The grading saw a 100% pass only the second time this has happened.  There were five candidates one aiming for senior brown belt; two candidates aiming for first degree black belt and two for second degree black belt.  Congratulations goes to all the candidates and thanks to those that assisted in making this another successful event.

At this year's British Championships all our competitors came from our Watford Group and they exceeded themselves.  For the first time we entered the Sanda and Qingda events.  For those who do not know the Quinda is a semi-contact competition that broadly follows the same rules of kick punch and throw with Junior and Veterans Divisions.   The Qingda events proved as popular as the Sanda and was just as fiercely competed. 

The BIG NEWS for SSK and for John Machell was that John is now the British Sanda under 75kg Champion.  In the final John fought a tremendous battle with his opponent;  with the rounds split and punches kicks and throws coming at all angles.  A well deserved victory. 

The Team also picked up three silver medals on the day with Nic Cumming getting silver in the under 80kg Sanda competition; Nic lost in the final on points to an instructor from Newcastle who had some impressive take down skills.   Adam Hawkins in the under 70kg Veteran Qingda also got a Silver Medal entering his first BCCMA National comp (he lost in final on points).  Our very own David Nicholls picked up another silver medal in the very hotly contested 75-85kg Veteran Qingda Silver Medal.  Dave may have been the oldest and lightest fighter but he took away a well deserved silver.  He won his semi final fight inside the distance, and lost in the final on points to undefeated Champion; not bad at all Dave considering your age!

Pete and Maani were taking on a more relaxed role at the event as national judges - both were barred from assessing when our guys were competing in case you wondered.

In March we successfully conducted Part One of our 2017 Tournament in London the tournament resumes on the 17th September in Watford.  This follows the same format of the March event whereby we combine the Regional Grading with a Taolu (forms competition) and Sanda/Qinda (sparring competition).  

The Taolu competition is a three person team event where teams compete against each other regardless of grade or age.  Three rotating judges score the participants and the individuals accumulate points for their team over three rounds.   For some of the participants this is part of their grading; for others this is a valuable opportunity to assess their progress towards their next grading. 

Our Sanda competition is open to all members over the age of sixteen.  We broadly follow the full Sanda rules but we have adapted it to be mindful that for some people this is there first taste of competitive fighting and therefore safety is as much a part of the event as is the sparring. 

As hoped these events prove to be a valuable springboard for those wishing to compete at the National Level and improve their overall performance.  So put this event in your diaries and get your team mates together and get practicing as there is lots to be won.

Congratulations Dave.   The British Council of Chinese Martial Arts (BCCMA) held its AGM on the 1st July and Dave was elected to the governing body.  This is a great achievement and we wish him well and offer our support to his new role.

With our friends at Independent Drama we have now sent our fourth team*  to help teach a week long  intensive course where the attendees not only obtain a Stage Combat qualification they also learn San Shou Kuan as a kickboxing foundation.   These are great events that are conducted twice a year and our members are encouraged to come along and train in these intensive SSK classes; look out for the next course, provisionally scheduled for January 2018. (*Special thanks to Dave, Nic Cummings, Sara Atri and Jon Alagoa - instructor and actor in residence)

Martial Arts for Actors.  With our friends at Independent Drama we have now run four week long courses where the attendees not only learn Stage Combat they also learn San Shou Kuan as a kickboxing foundation.  These are great events that are conducted twice a year and our members are encouraged to come along and train in these intensive SSK classes; look out for the next course provisionally scheduled for January 2018.  Thanks to Dave, Nic Cummings, Sara Atri and Jon Alagoa - instructor and actor in residence for their hard work with this course.