Ren Yi Wu Kwan Tang Sou Dao International Expands to Northern Ireland

June 2003

Grandmaster M K Loke made a visit to Whitehead in Northern Ireland to assess the progress of the first club that side of the Irish Sea.

The Club was set up about one and a half years ago by Mr Kevin Austin when he moved back to his native Northern Ireland after living and training in England.

To mark the occasion, Grandmaster Loke took a class and then presided over what was then the Club's third grading which was well attended.

The Grandmaster was accompanied on his trip by Mr Ryan Debenham (3rd Duan) who gave an impressive demonstration of forms, sparring and breaking techniques.

Following the grading, Grandmaster Loke conducted a technical workshop with Kevin Austin where he emphasised the increased importance of tactical footwork, timing, centre line and distance. In addition, closed and open sides were explained and the relevance of hip as well as short range power stressed. These techniques are fundamental behind the development of Tang Sou Dao (see 'Development of Ren Yi Wu Kwan Tang Sou Dao' - Combat Magazine - August 1998).

After the technical workshop, in recognition of Kevin's own personal development, commitment and dedication in establishing and developing the new club in Northern Ireland, Grandmaster Loke was pleased to promote him to 2nd Duan Black Belt.

Grandmaster Loke recollected that when he first came to England in 1973, he had only six students. Since then he has seen the enrolment of 8000 students including over 400 black belts and the establishment of a full time Headquarters and training centre. He felt confident that Tang Sou Dao in Northern Ireland would be a strong part of this continued success.

From an initial report by Mr Kevin Austin (2nd Duan - Whitehead, Northern Ireland)

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