about 1,000 hours in 2006 getting ready for this Quest, add to this the fact that the lads are very serious about honouring my sister (Susan Axe who sadly lost her life as a result of violent crime in 1993) with regard raising the needed funds for the establishment of the Centre that will carry her name. As long as all our intended funding streams come on line (as with events like this, life never runs too easily), in 2007 Team Fox intend to put another 3,000 hours each of prep-work under their belts and that doesnt include the time theyll spend doing the numerous press, radio & TV interviews that we are lining up for them to help build the events global profile.
COMBAT: Could you give our readers an insight into the nature of Team Foxs current motivation, their reception by the media, and what kind of scale youre talking about promoting them?
L to R: Gregg Oliver, Ryan Axe, Dale Axe & Byron Graham
This is such a huge media driven event (it has the potential to reach 500 million people on the internet alone), we are proud to announce that weve just secured a 100,000 sponsorship deal from Smooth one of the UKs brightest and most pro-active PR / Marketing companies (www.smooth.co.uk).
COMBAT: With 100 teams on the road behind them, how do you envisage you will thin out the other chase teams along the way?
NEIL AXE: As each day goes by, the endurance and stamina needed to stay out in front of the pack will make the task get progressively more exhausting and seemingly all the more physically impossible. This event will make a triathlon look like a walk in the park, thus weve introduced an element of good old- fashioned gamesmanship and public interaction just for good measure. We are lending an idea from Big Brother, as we intend each of our teams to be directly linked via webcams to a dedicated internet site; where, for 33 days, webcasting will offer an unrivalled perspective of the trials and tribulations that the teams various personas must enjoy and endure as they meet the challenge of what will prove to be the worlds toughest martial arena. Teams will then be eliminated in any one of the 3 following fashions; 1. They will withdraw from the event by their own volition. 2. They will be expelled for being the slowest chase team on a given day. 3. The public will text-vote them off, because they dont believe they have a winning team spirit or because they suffer from a poor attitude! Please remember that our viewing audience could be as big as the Super-Bowl (which exceeds 800 million), due to the event being globally broadcast 24 hours a day online and its 33 day duration; so its fair to say that new martial stars could be generated from the global coverage this event aims to garner.
NEIL AXE: Thats correct. Upon undertaking this endeavour each 4 person team will be made painfully aware that theyll be embarking on an epic 3,300 mile cycle ride (33 stages of 100 miles) with no respite along the way. We are in talks right now, hoping to secure Nightly live TV broadcasts of Team Fox and the Chase Teams arrival at predetermined destinations, these will show recorded highlights of the days drama & action, as well as featuring the winning Chase Team as they take on Team Fox.
COMBAT: Neil, what happens if you dont get enough Chase Teams willing to sign-up and try to take on Team Fox?
NEIL AXE: With an iron-man style contest such as ours thats always a danger, unfortunately staging an event that makes New Yorks and Londons marathons seem like a jog around the block is bound to scare-off a lot of the so called martial champions out there; though I will add that Ive been contacted by an American Team in Minnesota, who apparently are already in training for 2008! But, yes, I do have a fall-back plan; if we dont secure the minimum amount of Chase Teams we need (34), which would be pretty dire when you think of the millions of martial devotees in this world, we shall instead arrange for Team Fox to compete against local martial artists at each 100 mile staging post. Though this wont provide for the spectacular nature of event wed hope for, this will still allow Team Fox the chance to publicise their charitable cause & to star in an event that it has taken 20 years and yet another generation of Axes to inspire to happen (as it was Dale who suggested re-doing the Quest & Ryan who has been a driving force to make sure that it goes ahead).
COMBAT: Judging by your previous successes (Neil headlined at the NEC Extravaganza as Mysterx, was the host for Sony Playstations Tekken 2 Official UK Tour and he also won a TV industry award during his time in New Zealand, as their Best Newcomer), it would be fair to say that this event has the potential to be the biggest news in martial arts of 2008, prior to Chinas staging of the Beijing Olympics! Next month read the second part of our excusive Master Axe interview, where our article will be shifting its focus onto the future stars of the America Quest show... the Young Masters themselves... MOCs Team Fox!
COMBAT: We understand that beyond the broadcasting via the internet aspect of this event, you also hope to get a TV deal that will possibly put the event onto the worlds television screens on a daily basis.
Talking
Qigong
&
Qi
With Michael Tse
Protection
f you study martial arts, would you like to be able to defeat ten people or only fight one person? The answer that most people will give is that they would like to be able to defend themselves against ten people. That would also be my answer. If I could defeat one hundred people even better! This is, of course, very difficult and so if this is our aim, we must think very carefully about how we learn our style of martial art. First of all our martial art training should not injure us. I think that everyone would agree with that. However, today we seem to be going backwards. There are a lot of martial artists who suffer from joint problems, back problems and other injuries that they pick up when they are sparring. We should not injure ourselves in training. Otherwise, how are we supposed to learn how to defend ourselves if even before we learn how to do this we get beaten up by our training partners or teachers. I have come across many people who have knee injuries which have happened when they have been sparring. Sometimes their injuries are so serious they cannot train any more. Should we be learning a martial art like this? If something injures you so badly that you cannot train then it does not seem very wise to learn this kind of skill. In the early days, Chinese martial arts already had progressed through this kind of training and developed their methods of teaching. The first thing we learn is to make ourselves healthy. We use forms and meditation to balance our
Controlling an opponent with Wing Chun techniques
training. Forms particularly put all the fighting techniques together so you can train them. On the other hand forms also teach you to move the whole body, helping to develop your balance and coordination, making you healthy, fit and strong. Any stiffness in the body and confusion in the mind is resolved and so injuries are avoided and also healed. We should always remember that studying martial arts is based on respecting the skill we are learning. Skills of punching and kicking will cause injury to others but also to ourselves. Think about it:- if you repeat the same punch hundreds or thousands of times, then your shoulders, elbows, wrist, neck, spine, waist, knees and ankles will become injured. Just like a carpenter who has to use a hammer to hit again and again. After so many times he (or she) will definitely injure their joints. Therefore, in order to train the fighting skill, at the same time we must learn how to heal our injuries. Chinese martial arts have been developing for over 5000 years. In the beginning they even involved performing some special ceremonies. All the martial arts forms we have today, from bare handed forms to weapons, can all be considered good for your health. It is a pity to see people today going backwards in the way they train their martial arts. It is like being used to having a flat screen colour TV hanging on your wall and then changing it for an old black and white TV. Good martial artists over the last 500 years have developed training exercises like Chi Sau (Wing Chuns Sticking Hands) and Tui Shou (Taijiquans Pushing Hands). These are where two partners contact each other and train their sensitivity. Actually, this is a very advanced level of martial arts training as it develops all the fighting techniques without causing any injuries to either partner. Usually the two opponents are Kung Fu brothers or sisters and so they should not harm or try to hurt each other. Then they can safely develop their techniques, sensitivity, skill and footwork. However, today people do not understand this and they think that is it is not real fighting. This is true. Tui Shou and Chi Sau are not real fighting but the are preparation for the situation of a real fight. If we injure ourself in training, before a real fight comes, then how can we manage to protect ourselves when we do have a real fighting situation if we have a bad shoulder or damaged knees? If we want to have a high level of martial art skill we should look after our body because we need it to defend ourselves. It is just like a racing car. If you are practising for a race you will not crash and damage the car. If it is really necessary to drive like that you had better use an old car. The same as your best party clothes. You will not wear them before the party in case they get dirty and torn. When we train martial arts we must not injure ourselves because if we do, how can we fight? There is a very long history of martial arts, especially in China. Many very enlightened people have developed safe ways in which to train and some even have knowledge of Chinese medicine and healing skills so that if someone is accidentally injured in training or in a fight, then they can heal themselves. Remember, you only have one body. No one has a spare one to trade in for. We even need to take care of our fingers, toes and skin. This is a good attitude for martial arts training. On the other hand, I have seen people wearing pads, helmets and even gum shields when they practise Wing Chun Chi Sau. Why do they need to do this? From the founder of the Wing Chun skill to Yim Wing Chun to Ip Man and his son, Ip Chun, none of them have had to do this. It is only since Wing Chun has come to the west that it has become like this. Some people have also the Wing Chun with other styles. This is like mixing up good Chinese food such steamed fish with other a chocolate pudding. This is no good. We should keep them separate, traditional and authentic. Beginners do not know what is traditional, but when others who do know see this kind of deviation, they will see that it does not make sense. I am a student of Ip Chun who is the eldest son of Ip Man,
Appying Wing Chun against multiple opponents
Sifu Tse applies a wrist lock during Tui Shou
the Great Grandmaster of Wing Chun, a founder who spread Wing Chun across the world. We need to respect the culture and the hard work of all those ancestors who created the skill and continued to keep it so we can enjoy and benefit from it and also train without injury. I have heard some people say, If we do not wear pads, helmets and gum shields, how do we know when we get hit on the head hard that we can stand it? I completely disagree with this kind of thinking. When we train with our brothers and sisters we should not be trying to hurt them because they are helping us to improve our skill. You do not need to hurt them, only let them know that you can get them when training. Secondly when you are wearing all this padding, you will only think about attacking and not hold back and so you will not know when you are hurt and when you have been hit and even ignore it. This will make your partner hit you even harder. This means you will also start to use strength instead of sensitivity and skill. Chi Sau is not fighting, my Sifu Ip Chun has said this many times in many different seminars. Chi Sau is how Wing Chun brothers and sisters train together. Because it is not fighting, they should not try to hit or harm each other. We should practise to find out how to use the skill and how to improve our positions. We should also develop our footwork, our sensitivity and learn how to use less strength in order to defend and attack. All these skills are repeated in a random way and so all of them can be developed. By doing this we can really develop our fighting skill and we can use the skill properly. We can also save our energy and so use much less strength, just enough to win. A good cook takes a long time to learn his skill. In fact, they do not start with cooking. First they learn how to chop vegetables, clean and carry things for the head Chef. A soldier does not learn how to shoot a gun first. The first thing they learn how to do is obey orders, march together and become part of a unit. This is basic training. Basics are very important preparation for any skill as they start us out in the right way. If you train a mistake for a long time, then it will be a mistake forever. In fighting we can lose our lives, so training for good health is important. When we have good skill, we should be able to avoid all kinds of attacks that are thrown at us. If someone is bigger and stronger, then we should be able to make them tired. If someone is faster than us, then we can make them slower. This is good skill and does not rely on strength. For good martial skill, we should not just try to make ourselves stronger and faster, just because someone else is stronger and faster than you. Nature is very fair in some ways. Usually, the
bigger and stronger person will be slower than smaller person who will be quicker and more sensitive. However, if you are always trying to do things fast, then you can easily be impatient and so make mistakes easily. We should not compare our physique too much with our opponent. If they are better than you, then it means they have a higher level of martial art skill. If you get into a real fight, even if you wear pads, a helmet and a gum shield, then you can still be beaten as there are no rules in a real fighting situation. An opponent can kick you wherever they want, bite you, even use a knife to stab you. All this padding and protection only makes you blind to the situation. It is not protection that you need. It is reaction and response. Whatever your opponent does, you have to have a way to respond and deal with it. When you wear protective gear, you feel safe and so do not mind when someone punches you. You may think that you can punch them even harder and win but this is wrong strategy for martial arts. With a good skill, your enemy should not even be able to touch you. In a real fighting situation, even the smallest touch with a knife can mean the end. So you must know how to avoid any attack. When you wear protection, you feel that it is more like real fighting because it feels like your opponent does not need to hold back. However, when you train this way, you are only thinking about winning. This is not good, because although you may hit your opponent, you will not know how you did it because you are going too fast and are confused. The same is true when you have been hit. You also do not know why. This is why when we do Chi Sau (or Tui Shou) everything must be clear. It will be a little bit slower so you can break it down and learn. A good Sifu will let you do whatever you want and they will still be able to control you and hit you whenever they want. That is good skill. Do not hit without knowing how you hit. Do not defend without knowing why you defend. Good skill has a reason for everything and so it does not waste any time. If you can reach that level, then you will have more chance of defending yourself against five, maybe even ten people in the end. Who knows, maybe even one hundred people? But you will already know how to be a good general, because you can manage one and eventually you will be able to handle five ten or even one hundred people or more. For information about classes and courses contact: Tse Qigong Centre, PO Box 59, Altrincham, WA15 8FS Tel: 0845 838 2285 Website: www.qimagazine.com Email: tse@qimagazine.com
WAKO
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World Association of Kickboxing Organisations
Founded in 1970 WAKO is the largest unified kickboxing organisation in the World with over 80 nations currently in membership. WAKO World H.Q. is based in Milan. The
Russian
Chronicles
With Aran Dharmeratnam
Strength Through Silence!
5WAKO History5
WAK001/07
WAKO started its activity in Europe in 1976. The founder was Mr Georg Bruckner from Berlin, who promoted the first ever World Championships in semi and full contact karate (as it was called in those days) back in 1978 with 110 competitors representing 18 countries. WAKO immediately created the rules and regulations for the new fighting sports and acted, since the very beginning, as the authentic Kickboxing Federation of the world. In our Championships, only national teams are accepted. Each member country can present only 1 competitor in each weight class. The WAKO World Championships are NOT open competitions therefore each representative is the premier competitor in that category, from their country.
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oing back about twelve years, there was this gym I would train at. It had a crowded weights room and a bare training room, where various fighters and martial artists would gather. In this training room there would be boxers blasting away at the heavy bag; kickers firing their legs into the air and other practitioners sparring, moving and exchanging techniques. But something else comes to mind when I think of this place - the noise. People would train amidst loud music which blasted out of these powerhouse speakers. The music would blitz the entire gym. You could hear the thumping beats the moment you entered the building. The music seemed to charge, ignite and motivate people as they trained. At this time, I was working as a bouncer at some equally loud, crowded venues. This is where I would gain more experience at countering aggression. So it seemed appropriate to train at a loud gym. At least it would help me to get used to the noise factor within the various venues where I worked. But also, came the realisation that the loud thumping music could disrupt the body on certain levels. And later, I heard something similar conveyed by one of the Russian masters. It was mentioned that some forms of music based on their volume and erratic rhythm can affect the nervous system in a negative way, thus hindering deeper levels of awareness. Notice how the heart beats when listening to different music. So there is some food for thought! Anyway, the purpose of this feature is not to criticise the music or training approaches people sometimes use. But I do want to mention a useful ally that can add balance to our training. This ally is silence...
Helping the learning experience

