ON SATURDAY 24^TH AUGUST 2002

& SUNDAY 25^TH AUGUST 2002

Its April, Sunday and Dan Docherty has had his suit cleaned and pressed ready for a fascinating day of Tai Ji, ( if you have a trained eye ), performed by a range of competitors of all ages and varied ability.

The organisation of this competition has improved every year and the layout of the competition areas was very efficient, as was the posting of the various events and competitors names next to their performance areas. There were plenty of seats for spectators from which more than one event could be seen.

The majority of competitors performed Wudang style and seem to have a very different approach to the principles of Tai Ji as practised by students of the Wu Kung Federation. Some spectators had not seen Yang style before and some were surprised by it’s very existence.

Six Wu Kung students travelled to Oxford to pit their skills against all comers. Three came all the way from Wales, along with their supporters who gave them much encouragement. Martin Crawford won a Gold medal in his category of Push Hands, His brother Aiden won a Silver Medal for his performance of the Long Weapon form. Asif Mohgal was unsuccessful but will surely return to fight another day.

Three students from the Bletchley club performed various routines. Ed Gomersall was unsuccessful in the 42 combined hand form, being beaten by Wudang routines and Andrew Austin. However he reversed that result in the Internal sword form by beating Andrew into

second place with a performance of the Wudang sword routine which he repeated in the Open category and won another Gold medal. Tom Coleman looked resplendent in his new black

competition suit in which he performed his Xing I routine. He won a Bronze medal for that. Having entered the push hands as well he was kept busy rushing between competition areas. He won another Bronze medal in Push Hands after his opponent declined to fight him for the honour. We never thought Tom looked that frightening.

Finally, Lesley Good decided that the best way to celebrate her ******th birthday would be to enter a Tai Ji competition. So she entered the Veterans Open Hand form. A very creditable performance of the combined 32 routine won her the Gold medal. She also outshone the other competitors in her appearance and spirit, which was there for all to see. So Happy Birthday Lesley and we look forward to you defending your championship next year.

So a very successful day for the students of the Wu Kung Federation winning a total of 7 medals (4 Gold, 1 Silver & 2 Bronze). Well done to you all, it takes a lot of courage to stand up and perform at competitions but hopefully it helps your confidence in the abilities that you have.

Please note that some of our contact details have changed :

Address : Wu Kung UK. C/o Morningside Health Workshop

135 Buckingham Rd, Bletchley, Bucks MK3 5JD

Tel : 01908 366957

Tel/Fax : 01908 646694

Mobile : 07885 646365

Email : warrpeterwarr@aol.com

Website : www.peterwarr.co.uk

www.wukunguk.co.uk

A tremendous amount of work is being done for Wushu to become an Olympic Sport in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Peter will be flying out to Japan in July for the International Wushu Federation Technical Committee meeting where the Technical Committee will be preparing the documentation for the final decision in October 2002.

The Wu Kung's Coach's and Senior Coach's are in the process of working towards their NVQ's in Chinese Martial Arts, and we wish them every success in this venture as there is quite a lot of work involved.

Any Students who wish to progress within the Taijiquan field can do so by joining the Teacher Training Programme. This will give them a much deeper understanding of the forms, as well as the sword forms, and the various aspects of training and teaching.

If you are interested then please contact either Peter or Lavinia for the Application form.

The Assistant Coach course will begin in January 2003.

The membership price increase which came in to effect from the 15^th March 2002, was due to the rise in the Member to Member Insurance. Unfortunately since the 11^th Sept 2001, all insurances have been increased quite substantially.

It has come to some people's notice that Lavinia has been busy teaching!!!!!!!!!!!

There has been a increase in interest in her family system of Taijiquan, with students travelling from as far a field as France to come to her seminars.

Name : ……………………………………………………………………………………..

Address : ………………………………………………………………………..…………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Contact : Tel : ……………………………… Email : …………………………………..…….

I will be attending Prof Li Seminar for :- 1 day [ ] Sat [ ] Sun [ ] Both days [ ]

Deposit is required for :- WKF Mem ( 1 day £25 ) Non Mem ( 1 day £35 )

Please find enclosed my deposit for:- £ Cheque No. ………………….

Deposits required by 1^st August 2002 with Final payment due 17^th August 2002

Please return form and cheque ( payable to ) to : Peter Warr.