news and updates competition 2003

	Index
-	Foreword from Grandmaster Loke

-	Thau (Forms) Competition Results
-	Tooi-Ta (Free Sparring) Competition Results
-	Special Awards

-	Group Photograph
-	Photographs: morning Forms / Thau Competitions (2 pages)
-	Photographs: afternoon Free-Fighting / Tooi Ta Competitions (3 pages)

-	Movie 1: Boys 7-10yrs 4-1 Ji Tooi Ta (153kb 5 seconds)
-	Movie 2: Boys 9-14 yrs Duan Tooi Ta 1 (69kb 2 seconds)
-	Movie 3: Boys 9-14 yrs Duan Tooi Ta 2 (190kb 6 seconds)
-	Movie 4: Men Duan Tooi Ta 1 (61kb 2 seconds) Adam Blakemore, 3rd Duan (Strood) vs. Kar Tse, 1st Duan (Bishops Stortford)
-	Movie 5: Men Duan Tooi Ta 2 (165kb 6 seconds)
-	Movie 6: Men Duan Tooi Ta 3 (297kb 10 seconds)

-	Article by Andrew Mangion, 8th Ji (Hornchurch)

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Foreword from Grandmaster Loke

I write to congratulate everyone on the success of our 2003 National Championships. This year the highest number of participants was recorded, since our first Championships in 1979. Year after year, referees, judges, officials worked hard and diligently in carrying out their duties to ensure this brilliant outcome. All of you had to work continuously throughout the day and many had to compete as well.

Winner of the "Bill Edwards Memorial Award for most outstanding Under-16 yrs student for 2003" with Senior Instructors.
L to R: Master Joe Page, Master Keith Blakemore, Master Susan Merrell, Master Adam Goward, Grandmaster Loke, Master Clive Butterworth, Master Peter Jackson and Master Christopher Cook

Despite a long and tiring day everyone, including families and friends thoroughly enjoyed the day. Participants both young and adult waited patiently for their turn to compete with good spirit, skill and vigour. Technical excellence was executed with self-control, and admired by all present. This is true martial art spirit, well displayed.

Boys 13-15 yrs Duan Competitors with referee Master Joe Page

In particular, shi fu and instructors are to be commended for encouraging their students to participate. The positive results of the day-to-day teaching and training are evident in the discipline, self-control and friendliness shown. Our Ren Yi Wu Kwan Championships is not just about competition, it is our annual "martial art family" celebration where we stand proudly in strength, meet old friends, make new friends, and applaud each other's effort and technical improvement.

A vote of thanks must go to Senior Instructors, Master Butterworth 5th Duan, Master Merrell 5th Duan, Master Goward 5th Duan, Master Cook 5th Duan, who are always there in the fore to assist and guide their juniors with their wealth of experience coupled with a strong sense of duty.

This year, I have singled out Mr Jeffrey Thomas, 3rd Duan, age 57 from Rochford, Essex, to receive our Special Commendation Award for Outstanding Martial Art Spirit, Dedication and Loyalty. Mr Thomas has been my personal student for the last 16 years, always present to give his best thrice weekly in class, one of the first to hand in his championship entry form, and an exemplary Duan student who is well-liked by everyone. This is one of the rare occasions when an instructor is humbled as well as enthused by a student's spirit and steadfastness. Well done, Jeff, and I am sure we will all see you in action for the next 16 years, at least!

Mr Jeff Thomas receiving his Special Commendation
Award from Grandmaster Loke

Special Commendation Winner
Mr Jeff Thomas with Grandmaster Loke

The 2003 Bill Edwards Award for the Most Outstanding U-16 student (see special article on website) goes to Miss Danielle Young 1st Duan, age 12 from Hornchurch, Essex. Danielle has shown exceptional focus and endurance for her age, in her 5-lesson weekly class attendance. Her parents and family are also to be congratulated for their encouragement and support.

I would also like to take this opportunity to wish Dr Alejandro Aragon-Zavala, 3rd Duan and his family our best wishes on his recent return to Mexico. A dedicated martial artist, who has practised for 17 years in other styles, before joining Master Goward's class at Haywards Heath. Master Goward and I are very confident that he will be a good ambassador for our Ren Yi Wu Kwan in his native land.

I invite your comments, suggestions, articles, photos of the Championships or any other activity/observations which may be of interest to all of us. They will be passed on to our very able website management duo - Mr Steven Merrell, 3rd Duan and Miss Tina Matania, 2nd Duan - for consideration and publication.

Throughout the last 30 years since my first class in South Ockendon in 1973, many of you have progressed to be Shi Fu and Instructors, entered matrimony (several among the same class!) begin parenthood, enrol your off-springs, aged gracefully into grand-parenthood and enrolled your grand off-springs as well!! Looking back, we have come a long way.

My family has been tremendous in their support both in spirit and actively in the daily running of our school, and I look forward to the next 30 years to continue developing our Ren Yi Wu Kwan further for future generations to inherit and carry forward this unending journey.

Tang Sou

Grandmaster Loke

Amanda Hewlett (Harlow) vs Siew Ying Loke (Grays HQ)

Master Joe Page referees the Boys 13-15 yrs Tooi Ta Bout

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