One of the things I noticed while training in the Far East and in Russia, is that the many of the instructors I trained with, would carry out their classes amidst a quiet atmosphere. They would still explain important principles to their students, but they would do so in a calm, efficient manner. There would also
Contact WAKO, 66 Chaddesden Lane, Chaddesden, Derby, DE21 6LP. Tel: 07973 507716 / 01332 663086 01628 784254 or Fax: 01332 280286
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Training amidst nature in more peaceful environments can offer various benefits
be times, in certain classes, where the training would be carried out with few words spoken; without excessive chatter from the students. The training was still relaxed and the students seemed content, but by reducing the noise factor; information could be absorbed on different levels. So one step towards silence is to try and reduce unnecessary chatter during the class. When we train in quiet environments, the body can also relax on certain levels and again this can enhance learning capabilities.
Silence as an objective
In some of the Russian martial arts, the instructor will show students various ways of rolling and falling to the ground. These movements can be used to relax the body. They can be used to remove certain types of fear and they can be used to escape from various attacks. Of course, students need to know how to fall without hurting the body. When it comes to rolling or falling movements, damage often occurs when vulnerable parts of the body hit the ground. A harmful roll can be a product of bad body mechanics, an overly tense body, or poor timing. There are also emotional obstructions that can hinder the execution of the roll. Often, the instructor will have an idea of how effective the roll was, by observing the way the student makes contact with the ground. Also, if the students rolling movement is noisy, this also indicates that there was excessive impact with the ground. Thats why some instructors tell their students to make their rolls as silent as possible. By rolling in silent fashion, the roll should be smoother and ultimately it should feel more comfortable. The same thing could be said about walking. Even as we walk, if we can make excessive noise with our steps, it could be because our feet are landing with too much impact.
an intimidating aggressor. In these courses, the person will learn how to project their voice with dynamic forcefulness. Using the right tone and volume, a person can convey confidence and a readiness to defend themselves. In some cases, using assertive, intense dialogue, a person can actually deter an aggressor. This approach has been used quite effectively. Though perhaps for a person who is by nature more introvert, it may be harder to apply. Now, there are also particular times, where silence can be used to quell certain situations. Its worth remembering that sometimes it is dialogue or a verbal exchange that causes the situation to manifest into physical violence. Also, fear can hinder a person to the point where they are simply unable to use dialogue. There are those moments when silence or more reserved dialogue can be used to prevent certain types of attackers from engaging you in further conversation. The skill lies in knowing when to apply this type of tactic. Sometimes the silence will have to be supported by movement and subtle body language skills. And of course, it is not always possible to remain silent. In fact, some aggressors may get more provoked when they are not given a verbal response. So we need to know when to use it. But silence still has its place.
Avoiding conflict
Silence can also be a tremendous ally when trying to avoid certain arguments or hostile debates, especially, if the other person is not willing to listen to different points of view. Sometimes, when we stay on the calm terrain of silence, we allow silence itself to absorb the agitated emotions or stress. There are times when silence can say a lot more. Silence can also be embraced when our words may offend or cause harm to those around us. It is not always easy to stay on the ground of silence at testing moments but I suppose, its a bit like a physical exercise that just needs to be practised. It should also be mentioned, that there are times when silence may be inappropriate. Lets refer to this as restrictive silence and it is connected to fear. This type of silence can stop us from making a friend or from learning something. There are always going to be moments when something must be said, asked or expressed.
Amidst nature
Training amidst nature in more peaceful environments can offer various benefits. Of course, even here you dont get total silence. Indeed, in the great outdoors, when far away from built up environments, there are still plenty of sounds to be heard, but amidst nature you can move closer to silence to some degree. By training in the great outdoors, you can at least escape from many of the mechanical and electronic sounds that surround us and distract us in the cities and towns. There are quite a few well-known martial artists who acknowledge the benefits of training in natures peaceful surroundings. And for some people, one of the ways that they connect with silence is through walking. This is certainly something that is carried out in Systema. This art contains various walking methods that help practitioners to calm the mind and revitalise the body.
A mystery...
Silence can represent something of a mystery. It is something that can be explored on different levels. For the martial artist, it can provide balance and awareness. There are also different types of silence from the awkward to the honest. In understanding about silence, we can gain valuable lessons. And at a deeper level, it is possible to connect to silence; even when moving through noisy, unpredictable terrain.
A way to counter aggression

