The Team at The British San'Da Championships

The BCCMA 2019 National Sparring Championships were hosted in Watford Stadium, unsurprisingly we were well supported, we had our largest number of competitors and our biggest medal haul to date. In the Teams' League table SSK came 5th overall but more importantly came SECOND in the in San'Da & Qingda competition.

The competitive team pictured above included: Carlos, Jonathan, Monika, Nic, David (coach), Soheila, Artur, Adam, Pete (coach).  The support team included Maani and Gabby judging; Kevin, Jane, Veronique and Patryk providing backroom support.  

Ladies First & Second

This year we had two ladies fighting under the SSK banner. In the Qingda (semi-contact) Championship; Monika entered her very first martial arts competition, achieving Bronze in a well fought group.  Whilst in San'Da (full-contact); seasoned Champion Soheila entering her first British Championship came first winning Gold in a Division full of experience.   Soheila, recently arrived in the UK from Iran where she competed at National Level and has numerous titles to her name.  So it came as no surprise that Soheila won the Ladies Championship despite being the lightest entrant.

If you wish to see more of the Iranian Women search on YouTube 'Iran's Wushu female fighters' to see the standard of these fighting women.

Artur fighting his way to bronze.

Artur, still only sixteen, has now competed in five Qingda and San'Da competitions with SSK. He has successfully picked up medals at increasingly tougher tournaments, gaining valuable experience whilst getting better every time. He is an inspiration for any hungry teenager wishing to become a fighting martial artist, Sadly now leaving England for Poland but we wish him well and hope to see him on the European fight circuit soon.  Whilst we are loosing Artur we are bringing on a new team of Junior and Youth fighters whol will be entering their first comps in October and November at Hatfield University.

Jonathan was 'Back' and this time for Silver!

Graduating from SSK competitions, Jonathan had his first taste of San'Da on the big stage in the 2018 British tournament;  a great experience but no medals.  This year, Jonathan (U65kg) was determined, focused, fit and ready for all comers. The U65kg and U70kg were merged to make a robust division with Jonathon one of the lightest in the group; this did not phase him in the slightest.  After battling through the preliminary rounds Jonathan made it to the final were he faced a former British Champion and experienced kick-boxer. Over the three rounds Jonathon lost the final on a split decision.  This was a very close match of two very talented fighters. 

A re-match maybe on the cards before the end of the year at a San'da Cup Fight Night; we will of course keep you posted! 

Silver Foxes or Silver VETS!

Qingda Veteran's Division - SSK entered two competitors: Adam (U65kg), 2017, 2018 Vet’s Silver medalist was looking to beat the defending champion – who unfortunately didn’t enter! Instead he came up against a new Vet and former San'Da fighter who pipped Adam to the Gold medal; at least its another Silver for the collection.
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Nic, a former San'Da National medalist now qualified for Veteran’s Qingda. He had a good run to the final where he took on the long standing defending champion to a split decision.  

Both Nic and Adam are SSK Black Belts, BCCMA certified coaches and judges and to date almost 20 SSK Black Belts are now BCCMA certified judges, referees and coaches. 

What Next?

22nd August: Soheila, our Iranian Champion will be guest instructing at the Thursday San'Da class at the Dan Tien Centre in Watford.  A great opportunity to train with an International Fighter.
 
29th September: Guest Coach Rob Simpson an International Shuai Jiao (Chinese Wrestling) Master and Judge plus his team return for our Revision workshop.  This time, traditional not sparring focus! - probing our forms for original Shuai Jiao hidden throwing techniques.  

6th October: SSK own San'da/Qingda and Taolu competition incorpating our Regional Grading.

2nd Nov: BCCMA Junior and Youth Qingda National Championships (5-17 years) Contact David for team details and training.

Other BCCMA events:
Last Saturday of every month the San'Da Squad Training with the National Coaches at the K2 Centre in Crawley.
15th September: Basic Biomechanics [Injury awareness]
10th November: Sports Psychology

All SSK Members are welcome to ALL of these events and more.  Don’t miss these opportunities to improve your Martial Art knowledge and skills!