Tang Sou Dao National Championships 2011

	Index
	Foreword from Grandmaster Loke
	Results & Awards
	Articles:
	Send your Championship articles to Grandmaster Loke by e-mail to tangsoudao@aol.com

	Photographs:
	Thank you to our professional photography company 'moomoo' who were present on the day. You can view and purchase pictures from 'moomoo' - the password to view photographs is tsd2011 (all lower case, no spaces). moomoo tel: 01702 471 615 Leigh on Sea, Essex
	From our roving camera ...
	Demonstrations
	Ji Grade Thau / Form events
	Duan Grade Thau / Form events
	Duan Grade Advanced Kicking Form event
	Practice Bout
	Ji Grade Tooi Ta / Free-sparring events
	Duan Grade Tooi Ta / Free-sparring events
	Master Grade Tooi Ta / Free-sparring events
	Other photographs taken during the day
	Presentation of Awards
	Duan Grade Presentations Picture Gallery

GROUP PHOTOGRAPH is available from Headquarters.
Please send cheque for £9.00 payable to B.T.S.D.F. giving your name, club and full address in order to receive an 18 x 12 inches size photograph.

Foreword from Grandmaster Loke

I am very proud to announce that our 19th National Championships at Clements Hall Leisure Centre on 12th November 2011 was another huge success.

Our wu kwans (branches) from near and far made great efforts and sacrifices to come together and participate as a Martial Arts family, with enthusiasm and spirit. Particular special commendation must go to contestants from Whitehead (Co.Antrim) and Dublin (Trinity College) University under Master Kevin Austin 4th Duan and Mr Patrick Stewart 1st Duan. Also a vote of thanks to our local volunteers who assisted to make their three day stay in Essex a memorable one.

Referees, Judges and Officials were responsible for the smooth running and safety of our Championships. They contributed considerable hard work before and during the day to achieve this successful outcome. We must also remember the support of parents, grandparents and other relatives who have given their time to ensure their young children attend classes regularly.

I saw continuing technical improvement in the Thau/Form competition. The present Pin-an forms which I introduced in 1997 and the creation of the Luohan Forms since then, has very much become 'our very own'. I look forward to introducing more techniques and forms in the near future. The Tooi Ta/ Free-Fighting bouts were fought well and courageously. Referees did their duty admirably to ensure fairness and safety. Our Championship is a good opportunity for competitors to gain more experience and increase self-confidence. Naturally, we are ALL nervous when confronting a new opponent from another wu kwan, and I hope new cross-club friendships were borne out of this shared experience. I was gratified to see there was good sportsmanship from all regions. The Men Veterans (38+) and Senior Veterans (50+) turned up in strength, as they constituted the largest group among the adult participants. Bravo!

The top prize of this year goes to 11 year old Duan student from Loughton (Essex), David Cohen-Morton. He wins the Bill Edwards Memorial Award (see Bill Edwards Memorial Award) for the most outstanding Under-16 student for 2011. David trains with his dad, younger sister and brother; and not forgetting mum Katy, who gives all of them encouragement. David has been consistently training 2-3 times a week since age five. Well Done David! A further eight trophies were awarded to contestants who have shown outstanding performance and spirit. Like them, it is your participation that counts - to achieve this successful and enjoyable day.

As usual, the demonstrations were performed with vigour and much preparation. This year our Ladies Shi Fus' led the displays. Master Angie Thomas demonstrated ably the application of Luohan Er Duan with the assistance of Rochford Duans, including her father Master Jeff Thomas. From HQ, Master Stephanie Debenham showed great timing and precision against knife attack from Kristian Knight. Master Tina Matania with Shawn Feltham from Epsom surprised everyone with her 'tin can arcade' (as she named it) which requires good balance, accuracy and timing. This was indeed a "brave" demo!

The success of the Championships very much mirror the dedication and teaching ability of all instructors. But remember, the knowledge and guidance from your Shi Fu can only count as the first crucial step towards your own development in the technical as well as philosophical (social maturity) progress in our Ren Yi Wu Kwan. Your martial art journey will largely rest on your own perseverance and self-motivation with the whole- hearted support of your family. On my part, I am always motivated to teach, inspired by your dedication , effort and loyalty. I am sure all instructors are encouraged in the same way, by their students. Looking around the Championship hall, I am indeed humbled by scores of Duan students and Shi Fus who have travelled with me along this WU DAO (way of the Martial Art ), and adapted to the changes and continuing development that I have personally experienced and introduced since I arrived in Great Britain in October 1973 to teach at a very young age of 21. Roll on another 30 years!

Tang Sou!

Yours sincerely

Grandmaster Loke

A Tang Sou Family!
Alan, Katy, Galil, David, Grandmaster Loke and Maayan

Tang Sou!

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