There are some self-defence courses, where the instructor will show students how to assert themselves when faced with
For all training related enquiries, Aran can be contacted by emailing: aran@globalkick.com or telephone: 07939 678 356 www.globalkick.com
Silence of the monastaries
Connecting with silence through breath work
FIGHT NIGHT UK
Showcases for the fighting arts
Fighters Incs boldest initiative yet!
Joe Long & Paul Alderson
AND SENI 07
Karate showcase 3 on 3 with Sky Sports in 1997 and this was followed by the 10K and Pain and Glory, both receiving high-profile coverage with Eurosport. Now were working on a specific British programme ourselves, in association with Eurosport, which will hopefully go out once a month as Fight Night UK, which will feature the very best of British across the board, be it Traditional, Thai, Kick or MMA. (Joe Long) The pilot has already aired to acclaim within the martial community, the criteria for the show a focus on the A class fighters, the top fight cards, with the production values monitored by Fighters Inc, the aesthetics of the show as important as the quality of the fights. The on-going idea is to lift the whole British fight scene and, as Joe states, Its probably our answer to Fight Club, the European programme. With the ground work done over the years, much of what Paul and Joe are working on involves what they would term bolt-ons, for example the 10K concept (32 fighters one winner take all cash prize of 10,000), which they are extending from Karate into a ground clash, working closely with Jude Samuel on this event, a progression they see as natural since 1997. These years of experience are the equivalent of money in the bank, as Joe and Paul strive to bring television more widely into the fight game. They now know the strong promotions and fight cards and they have developed Fight Night UK because they feel that the timing is now right in this country, with top class promotions- Well be in touch to let them know we have this facility to widen their audience and develop their sponsorship. We want people to call us, to have a look at the website, to know what were doing. Unlike many in the martial arts were not divisive; we want to work with as many people as possible. Anyone, anywhere, if youve got something to offer, we can help! To this end, Joe explains that as long as the card is of the quality to interest television, Fighters Inc would give the promoter a standard quality sheet that details the standards needed to be met to fulfil the criteria for the show. Once that is agreed, he is at pains to point out that the show remains the promoters, Fighters Inc simply enhance the production values of the show for whoever wants to go down that road. On the events side, Fighters Inc made their name with Karate, the Seni Show opening them up to a myriad of martial sports and now they are turning their focus towards professional event management across the whole fight arena and start to produce high quality product across the broad spectrum of the arts. One of the reasons they have managed to be so successful at this cross-pollination is their ability to work with various promoters, putting egos aside to work together rather than take the attitude of well this bit is mine and Im the man that can permeate the arts. In their time, Paul and Joe have worked closely with Paul Hennessy, the co-promoter and matchmaker of Pain and Glory, with Neville Wray in the freestyle arena and a wide group of people under the Seni umbrella. The move to London with Seni, has seen Fighters Inc re-evaluate certain aspects of their promotion, not least the Pain and Glory show, which has become a brand in its own right. Paul Alderson explains - Its (Pain and Glory) a Birmingham based show and weve got a date for October 26th in 2007 and the fight card is taking shape already and were still a year off. He adds that one of their initiatives will be to roll the Pain and Glory brand out into different shows and gain it exposure through the television links Fighters Inc are creating. Joe Long points out that this year, Pain and Glory is officially sanctioned by the K-1 Organisation, with not only a K-1 Eight man tournament but also the participation of top K-1 Fighters; Albert Krauss is a distinct possibility, whilst Kazuya Yasuhiro and former Taekwondo champion Yong-Su-Park (3-0) are almost certainly on the card, to face Liam Harrison, Leon Walters or Craig Burke. With four European fighters squaring off against four
Anyone, anywhere, if youve got something to offer, we can help!

- Paul Alderson
reviously, Fighters Inc founders Paul Alderson and Joe Long discussed the reasons behind their momentous decision to take the Seni Show from its long-term venue at the NEC to the Excel in the heart of Londons docklands. Fighters Inc have been around for a goodly number of years but for many, all they will know is the distinctive logo, despite the fact that the organisation has been behind many martial arts promotional successes, from the afore mentioned Seni Show to the MMA showcase Pain and Glory, the K-1 style Last Man Standing and the traditional Karate extravaganzas 3 on 3 and the 10K Karate Clash, all prestigious events. Now the Fighters Inc team are looking to expand even more and tackle the giant that is television, with a series of initiatives aimed at getting combat sports regular television exposure. Paul and Joe cut their television teeth with the innovative
Don The Dragon Wilson
Action from Pain and Glory 06
Brits in the eight man, Joe is confident that Pain and Glory will raise the bar once more. This year, with official K-1 sanctioning Pain and Glory has taken another big step in establishing itself as a major force in Europe. As if to put the exclamation mark on his words, K-1 Legend Ernesto Hoost will not only be ringside at Pain and Glory but will also be doing a seminar and other media appearances at the show. In fact, this year virtually every fight sport imaginable is represented, with Kickboxing legend Don The Dragon Wilson promoting the newly established Seni Film festival, screening his latest movie and making public appearances, whilst the full might of both The UFC and Cage Rage will be present in force, with the opportunity to meet many MMA stars. Add the second year of Ringmasters, the Thai Tournament and professional boxing and the full contact arts are fully covered. Not that the traditional Arts have been neglected, with Wushu legend Wu Bin, who is doing a seminar, a rare treat in this country. Paul Alderson states, This is a real coup for us and a once in a lifetime opportunity to train with a legendary Wushu figure. If this were not enough, there is also the first London Wushu Open, premiering at the show, alongside the Capoeira Campeonato, another first for Fighters Inc. Olympic Taekwondo star Michail Mouroutsos will also be at Seni to conduct a seminar, two childrens workshops and take part in a demonstration bout, whilst the popular Masters of the Mat will feature World and Olympic champions in a series of tough super bouts. With the Gracie BJJ Invitational and the Seni Karate Classic, you can see why Joe feels that, this year Seni is so exciting as, in tournament terms we really believe we have got something for everyone, traditional, classical or otherwise, featuring top talent across all disciplines.
Fighters Inc have been around for a long time but its only in very recent times that Paul and Joe have started to come out of the shadows and get their names about, putting names and faces to the distinctive logo, going from strictly low-profile to public, through interviews such as this one. Paul points out that this was just their way; they werent typical boxing promoters who wanted to be seen in front of everything and have their face in front of the cameras but now they recognise that, as they move into so many different areas they are becoming known and the profile is a by-product of this success. If we are going to be known, we want it to be for professional initiatives and projects, not just events. There are a lot of areas were diversifying into now, television being one, theatre productions another, and the film Sucker Punch, all with a martial arts theme. Joe Long was the hands on producer on Sucker Punch utilising his many contacts to find locations, actors and publicise the film in his own unique way, something he sees as a natural progression from those early days with the 3 on 3. Fighters Inc will be launching a theatre production at the Hackney Empire (home to some of their biggest successes) in 2007, which will tie-in with the Beijing Olympics, whilst their talent representation led to the involvement in Sucker Punch - this is the start of a stronger foothold in the film industry. Its a double-edged sword-without Seni we probably wouldnt have had access to the talents and contacts to benefit the film and now weve got the film, that can benefit Seni, as next year well show the film at the festival, which launched last year with the help of Tiger Beer. As to the future, both men see it as an evolution, a natural development of Fighters Inc and they believe they have got into this healthy position is
because they havent forced the issue and gone out with the intention of being the next Don King. If we earn the respect of people it will come back and thats what weve done. With so many irons in a glowing fire, the future holds whatever excites Fighters Inc and as a company they are not afraid to take a project to a certain level and then move on, its something that doesnt scare us. Case in point is the 3 on3, which will have its 10th and final anniversary this year, despite being the event that launched their careers. Its all about what excites us as a company, not what makes the most money. Fighters Inc is our lives.
If you would like to contact Paul or Joe over any of the above, contact Email; info@fightersinc.net Or phone 01375 650833 www.senishow.com
Dont miss your chance to train with Mr Perfect Ernesto Hoost! Or Else!!!
INSIGHTS INTO
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By Chris Samuel
IAIDO
Nukiuchi/ Makkoh The final Hasagawa Eishin ryu waza
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DOS001/03
he tenth and final Hasagawa Eishin ryu kata is called Nukiuchi or Makkoh. Nukiuchi translates as surprise attack, which is representative of what is going on in this waza. For those of you who study Seitei Iaido you will be able to see similarities with the twelfth standing kata called Nukiuchi. If you have studied Omori ryu you will notice that this kata is very similar to Battoh. The main difference between Battoh and Nukiuchi is that Nukiuchi is performed faster than Battoh. For those studying the Kuroda sensei method of Battoh the draw in Nukiuchi is direct rather than being presented to the front prior to Furikaburi. Begin facing the front with your left thumb securing the tsuba in the saya. Sit in seiza with both hands resting on your thighs. (pic 1) The imaginary opponent is sitting in front of you facing to the front. Respond to the saki or hostile intent of your opponent by cutting him down decisively. Bring both hands to the sword and free the habaki from the koiguchi using koiguchi wo kiru with sotogiri. Start to draw the sword as you rise up to a vertical position where your thighs and body are aligned vertically (pic 2) In some schools the draw is almost straight up in conjunction with the rising of the body. (pic 3 shows the application of this) However it is more usual to draw more to the front-suppressing the opponents movement with yout tsukakashirae. (pic 4 illustrates this point) As the sword is brought overhead it covers the left side of the body and head diagonally in Ukenagaeshi fashion. For a split second the sword is held above your head with the right hand only. Bring your left hand to the tsuka as you turn the sword and prepare to cut. (pic 5) Cut down strongly to the front as you spread your knees out. (pic 6) This action adds weight to the cut. In some schools the knees actively drop as you spread your legsbanging into the ground. This painfull practice is not adopted everywhere though. It is common for the knees simply to part as the cut is made. The kissaki is usually quite low at the end of this cut-as opposed to the six to eight inches adopted in Seitei iaido. This draw and cut are made rapidly and smoothly. (pic 7 illustrates this). Complete yoko chiburi to the side as you bring your left hand to your Obi (pic 8). Do not sit back at this point, but keep the body straight. Next complete noto-the resheathing of the blade. This is done slightly differently from usual. Begin by bringing the sword back, making contact with your hand about three quarters of the way down the blade. Bring your right hand forwards still holding the sword horizontally until the kissaki is within the koiguchi. Begin to resheath the sword.
Pause after about six inches of the blade are in the saya (pic 9). Bring your knees together (pic 10). Relax your feet back to seiza. Now continue to resheath the blade,turning it back to the vertical as you relax back in to seiza. (pic 11) Secure the tsuka with your left thumb, before standing and relaxing your right hand. Nukiuchi is performed smoothely, but quite quickly. For
Pic 1 Pic 2 Pic 3
those who have studied Seitei Iaidos Nukiuchi-you will notice that the initial intent is different in this waza. Anyone interested in training in Iaido or Kobudo in North London, or arranging seminars, can contact the author on 07958995979 or reach him at info@ northlondonbudo.co.uk The new website address is www.northlondonbudo.co.uk
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CIBSE DINNER Becomes Martial Arts Showcase!

T
he Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), held their annual dinner at the Civic Centre in Newcastle on Friday 19th January 2006. Marty Wilson was given the huge responsibility of arranging the event. CIBSE wanted something different for their members and, being a very large professional body, they expected the same standards that they themselves demand. With Marty having close working relations with CIBSE and, being the northern promoter for the BFKKO, he decided that a kickboxing evening set in high class surroundings would be the order of the night. During further discussion Marty was asked if he would actually take part as a competitor by the CIBSE Executive, which is a little unusual for a promoter, however he decided that it would be a good move in regard to good business relations as he has very close working ties with CIBSE themselves. His participation would also give the members a key point of interest in what was promising to be a really top night of professional kickboxing. So, after agreeing, he involved Billy Saul and Cris Janson-Piers to help run the event in those areas he could not cover whilst actually participating. The setting was a 400-seat dinner venue with the ring taking the central position. Marty had employed a top quality audio-visual company to give multi-angled coverage and produce a DVD of the event. This in turn was relayed to large plasma
Kerry-Louise Norbury vs Jade Grierson
ANNUAL
screens in between every other table with a massive projected live image of the event onto the main wall. The ring was also surrounded by a large gantry framework full of lighting and special effects. All the sponsors for the event had promotional DVDs and Marty had a special tribute made, featuring him training with Billy Saul and running and training in and around Newcastle. The event was a great flagship not for just for CIBSE, the BFKKO and the promoter but for martial arts/kickboxing in general as it had brought together so many professionals from different areas. Fighters, coaches, officials and promoters from different organisations all worked hand in hand to provide an unparalleled evening of kickboxing and entertainment. Top promoters, Tim Izli, Dean Sugden, and Cris Janson-Piers all played an active part in the event, bringing together some of their top fighters to compete against each other. The nights fighters all had a hunger and a passion to win for so many different reasons. Undefeated oungster Jade Grierson (Newark Martial Arts, Dean Sugden), was to fight Kerry-Louise, in her first comeback fight since injury. Coaches Cris and Dean had agreed a 3 round light continuous bout to enable Kerry-Louise (Falcon Fight Academy, Cris Janson-Piers) to shake off any ring-rust and give Jade that all important experience she is forever searching for. Kerry weighed in at 67.5 kilo and Jade at 70.4kg, with the weight not being a concern for either the fighters or coaches, as Kerry
is coming down the weights for her first full contact fight at her usual fight weight of 65kg and the bout was light continuous. Ryan The Hammer Hamer (Falcon Fight Academy, Cris Janson-Piers), a devastatingly strong fighter with a great skill level, existing WAKO British champion and recent winner of the WKL world kickboxing title, was to fight Shensoy Dervis. Shensoy is another rightful champion from the well-known Tim Izli camp, due to fight for the WKA European title in March. Both fighters are training hard to make as much ground as possible this year. Ryan weighed in at 67.3kg and Shensoy weighed in smack on the nail at 67kg. The next fight would tell all. Two awesome, well- known, fighters, who are both regarded and ranked as two of the top men in the country at cruiserweight. Mo Kargbo of Bournemouth, WFKKO world and WKU World Professional Kickboxing champion and holder of many other titles, fighting Marlon The Game Hunt, who is the current WAKO British Champion, BFKKO Pro British and WFKKO World Amateur Champion. Marlon, coached by Richard Stevens in Suffolk and professionally managed and coached nationally by Cris Janson-Piers, weighed in at 83.5kg and Mo at the heavier 86.1kg. The main event of the evening brought Marty Wilson of Felling Warriors (World Amateur Champion) trained by the wellknown Billy Saul, two pressures to deal with-promoting the event and then being
matched against one of the best up and coming fighters in the country at the moment, Lee Morgan, (WAKO British champion, BFKKO British amateur champion) hailing from the Manchester club run by Brian Barnes. Credit goes to Marty for taking such a tough fight in front of a home crowd and to Lee, who had it all to go for, knowing Marty would be more prepared and more experienced. Both fighters weighed in at 66.4kg, again showing they had both prepared equally hard for the showdown. With the weigh-ins and doctors checks completed, the evening started with opening official speeches followed by the fighters being welcomed into the ring together for all to see and applaud. The excitement was already building. The fighters all shook hands and Kerry-Louise gave Jade a small gift as a sporting gesture. The first fight was the Kerry-Louise and Jade bout. Jade has earned herself a good fight reputation training under World Champion Dean Sugden. Kerry-Louise, a seasoned pro, never underestimated her opponent, in fact quite the reverse, as Jade had all to gain and Kerry-Louise all to lose, as Kerry-Louise had to live up to her name as a good ring mover and very powerful puncher and kicker. However, power restrictions may not suit her and her long absence from the ring was obviously going to be an issue. A 3 round bout was agreed on as not to push Kerrys injury too far on her first time out, although she prefers to fight between 5 and 7 rounds. Both fighters came out for the 1st round and understandably were very wary of each other. Both were offering feints and dummies trying to fetch each other in. A good exchange of combinations followed, but it was noticeable that Kerry was looking for well- placed shots. Jade again came forward and Kerry then displayed her ring craft, evasive and blocking work. The first round was tidy and it looked as though the ladies were going to keep it very tight. The second round showed that both fighters were capable of good defensive and offensive skills, each time one threw a combination the other answered it with a good reply. Kerry broke through with two good hard body shots and Jade replied to one of them with a good head kick counter. By now the crowd had got behind both ladies realising they were very skilful and tactical fighters. Kerry again showed good footwork, which sometimes left Jade having to redirect her attack. Round three went off at a good pace but again its fair to say both fighters did not let their desire to win ruin their composure. The spectators were witnessing a good up and coming younger fighter taking on the experience of a lady who has gained the respect of many by highly achieving up to and including World level. Kerry seemed to put in a few more two or three point combinations in this round, which could eventually lead to the decision? The decision went in favour of the blue corner and KerryLouises arm was raised on the announcement of what was a split decision 2 wins 28-30/28-29 to Kerry-Louise and a draw of 30-30 given by the other official showing what a superb fight it had been. The tro-
Ryan The Hammer Hamer vs Shensoy Dervis
phies and purses for all the fighters today were substantial thanks to the support again of CIBSE and the other sponsors. Kerrys coach Cris stated, That was a great fight! Both girls showed mutual respect and both will take something away from the bout. Jade needs a special mention as she accepted a fight three other opponents declined! Kerry stated I never for one minute underestimated Jade. She is a youngster with huge desire to achieve, and let me tell you ladies, get ready because she will be coming for you next! She lives in Newark, which is near me, and I think we can actually train together in the near future under the eye of two awesome coaches in Dean and Cris. Well done Jade you put up a good challenge! Kerry and her coach were to use this fight as a guide to the areas she now needs to improve in and what she wants to achieve next. As you may have heard previously she is now also embarking on a boxing career, headed by pro boxing coach Howard Rainey and Glyn Rhodes, who will also have input and influence.
Next up was Ryan The Hammer Hamer, again from Falcon Fight Academy and another fighter looked after by White Scorpion Fight Management. His opponent was the very skilful and respectful Shensoy Dervis, coached by Mr Tim Izli. Tim produces top quality fighters on a regular basis and Ryan was aware of this. In the opening round, although Shen was aware of Ryans power and the danger he could face, he approached the fight looking very composed and confident. The trademark steady first round that most pros display was apparent, each fighter trying to look at what their opponent has got to offer and the coaches looking for information on the flaws of the opponent to impart to their fighter during the break. In the second round Shensoy caught Hamer with the trademark kicks Ryans coach, Cris, had warned him of. Ryan came back with a good hand combination. Then leggy Shensoy dropped an axe kick that landed on the arm of Hamer and instantly deadened it. Although this was a pure accident it caused sufficient damage to weaken the arm and render it useless for the rest of that round.
Mo graciously applauds Marlons victory
Mo Kargbo vs Marlon The Game Hunt
Shensoy capitalised on this and moved in with attacks using various hand and foot techniques with Hamer now being unable to return the attack. Rounds 3 and 4 saw Hamer in more pain due to the injury he had sustained and again pressure was off Dervis whilst Hamer continued to find it difficult to return an attack due to the pain he was in. Tim Izli had picked up on the dormant arm, especially as it was Hamers power tool, hence the name the Hammer, and he had instructed Dervis to go to him. At the end of a painful 4th, Coach Cris Janson-Piers decided it was time to pull Hamer from the fight to stop any further damage. Hamer was very upset but realised it was the correct thing to do. After a doctors check it was confirmed Hamer had a small haematoma forming under the now very noticeable swelling. After receiving his winners trophy Shensoy was praised by Cris, who remarked he had improved immensely since Cris had seen him fight last. As hard as it may be for Ryan, it was fair to say that Shensoy appeared to be in the lead at the time of the stoppage. Ryan later asked Cris
TEAM HUNT - Cris Janson-Piers, Marlon & ?????
to arrange a rematch for a later date but for now Ryan will be taking a short rest period before upping his training for his next title shot in March on Dean Sugdens show. Shensoy, a great sportsman, visited Ryan in the changing rooms after to ensure he was okay; neither fighter really wanted such a prestigious fight to end in this way. The third fight was the battle of the two cruiserweights, and between them they have so much silverware to show off its unreal. Although Mo Kargbo had officially retired he is already finding it hard not to be competing, but honoured the fight he had previously promised. His opponent is a man who is constantly in the press and martial arts media at the moment, Marlon The Game Hunt. This game is a team game, as three men prove success can come in working together. Mo, a well-honed and very clever pro, knew Hunt would have had to do much homework, having even thought of this challenge and the possibility of winning. A very tense first round produced little in the way of entertainment, but this was necessary in the further tactical plans for the rest of the fight. Movements were watched,
habits registered, and faults noted for the rest period prior to round two, where coaches would advise the guys. This is exactly what had happened and Marlon Hunt seemed to have done a little more listening and came out with constructive attacks, sometimes picking just the odd technique off. Hunt was not letting Mo get all his own way and refused to allow him to determine the flow of the fight. This fight went the distance with a very technical cat and mouse game. Marlons corner were confident that he had done enough to win the fight comfortably and when his arm was raised as the winner an upset Mo Kargbo soon showed how much of a sportsman he was, visibly applauding his opponent in what was one of the hardest fights of Marlons life and certainly the most rewarding. Marlon later put out a challenge for the WFKKO Pro World title to Mo, but he made it clear he has retired with his titles intact and will not return to defend them. Mo Kargbo has expressed that he has now one ambition left after achieving world professional level, and that is to actually represent Great Britain abroad. Mo has trialled
Marty Wilson vs Lee Morgan
before under WAKO National Team Selector Cris Janson-Piers, who is now keen to help Mo in his quest. There are already proposals for professional challenges in Ireland and America this year and then the Philippines in 2008 Mo spoke openly after with Marlon and it was clear both fighters had gained a mutual respect for each other because of this fight. Marlon quoted It was great to be given the opportunity to fight such an elite fighter as Mo Kargbo, a true champion. I have ultimate respect for him and have always looked at him as the best and obviously a person I would always want to fight and beat to put myself in an undisputed position. Marlons camp believe he has set a new precedence in the World Cruiserweight division and will be a hard act to follow! Jamie Norkett is now lined up to fight Marlon in March on the Dean Sugden v Lex Easdon show, which will be another cracking fight, for a golden belt British title. Jamie came along as a second to Jade Grierson, obviously so he could also get a sneak preview of his next opponent in the flesh. They met in the changing room and offered each other a glance. Norkett towered above Hunt, but Marlons last opponent was the same height and Hunt came out of that victorious as a world champion! The top of the bill was the vacant 67kg World Kickboxing League British professional kickboxing title. This fight between Marty Wilson of Felling Warriors, Newcastle and Lee Morgan from Manchester definitely lived up to everyones expectations from start to finish. Although both fighters still adopted a professional approach, it wasnt long before they both made a major statement to each other. They were here to fight and both gave it their all from start to finish. Both fighters administered a barrage of combinations. Marty had certainly upped his work load and his power since his last fight but Lee is also a great mover and he answered most attacks with good counters. The crowd, mainly made up of local and regional businessmen, applauded and sup-
ported Marty well. A few decided to support Lee Morgan who was the underdog. The last and final round of seven was unfortunate, as Morgan placed a straight right, which came from nowhere, on the chin of Marty Wilson. Marty went to the canvas but his gutsy character and fighting heart picked him back up to meet the 8 count. This left Marty entering the last part of this round with everything to do. He knew that the fight had been so close it literally could be leaving him requiring a knock out to clinch the title. The last round provided an electric finish, with both fighters going head to head, again the amount of techniques were still at a very high ratio. With both lads being very conditioned at no time did either of the two fighters relax their power or technique. They had both obviously done the required amount of training required for this type of challenge. The final bell tolled and fighters returned back to their corners. It is fair to say that as they came to the centre for the result Marty signalled that he doubted his performance had secured a definite win, but in hope he stood with his opponent and the referee Phil Dews and awaited the MCs announcement. The fight went to a split decision and it looked like the knockdown was going to be the deciding factor in this tremendous fight. Lee Morgan was pronounced the winner. He was elated and Marty, being the true sportsman he is, immediately congratulated Lee and applauded the crowd for their support. Marty has never turned away from a quality opponent, which is one of the reasons why so many people in the game have so much respect for him, and today he met another class fighter in Lee, in one of the best fights he has ever experienced. After the fight Marty was seen socialising and wished Lee all the best for the future. Marty also received so much praise from all the spectators and committee of CIBSE who seem to be keen to be of support again. He did himself proud on the day and the BFKKO would like to personally thank Marty for all his hard work. This event certainly ranks in
the top three events that have ever been arranged on behalf of the organisation. One of the most important developments which has arisen out of this competition and gathering of so much skill and professionalism is the display of inter-organisation networking and acceptance. This is something Cris Janson-Piers is working hard with, especially within his post as WAKO team selector for amateurs and pros alike. Tim Izli has said he will be inviting some of the show fighters, or others from the camps involved, to his next show. Dean Sugden has already placed Ryan and Marlon on his show, plus three of Cris other own fighters. A class WAKO referees Karen Dews and Phil Dews said how professional the show was and that all the fighters had superb etiquette and were a credit to their coaches. All the fights were very close but that shows that the fight matching was also superb. There were no complaints about any decisions and all left feeling inspired and ready to meet another challenge under such fair jurisdiction. Another link in the chain has been forged in this never- ending battle to try and bring everyone together. Thanks to all of you who made this evening possible. For more photos and fight reports please visit www.bfkko.co.uk .Anyone wanting to feature any of their fighters on our next show or who want to invite a challenge on theirs, please contact Cris on 07973 748907 or email him at: crisjansonpiers @aol.com
Marty Wilson WKL British professional kickboxing champion
A MARTIAL TRIP THROUGH CHINA

THE HOME OF TAI CHI CHUAN AND KUNG FU - Part 2
Wudang Mountain Monastery.
After an overnight train journey across China, we arrived on time at the nearest station in Xiangfan. A coach trip took us to Wudang town, which has seen better days. We had a pit stop at a well stocked supermarket because up the mountain there are no shops. Then we entered through an impressive modern arch and heavy security due to the area being a national park and World Heritage Site. After being given passes, we wound our way up for one hour, past spectacular gorges and wonderful views of the hundreds of haunting peaks that make up this beautiful green terrain. The group was efficiently booked into the Tienlu Resort Hotel where many famous pilgrims and martial artists have stayed including the Yang Family. The hotel was comfortable and clean with wonderful views of the Wudang Mountains only a short walk from the Purple Clouds Temple where hosts of
Summit of Wudan Monastery
Taoists have trained in martial arts and practiced their devotions. At the entrance is an impressive well decorated with the Post-Birth pattern of the Eight TrigramsPa Qua- from the Book of Changes with Li-Fire trigram facing due South.
Wannabe Jet Li or Grand Master?

There is a tourist school of martial arts nearby, run by young graduates of the Wudang academies. I assessed, although physically skilled, they seemed to me, more wannabe Jet Lis. However I managed to obtain the instruction of Master Wang Li Shen, the 15th Generation Grand Master of the Xuan Men Clan of the Monastery. He had trained in several martial arts and for the last twenty years he has been a leader at Wudang Shan. Xuan Men is the Emperor of The Dark Heaven being an indigenous Taoist deity, acting as a mercurial guardian of the temples mysteries of this Chinese
aspect of the unconscious. Nearly all the group did workshops with Master Wang. Moreover I was fortunate to spend one on one time with Master Wang discussing philosophy, Taoist science, healing, chi kung, martial history as well as alchemy amongst other things including an unusual lunch. During the workshops, he showed us some moving chi kungs including the Turtle, Dragon, Crane and Snake. The turtle is the totem animal of Wudang, as the whole mountain enclave is supposed to be in the shape of a turtle as well as it being the sacred animal that brought the I Ching to mankind some five thousand years ago. This reptile is a symbol of long life with an ability to survive in both the worlds of earth and water alike. The Brush Knee and Twist Stance clearly shows its origins to the turtle posture, as well as incorporating the Crane manoeuvres. The brush knee hand, mimicking the paddling leg of the numinous
By Graham Horwood
Masters, now tested and confirmed by modern Chinese scientific academies. These effective procedures are commonplace amongst the population of one and a half billion people. Now being practiced, more around the world, including the USA such as the Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Master Wang demonstrated Wudang Tai Chi, which is similar to early Yang style and Chen and Sun forms. The movements incorporated the hard and soft principles in slow and fast rhythms. However these styles were suitable for out of the way places and not the scrutiny of the townships, hence the relaxed, slow and rhythmic movement of the Original Yang style, disguising its hidden potential.
Peking Opera
Taosit Summit of Chan San Feng and Laotse

sun) to be streaming into the lungs then continue down the front of the body, along the Renmo (CV) to the Tantien at the Chihoi (CV6), at the same time one draws the Jing chi from the Huiyin (CV1)-perineum and mixes the two at the Tantien. This reverse breathing will add to the inherited chi of the organism. This thought chi can be circulated with Yi mind intent through various organs and meridians as well as being condensed into the bones like a battery.. (Refer to Tai Chi Chuan and The Code of Life Dragondoor Books) One can store chi for about three months in the Tantien or almost indefinitely in the skeletal structure. Chi is the basis for all the biological phenomena of the anatomy as well as being enhanced into a martial or healing instrument. I took the scenic route to the top of the mountain complex along a dramatic set of paths and steps with an amazing 6kms upward trek to the Tianzhu Peak summit at 1600 metres, highlighted by the Golden Hall Temple complex. The steep walk was peppered with shrines, hermits caves as we passed the various terraces some of which were scenically shot by Ang Lee in Crouching Tiger, being just as stunning in real life. There was a chance to see Chan San Fengs cave where Taoist immortals passed on to the monk, by way of dreams and visions, secrets of Tai Chi and Chi Kung. Amongst the many trails around Wudang is the sacred cavern of Laotse the founder of modern Taosim. However Master Wang told me that the traditions of Tai Chi and the sacred sites go back more than five thousand years.
amphibian, curling down and aside for propulsion, thus its martial application. The third fire hand -Shu Chang-of Pa Qua Chang - Eight Trigram Palm- has the same move which is also based on the I Ching.
Wudang and The Chi of Heaven

During that time he confirmed my own training in Pa Qua and Hsing I Chuan- Five Element Fist- as well as validating the chi kungs I was taught, such as solar energy breathing. It was a beautiful environment to do this exercise, when the sun was rising over a purpose built training terrace. It is best to do this exercise early morning, in a natural environment with access to fresh, clean air. One faces the sun and imagines the chi of the Taiyang (great yangGuardia to Shaolin Temple
Acupuncture or Poisoned Hand

In my next trip to China in April 2007, including a retreat at Wudang, I am taking students to Shanghai where we will witness acupuncture anaesthesia at a state of the art hospital. This is possible because when the chi flow is manipulated, it can control the nervous system of a specific area, including muscle and tendon movement and even brain function. This chi anaesthesia can also be issued by Chi Kung masters with their fingers instead of needles. This is the basis of Dimmak poisoned hand training, which is also taught at Wudang and corroborated by Master Wang. I have film footage (BBC-2) of a young twenty one year old factory worker who had open- heart surgery, whilst conscious, with certain needles placed in the heart channel in the arm. The proficient surgery was painless and successful. Surprisingly she was up and about, without any discomfort, after two days and home within a week. These amazing skills of chi control were passed down by the Taoist
Shaolin Temple or School

We left Wudang town through an art deco replica of a local temple, fronting the train station. Another all night train journey took us to Dengfeng, where we booked into the modern Shaolin Hotel facing large billboards of Jet Li advertising mobile phones. The next morning we were shuttled on a ten minute journey to the Shaolin Temple. Our first stop was a secondary school in which there was a mock up of the Temple, due to the Shaolin Temple now being a museum and no training is carried out there. Here we were given the tourist treatment as seen in the West, featuring so called Shaolin monks acrobatically going through forms and mock fights. These actually were students at military style academies numbering two hundred in the area each with c. one thousand students. These two hundred thousand graduates then would enter the army or maybe gain security roles throughout China. This schooling is expensive, arduous and elitist.
Shadow of a Temple
When we arrived at the Shaolin Temple itself the entrance and grounds are familiar, as they have been filmed many times. The buildings and grounds are small and have lost their character. We could peer into a variety of pavilions dedicated to various saints and the Buddha, such as the Pilau Hall where the monks of old, stamped dents into the floor as they practiced their external shouting techniques and punches, over the last thousand years. Besides certain shrines there was the dubious rock on which the supposed shadow of the founder, Damo, was imprinted in his ten year meditation.
Hot, Dry and Tough

The students are up at five am, training in martial forms, including runs to the summit of a nearby mountain where Damos cave is to be found. The novices take an hour and a half to do this gruelling task in all weathers. When I was there in April 2006 the midday temperature was 380 C and humid, the river had all but dried up, in winter the temperature drops to below zero, exposed to the Siberian winds. After a term the ascent and descent of the 3000 metre path with steps, rising 1000 metres, is accomplished in 45 minutes. These tough
pupils, mainly boys, then go about regular schooling and again at five pm continue their martial training to seven pm. Followed by dinner, bed and then up again, repeated six days a week. This produces a very determined, disciplined and extremely fit set of young men, any army would be proud of. Two hundred metres from the temple, I saw another skilled demo of saffron robed students, some as young as six years of age. As well espying several thousand track suited pupils, practicing their martial drills in dusty compounds, nearby. An American kung fu instructor told me in China that he considered that the Shaolin Temple had become a circus. I also assessed that soon Wudang could also end up likewise. The rest of the town of Dengfeng is uninteresting, surrounded by industry as well as the usually poor and neglected farming community.
Shaolin Temple entrance
Jackie Chan, Beijing and Opera

We returned to the Jianguo hotel, Tianmen district Beijing, which houses a large theatre that features the Beijing opera. It was fascinating to see, albeit a tourist version, featuring various snippets of this classic formula. It is performed all over China, including Hong Kong and Taiwan, formerly banned
under Mao. Jackie Chan, Samo Hung and Bruce Lees father, are amongst many martial celebrities who were trained in the opera schools, however not in Beijing. The show started with the familiar costumed performers dressed in fantastic clothes, masks and make up, singing the familiar, extremely pitched arias. Then lastly a slight, ornately dressed woman gave a highly skilled, acrobatic and martial performance where she effortlessly tossed away attacking spears and projectiles, dealt with sword wielding adversaries, deftly and with aplomb despite her decorous costume. If I had to compare this with the Shaolin show, she won hands down. If you wish to join my nest trip to China please visit my website for details: www.taichi-horwood.comq
Shaolin Monks
AS IT GETS! D
Reality Based Personal Protection comes to the UK
officer, police officer, SWAT officer, diplomatic bodyguard and a counter terrorist agent with the US government as well as having many years training in a range of traditional based martial arts systems. In addition, he is one of the worlds top police and military defensive tactics instructors. He has trained elite units world wide, including the US Marshals, FBI SWAT, German GSG9, Israeli Special Forces and the list goes on. In doing so, Jim has obtained the very best techniques, tactics and training methods from the worlds best and placed them into a reality based civilian system that is easy to learn, easy to retain and covers more than mere punching and kicking. oes your self-defence training including how to defend yourself against knife attacks? Most martial arts systems do. However, when your opponent attacks you with a rubber or plastic knife in order for you to practice a disarm, do you find that the blood all over your hands makes the technique more difficult? Right about now you might be thinking - Blood? What blood? Not in training! Jim Wagners Reality Based Personal Protection System uses stage blood when learning to defend against full speed, full contact and unpredictable knife attacks.
AS REAL
Why?
Physically, blood is slippery and makes even the most perfected technique very difficult. The use of stage blood allows students to get used to the sensation and adapt accordingly. Psychologically, it prepares students for the realities of defending against such a gruesome tool, because in reality, no matter how well trained you are - you will get cut. This is just one example of the revolutionary training methods developed by the Reality Based Personal Protection Systems founder - Jim Wagner. Few self-defence instructors in the world can come close to Jims background. Hes a former soldier, prison
1
But what is reality based?

There are three distinct branches in the martial arts, and they are 1. Traditional-based martial arts 2. Sport-based martial arts 3. Reality-Based martial arts. Traditional-based systems, such as Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Kung-fu and others, are ancient systems that adhere to ancient techniques and training methods, typically wearing uniforms and requiring students to learn foreign customs, traditions and terminology. Found within these systems are fundamental self-defence principals, but are
2
not structured to teach students to survive modern conflict situations such as kidnapping, bombings, armed robberies, stalking, car-jackings and gang violence to name but a few. Sportbased systems, such as Ju-Jitsu, Judo, Greco-Roman Wrestling, Western boxing, and others, have their roots in traditional-based martial arts, but adhere to sporting rules in order to compete in various tournaments, sporting events, or even the Olympics. Like the traditional-based martial arts, viable self-defence techniques and training methods can be gleaned from sport-based systems, but, like the traditional-based systems, they lack many modern conflict solutions. Reality-based systems are those systems that teach the fundamental selfdefence techniques that are found in both the traditional-based and sportbased systems, but go a step further by training specifically for modern conflict situations, and eliminating outdated techniques and training methods. Although there are many systems today calling themselves realitybased, because they have abandoned non-essential customs and traditions and wear jeans instead of a gi when training, few of them are actually complete reality-based systems. In other words, they lack Pre-Conflict and Post-Conflict training in their curricu3
lums and their Conflict training may be lacking simply because they have no real-world experience with criminals, abnormals, or terrorism.
Pre-Conflict training
Is the foundation for all Reality Based Personal Protection training and includes: Threat assessment, awareness and avoidance, conflict cues (reading a person for hostilities), observation skills, the O.O.D.A. process (psychology of a conflict), legal issues, threat zone management and much more.
few instructors are qualified to teach: Defence against terrorist bombings and small arms attacks, conflict stress management, criminal style stabbings, car jacking, drive-by shootings, kidnappings, third party protection, sexual assault, armed robbery, criminal chemical attacks, school and workplace massacres, child abductions, sniper attacks, scenario training - just to name a few. Of course, Reality Based Personal Protection teaches all the strikes, blocks, and movements common to other systems, but only those techniques that will actually work in the streets.
Conflict training
The Reality Based Personal Protection System gives students what
Post-Conflict training
Include those actions immediately following a physical conflict, such as
self-triage and conflict first aid, victim rescues, citizens arrest methods, incident recollection, evidence identification and preservation, police contact, dealing with post traumatic stress, courtroom survival, and the list goes on. Any instructor from any system can utilize Jims training methods and techniques to enhance their own training. We are lucky enough to have Jim visit the UK in June 2007 to train students and those who wish to become Instructors in this revolutionary system. For details on qualified UK Instructors, and upcoming Instructor courses go to: www.jimwagnertraining .com Or contact Pete Lee, UK Director at: www.realitybased.co.uk rbsd@hotmail.co.uk 07793 891533
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To order via mail simply send a cheque for the total amount including p&p to: Raising Awareness Productions, The Studio, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9NF Credit/debit cards are accepted on our website 24hrs - 7 days a week www.raisingawarenessproductions.com
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BACK IN THE DAY

My style? I suppose you could call it the art of fighting without fighting
Bruce Lee - Enter the Dragon 1973
lton John was rocking his Crocodile, Pink Floyd were on the dark side of the moon and Ray Stevens was doing the streak, while the Bay City Rollers were singing Bye Bye baby. We were all at least 5 inches taller balancing on our platform shoes with grace and dignity, strutting our stuff in our Paisley design polyester shirts with flairs the size of Piccadilly circus and smelling of splash it all over Brut 33. Kojak, The Avengers (with Joanna
Lumley), Dads Army, On the Buses, Love Thy Neighbour, the chopper bike, klackers and skate boards were giving us hours of fun, while we indulged in such culinary delights as the Aztec bar, Amazin Raisin and were even risking it for a Swisskit. Weebles were wobbling but never fell down. Breakfast was Golden Nuggets washed down with Cresta lemonade (its frothy man), lunch was Snackpot (the pre-curser of todays Pot Noodle) and a young Chris Tarrant was telling us Today is Saturday, watch and smile on Tiswas, while the Wombles were wombling in Wimbledon. This was the 70s and a Martial arts storm was looming and about to change some of our lives forever.
I make no apologies to the younger ones of you who are wandering what on Earth we were doing wearing Brut 33 and balancing on our platform shoes! I have decided to write this article not just as a nostalgic piece but also because the 70s were an historic milestone in modern Martial arts. The Japanese had the high ground on popular martial arts in the West from the early part of the 20th century with Ju-Jitsu and Judo. Wrestling, Boxing and fencing were also our bread and butter fighting arts during these years. Karate made its real ground during the late fifties and throughout the 60s. However no-one could have seen the popularity explosion from a little known martial art called Kung Fu heading
By Kru Shaun Boland
towards the gregariously dressed 70s teenager. It is generally agreed that this was singularly down to one man, Lee Siu Lung, the little Dragon or more popularly known as - Bruce Lee. He died in 1973 and never got to see the impact and frenzy that he had ignited with classic films such as, Big Boss, Fists of Fury, Way of the Dragon, Enter the Dragon and his unfinished last film, eerily named, Game of Death. Through the release of these films in the West, the market place on South East Asian films especially from Hong Kong was opened. Classics such as, The one armed swordsman, King Boxer, 5 fingers of death and The legend of the 7 golden vampires were making it to our shores. We didnt care if the dubbing was out of synch and that all the stories were the same subject - revenge. It was just good action! Many of us enrolled at the nearest Kung Fu school (Kwoon) and the most popular arts of the day were Lau Gar and Wing Chun. Other martial arts were gaining in popularity too, the Korean arts of Taekwondo and Tang Soo Do were making it to the fight circuit. Shotokan and Wado Ryu were amongst the many popular styles of Karate and Masters Sken, Woody and Toddy were amongst the first Thais to plant the seeds of Muay Thai here in the UK. The martial arts were everywhere, magazine firsts such as Combat, KungFu monthly, Clash and Fighting arts illustrated were hitting our newsagents. (First editions of these magazines are fetching high prices on E-bay and are desperately sought by collectors today). The Nunchaku (Rice flail) was responsible for many elbows being cracked and receiving dead arms as a result of your funny bone being hit when trying to catch the chucks under your armpit Bruce Lee style. Even pop music was influenced by the Carl Douglas no1 hit Kung Fu Fighting. The Goodies got in on the act too and produced the hilarious Ecky thump episode on their hit comedy series. (Many Lancastrians are still training in this deadly art and some are very proficient with their weapon of choice, the black pudding!). Those of us who became engrossed in this maelstrom of fighting arts practised every day. Training halls were generally school gyms or church halls hired out by our instructors and we bought our training kit from them. Tokaido karate suits were the height of fashion for the budding karateka, while the kung-fu practitioner opted for the Bruce Lee style white cuffed jackets with frog ties, and trousers with elasticated ankles. Black Kung Fu shoes
were also necessary additions to the fashion conscious martial artist. If we were not at our respective training halls we were practising at school with our mates or going through our routines at home. We were consumed by it and as a result of this, dare I say obsession, it has become a way of life for most of us. Every week we were glued to our T.V screens watching the latest episode of Kung Fu starring David Carradine as Kwai Chang Caine or Grasshopper as we fondly came to know him. The years have rolled on now and as they unfolded we saw the boom of the semi-contact and full contact circuit in the 80s. The 90s marked the beginning of the UFC and cage fighting. While Ju- Jitsu, MMA, Muay Thai and Penjak Silat are the popular flavours of recent times. However I cannot help to feel privileged having been through the 70s boom, everything was so fresh and new and exciting, I guess it must have been akin to the music in the 60s when new sounds were being introduced into popular music. Those of us who have lasted the course are into our forties now and yet for some of us the excitement, thrill and learning continues to envelop us. It seems only yesterday when I first put on my Judo Gi and felt proud to be part of the Judo club. When I did my first spinning back kick without falling over and when I stood in front of my school mates and, in Bruce Lee style, sent my Nunchaku hurtling at breath taking speed around my body and arms, finally catching them under my arm while at the same time extending my other arm with an open hand Bruce Lee style gesture, complete with complimentary sound effect of aooowwwwww!
Those of you who were there can look back with fond memories, of fun times and innocence of youth but, at he same time, know that we gained experience along the way. More importantly, we are continuing to learn and grow as martial artists irrespective of our styles. Let us also remember that our young protgs will also be looking back in 30 years time when films like Ong Bak, The Matrix and X Men graced their screens. Watching Buffy slaying her adversaries on TV while eating their pot noodles and drinking Cherry Coke, fighting to the death on the latest Xbox game and by the week-end passing their fast tracked belt grade. This, like ours, is their age of discovery and like our mentors before us (Thank you Sensei John Cully- my first instructor and mentor) we have the same responsibilities to guide them towards their personal liberation.
Quickly as you can, snatch the pebble from my hand Grasshopper tries and fails, When you can take the pebble from my hand, it will be time for you to leave.
Master Kan Kung fu, the T.V series Kru Shaun Boland is the Chief Instructor and Founder of Chao Phraya Muay Thai Academy in Cambridgeshire. If you wish to discuss any related topics from his articles please E-mail: krushaun@btinternet.com in addition you can visit his award winning website www.chaophrayamuaythai.com to learn more
WUSHU TRAINING
IN CHINA
More than meets the eye
iu Li has practiced Wushu from the age of 6 to the age of 11. Wushu requires the flexibility of gymnastics, the speed and power of martial arts and the elegance of theatrical performance. Practising Wushu has given Lius body good flexibility and excellent co-ordination. After 20 years, she still can perform cartwheels and high kicks! During the last 3 years Liu has introduced Chinese Theatre techniques into her training. She has also been to RADA for Stage Management training, which has really helped her on the organising front.
COMBAT: How were you able to set up such great packages training trips to China?
LIU LI: Fortunately I have found a great partner in Chen Lei, who is based in China and now runs the tour side of the business. This means that were able to offer much better deals, as we have someone in-country who can work directly with the people involved. Chen Lei has been in Britain teaching Wushu for a number of years. His main role is geared towards ensuring that every need of the attendees is catered for (languages, dietary etc) and that they are able to sample the visual and cul-
tural delights of China to maximum effect. Because he has a very good understanding of the British and their ways he is able to smooth over any troubled waters and easily overcome the cultural barriers that you would expect with such different cultures coming together like this. The holidays initially came about after a couple of British Wushu practitioners found my website and called me saying that they would like to come to London for Wushu tuition. Because I have to pay for studio hire and administration, 30 per hour is the least I can charge them. This meant that 6 hours training each day, would cost 180 per day therefore around 1000 for a weeks training. This did not include the cost of accommodation, food and travelling. Obviously this is beyond most peoples ability. I realised that if they could travel to China for the training, it would cost half of the price for two weeks training! In the end, they took up the training in China. They were able to train with a different coach each time for different routines, learning many new skills, and polishing their performances. Aside from the training they were also able to enjoy not only great Chinese food but also visited the Great Wall, the Summer Palace and martial arts master Huo Yusnjias Kwoon. They enjoyed themselves so much that they said they would like
to go back again the next year! This inspired me and so I decided to make a real go at offering these packages on a wider basis.
COMBAT: Do you have plans to offer other arts such as San Shou, Preying Mantis etc?
LIU LI: Yes, our programmes include all traditional styles and all styles of Tai Chi, San Shou and Preying Mantis as well as Modern Wushu.
COMBAT: Have you had a good response?

LIU LI: We have over one hundred people booked to fly out this Easter alone, which is certainly keeping us on our toes, especially as attendees are able to pick and choose the structure of the course for themselves. The feedback from this has been excellent with attendees saying that they were very impressed with the standards and organisation. It is crucially important to get a product marketed properly nowadays. We have big plans for the advertising campaign. Combat magazine alone reaches thousands of martial arts clubs and because it has such a big readership I expect a good response.
COMBAT: You certainly seem to be very busy, are you involved in anything else?
LIU LI: Seni07 is going to be hosted in London, and I have taken part in organising and promoting the Wushu aspect of the show. Master Wu Bin (Jet Lis instructor) has been invited to the show to teach Wushu. The lessons will be of benefit to people from any styles be they traditional or modern, empty-handed or weapon based and his course will be well structured with a lot of hands-on time. Every technique will be demonstrated by CaoYue the next Jet Li! CaoYue has won the Asian Youth Wushu Championship and is a member of the Beijing Wushu team. This is obviously a rare and wonderful opportunity. Master Wu Bin is honoured as one of the Ten Internationally Great Masters. The DuanWei system is equivalent to the Karate belts ranking system and he has achieved the 9th Duan, the highest rank. He is also the Chief Instructor of the Beijing Wushu team, President of the Beijing Wushu Institute, and holds other top positions in Wushu such as Chairman of the Technical Committee of the International Wushu Federation and Chairman of the Technical Committee of Wushu Federation of Asia. Master Wu will also supervise the first Wushu Open Championship in Seni07, watch this space!
COMBAT: Wushu seems to be very theatrical, what do you think it has to offer for the more fight-orientated students?
LIU LI: This is something that I must admit has caused some confusion. For the Chinese, Wushu basically means martial arts. When we say Wushu we mean Chinese Martial Arts. Within that term however is Modern Wushu, which most people in the West associate with Wushu. Wushu is very rich in form and content, encompassing hundreds of styles and Patterns and many people enjoy learning them for many years. Wushu has 4 elements: First, Wushu is a martial art. Most gestures and movements can be explained in the term of attacking or defending. Some forms and routines are still used to train the police force and army today. Secondly, Modern Wushu is a competitive sport. It has developed from traditional Wushu and has unified routines and measurable features that have made the art a sport that anyone can compete in and so that it can gain recognition from the Olympic committee. Modern Wushu is a wonderful style for young people to learn. I always feel uncomfortable watching young girls learning kickboxing and San Shou. I feel that Modern Wushu is more appropriate for them. I think that many young boys and girls would like to learn Modern Wushu if they were able to have that choice. Unfortunately, there are not many modern Wushu classes around at all. This is why we feel the course is so good as we have the facility for more British instructors and fans to have this unique experience, help them in their promotion of the style and aid the growth of Wushu in the United Kingdom. Thirdly, Wushu is also a performing art. It is beautiful to watch on screen and stage. Gung-fu films are full of Wushu actions performed by Chinese Wushu masters. It is a shame, many Gong-fu film fans fail to find a Wushu class locally, and fall into other categories of martial arts instead. I have thought about advertising the training in Dancing schools. Finally, Wushu is a good physical exercise with obvious benefits.
For further details, please go to www.ms-l.co.uk/
C
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M A R T I A L
A R T S
alendar
This section is provided as a service to all our readers. If you have information which you would like to appear in the calendar we must receive it six weeks in advance. Send your entry to Calendar, Combat, 135 Aldridge Road, Perry Barr, Birmingham, B42 2ET. E-Mail: calendar@martialartsinprint.com
MAY
5/6 Hit harder, mover quicker boxing concepts - tvp instructors course with Tommy Thompson & Rocky Sondhi, Nottingham. Contact tvp Institute on 0115 955 5109. Taishindo Defence Combat System, ground fighting workshop, Dumfermline, Fife. 15, 10am-1pm, contact Stuart 07877 824003 or stuart@taishindo.co.uk BSKI 1 day course, open to all Karateka, The Oldham Sports Centre, Lord St, Oldham. For details contact Fred on 07782 345646 or cgidley@bski.fsnet.co.uk Funakoshi Memorial training, 24 hours of training, Devon, 20. The Karate Academy, Newton Abbot, Devon. Call 01626 360999 for more information Prof Rick Clark, Cabra, Dublin. For details contact Jon Mackey 085-7309740 or iutfdublin@eircom.net or www.iutf-dublin.com Tsuyoi-Ryu South Harting Spring course Friday-Tuesday (Camping). For details contact Gerry Bryan on 01243 266586 Prof Rick Clark, Rathfarnum, Dublin. For details contact Paul Hughes 087-8053778 or paulrhughes1@eircom.net International Chang Hon TaeKwon-Do seminar with ICTF Master Mel Steiner 8th Degree, Merseyside. 20 per day, 10am6pm. Contact Brian on 01704 876290. The Infinite group presents the pro-active sphere, Church Stretton Secondary School, Shropshire. Contact 07899 801269 for details. Prof Rick Clark, Ennis, Co. Clare. For details contact John Tunney 087-1249616 or johnjtuney@eircom.net Prof Rick Clark Tralee, Kerry. For details contact Niall Wright on 086-0526319 or NiallWright@KerryKarate.com www.kerrykarate.com Prof Rick Clark Castleisland, Kerry. For details contact Niall Wright on 086-0526319 or NiallWright@KerryKarate.com www.kerrykarate.com Prof Rick Clark Kenmare, Kerry. For details contact Niall Wright on 086-0526319 or NiallWright@KerryKarate.com www.kerrykarate.com Jeet Kune Do workshop, Merseyside with Sifu Alex Jameson, full instructor under Sifu Steve Golden one of Bruce Lees students. 0151 513 8745 ww.jeetkunedomerseyside.co.uk Prof Rick Clark Cork City. For details contact Paul OLeary 086-3545032 or jungshin@mac.com www.jungshin-tkd.com BIKO Referee/Judges & Table Official course, Canterbury. 11:00pm-3:00pm, Contact The Secretary 01227 369212 or 07778-169212 www.bik.org.uk Seni 07 - The Combat Sports Show, Europes Martial Arts Exhibition & Festival, ExCel, London. Tickets 8 adults 5 children. Ticketmaster 0870 6077477 or www.senishow.com Pain & Glory, K1 Max Tournament plus MT & MMA Superbouts, ExCel London Docklands, tickets 25, 75 RS, Ticketmaster 0870 6077 477. Prof Rick Clark, Waterford City. For details contact John McGrath or Colette Kent on 087-9025141 info@waterfordmartialarts.com www.waterfordmartialaqrts.com Patrick McCarthy 8th dan hanshi, flow drills & kata applications, 20. The Karate Academy, Newton Abbot, Devon. Call 01626 360999 for details Prof Rick Clark, Fermoy, Co. Cork. For details contact Brian Toomy on 087-2500783 ijkaireland@eircom.net www.geocities.com/ijkaireland Prof Rick Clark Bantry, Co. Cork. For details contact Les Elliot audreybooaudreyles@yahoo.co.uk
Taishindo Defence Combat System, vertical grappling workshop, Dumfermline, Fife. 15, 10am-1pm, contact Stuart 07877 824003 or stuart@taishindo.co.uk International Martial Arts Tournament, Douglas, Isle of Man. WUKO rules, no entry fees, start 10:00am. Contact Frank Newton 01624 612305. Doce Pares Eskrima seminar with Grandmaster Danny Guba in Cambridge. Tel: 01223 565020 or email: info@cama.org.uk Disclosures of light from the core, Krishan Godhania presents the core of sayoc kali, Church Stretton Secondary School, Shropshire. Contact 07899 801269 Open to all styles championship series, consecutive points, Peter Paine Sports Centre, Boston, doors open 10am. Call Andrew 01733 810043 www.bostonseries.co.uk BIKO Open Weapons Training Course, Maiden Place Community Centre, Reading. Authentic kobudo kata will be taught. Contact The Secretary 01227 369212. Jeet Kune Do workshop, Merseyside with Sifu Alex Jameson, full instructor under Sifu Steve Golden one of Bruce Lees students. 0151 513 8745 ww.jeetkunedomerseyside.co.uk 13th Scottish Karate Alliance Children & Cadet Open, Citadel Leisure Centre, Ayr. 1-5pm shobu-ippon (hand pads) kata, kumite, contact Bill Hair 07979 222986. Tsuyoi-Ryu, Knockdown seminar, East Grinstead dojo, start 3pm. For details contact Gerry Bryan on 01243 266586 Combat Champions League, Event 2 - England. For details phone 0121 344 3737 or Curtis Page 07939 217772 The Infinite group presents core trapping/anti grapple, Church Stretton Secondary School, Shropshire. Contact 07899 801269 for details. AMA Northwest Karate Championships 2007, Buy Castle. Leisure Centre, Bury. For information Contact Peter on 0161 797 1077 or 07939 289711. Close-Quarter & Savate Defence seminar with Ollie Batts in Cambridge. Tel: 01223 565020 or email: info@savaqte.net AMA Jujitsu seminar with visiting Jujitsu masters, Leeds & Bolton, limited places. Details from Colin Whitaker on 07759 837193. UK Martial Arts Federation, combat weapons course, Nottingham. Instructor Phil Mead 6th dan, details from 0115 9702877. AMA course with Oren Gorgov & Kube Mizrahki, Leeds Met University, 10:30 till 4pm. 20, limited places, must pre book. Contact Colin Whitaker 079635 02424 Zazen Karate Academy, Kata application & kyusho techniques seminar, 12-3pm, Eastbourne, East Sussex. Call 01323 736389 or 07952 670349 for details. Hokushin Karate Academy/Karate-no-Michi World Federation (GB) course, Glasgow. Contact Mike on 07879 238089. Kanazawa sensei - Open course, Lilleshall National Sports Centre, Telford. Details 01952 201479 or www.wrekinshotokan.com tony@wrekinshotokan.com EMA 2007 Open Championships, Grand Championship Trophy Day, Boston, The Peter Paine Sports Centre, Roseberry Avenue, PE21 7QR. Tel 01142 747825 for details. Northern Open Classic Karate Championships, Sutton Leisure Centre, Merseyside. Reg 9.00 start 10:00am, for details contact Brian on 07736 741332. Judgement Day, Sheffield. Open to all styles, entries must be paid by 13th April. Contact Brian Beck 0114 2640114 / 0779 1227075 or www.judgementday.co.uk
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UK Martial Arts Federation, combat weapons course, Nottingham. Instructor Phil Mead 6th dan, details from 0115 9702877. Steve Tappin presents the core of street effective escrima, Church Stretton Secondary School, Shropshire. Contact 07899 801269 for details.
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JUNE
1/2/3 2 WAKO 12th International Bestfighter Tournament. For any questions contact Gianfranco at info@bestfighter.com Burakudo Open Children & Cadet Karate Championships, Citadel Leisure Centre, Ayr Scotland. 1-5pm, contact Bill Hair on 07979 222986 or billhair@aol.com Taishindo Defence Combat System, edged weapons defence workshop, Dumfermline, Fife. 15, 10am-1pm, contact Stuart 07877 824003 or stuart@taishindo.co.uk BIKO, Level One Coaching Course, Cambridge, must pre book, 12:00pm-4:00pm, Contact The Secretary 01227 369212 or 07778-169212 www.bik.org.uk Doce Pares Eskrima seminar with Percival Pableo & Danny Guba in Cambridge. Tel 01223 565020 or email info@cama.org.uk Hit harder, mover quicker boxing concepts - tvp instructors course with Tommy Thompson & Rocky Sondhi, Nottingham. Contact tvp Institute on 0115 955 5109. Master Percival Val Pableo 2 day seminar, Kent open to all. 80 in advance for both days, 100 on the door 10am-4pm. 07932 746642 or info@rapidarnis.com The infinite group presents the re-active sphere, Church Stretton Secondary School, Shropshire. Contact 07899 801269 for details. Hokushin Karate Academy/Karate-no-Michi World Federation (GB) course, Glasgow. Contact Mike on 07879 238089. 31st Cumbria Open Karate Championships, Carlisle. Juniors start 9am, seniors start 2pm. Entry through club or instructor only. Contact Doug 016974 73239 Open to all styles championship series, consecutive points, Peterborough, Doors open 10am start 11 prompt. Call Andrew 01733 810043 www.peterboroughseries.co.uk Jeet Kune Do workshop, Merseyside with Sifu Alex Jameson, full instructor under Sifu Steve Golden one of Bruce Lees students. 0151 513 8745 ww.jeetkunedomerseyside.co.uk UK Martial Arts Federation, combat weapons course, Nottingham. Instructor Phil Mead 6th dan, details from 0115 9702877. Combat Champions League, Event 3 - England. For details phone 0121 344 3737 or Del Sampson 07836 555394. Mick Coup BCA presents c2 core combatives anti grapple, Church Stretton Secondary School, Shropshire. Contact 07899 801269 for details. AMA National British Karate Championships, Harvey Hadden, Nottingham. Closing date for entries 11th June. Contact Peter on 0161 797 1077 or 07939 289711. Tsyuyoi Knockdown Fighting seminar (Bare knuckle full contact) For details contact Gerry Bryan on 01243 266586 Zazen Karate Academy, Wespons attacks - and how to survive them seminar, 12-3pm Haywards Heath, West Sussex. Call 01323 736389 or 07952 670349 for details.
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THE BEST IN MARTIAL ARTS COVERAGE

Vol. 33 No. 4 3.50 Vol. 33 No. 4 3.50

A nostalgic look at the martial arts

MASTER OF COMBAT RETURNS

A legend with a social conscience!

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Page 4 COMBAT April 2007

VOLUME 33 NUMBER 4 APRIL 2007 PUBLISHER/MANAGING DIRECTOR

0121 327 8880

COMBAT April 2007 Page 5

Blades Flash! Costumes Dazzle!

Duelist is released theatrically by Contender March 30th 2007

COMBAT April 2007 Page 15

Bruce Lee the idol of millions

Action Star Supreme!

Bruce Lee with a friend at a local park

Bruce with Sylvia Lai at the park.

COMBAT April 2007 Page 17

Book of the month

COMBAT April 2007 Page 19

DVD of the Month

DVD of the Month

WING CHUN TODAY

Wing Chun Fighting Lines and Areas

AMA is affiliated to;

Tel: 07973 507716

CHAMPIONS LOG BOOK

By Rocky Sondhi & Tommy Thompson

Assumption About Ourselves

Assumption About Opponent

Aerobic Anaerobic Power

Page 28 COMBAT April 2007

Flexibility Speed Agility Quickness Technique Variety

Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent

Who cares? Will be slow due to age? Will not be mobile?

Quickness Technique Variety

Aerobic Anaerobic Power

The real deal brings glamour to the world of MMA!

COMBAT April 2007 Page 33

Article by Ralph Allison

COMBAT April 2007 Page 37

Page 38 COMBAT April 2007

With the panel introduced lets get onto the questions:

1. What does your belt/grade mean to you?

2. What distinguishes martial art from martial sport?

Page 40 COMBAT April 2007

Yoga for the Martial Artist

The Keyboard Warrior

He knows whats going on !!!

Have an MMA fantasy!

Call yourself a MAN?

Cooking, hair-dye techniques and world peace at the IFL?

Page 44 COMBAT April 2007

Seagal, but not as we know it

Guilty your honour? Neigh not me!

Eye-toy Kinetic? Fat gamers beware!

Who IS Pat OKeefe?

Volume 2 Defensive Techniques