Category: News

On December 18th 2008 Chin Woo NZ Life Member Sifu Melissa Chan held the traditional Bai See Ceremony to accept Mr David Chan as her first Indoor Disciple (Yup Sat Dai Gee).

The ceremony was held at the training premises of Sifu Melissa’s kung fu school in Wellington and was witnessed by many friends and family. Several senior students and instructors in the Wellington martial arts community were present to witness the Ceremony including: Sifu Peter Sue (Lam Tong Long), Sifu Peter Yu (Wing Tsun), Sifu Stan Lytras (Hung Gar & Shotokan Karate) and Mr John Duncan (Nan Shaolin Wu Zu Quan).

Sifu Melissa’s daughter Teresa Chan was MC for the Ceremony while her two sons Arron and Michael assisted in the preparation and delivery of the ceremonial tea offering. Chin Woo NZ Chairman Sifu Peter Yu gave an informative address to the audience on the significance of the Bai See Ceremony and following the conclusion of the formalities, refreshments were served.

In traditional Chinese martial arts, the Bai See Ceremony is a custom held when a Sifu accepts a new Todai (Disciple) into the kung fu family. It can be referred to in western terms as an ‘Adoption Ceremony’ as the Student is effectively being adopted into the Sifu’s kung fu family line. Once the Sifu/ Todai relationship is established it is considered to be as irreversible as that of natural family. Legitimate transmission of knowledge from Sifu to Todai is established to pass on the martial and ethical teachings to the next generation in the chain. There are many conditions between Sifu and Todai to be observed including the expectation that the Disciple will not accept teachings from another Sifu without the prior permission of the Sifu.

The traditional Bai See Ceremony is not often seen as the level of dedication, commitment and sacrifice required by both Sifu and Disciple often conflicts with the demands of modern day lifestyle and values. While not verifiable, it is highly likely that Sifu Melissa is the first female Sifu to hold a traditional open Bai See Ceremony in New Zealand.

About Sifu Melissa Chan

Sifu Melissa Chan began her training in the early 1960’s in Guangzhou City, South China. She studied Hung Gar and Hap Gar kung fu from her Sifu Mr Deng Gum To until the early 1980’s when she immigrated to New Zealand. She competed actively in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s in China and in 1980 won the gold medal for traditional southern fist kung fu at the All China Nationals. Since arriving in NZ she has trained on her own and exchanged ideas with long time friend Sifu Peter Sue. In 2003 she was invited by the Chin Woo Athletic Association of NZ Inc to commence classes teaching her line of traditional southern fist kung fu. She is the Chief Instructor of the New Zealand Ling Nan Wushu Association based in Wellington.

David Chan is one of Sifu Melissa’s four original students who started with her back in 2003. He currently holds the post of Secretary General of the Chin Woo Athletic Association of NZ and has been involved in martial arts since 1989.

For more information on Sifu Melissa Chan and the New Zealand Ling Nan Wushu Association please visit the Links section of this website.

All photos courtesy of Keane Chan (Keane Design).

After coming back from the competition it is imperative that I analyze the areas where I underachieved and the reasons, so that in due course I have clear and precise goals to which I can work towards for the next competition.

Looking at other teams from around the world allows us to better understand where we are compared with the rest of the world. In hindsight I believe that we are most lacking in the area of basic and fundamental wushu skills. We have too many “cou fen dian” or places where points can be deducted for simple errors which should not occur. In essence our basic stance work, flexibility, kicks, jumps, and sweeps etc. are just simply not good enough. In order to correct these I will need to pay more attention to these areas while training, as well as simply increasing the number of repetitions in my training. We will also need to increase our conditioning and strengthening exercises to build up the necessary muscles needed to execute the techniques with precision and accuracy.

Another major flaw that I identified was a noticeable lack of speed and flavor in my forms. In order to correct this I will be working on increased repetitions on “combinations” of the form instead of less “parts” of the form.

Last but not least is the fact that I felt extremely nervous upon doing my form while competing. I put this down to 1) a lack of competition and performance experience, 2) a lack of mental and physical preparation before walking onto the arena. Walking onto an arena without both mental and physical preparation is the equivalent of having wasted a full years training in preparation of the competition as you will not be able to give your 100% best when the time comes. When you are nervous it does not allow you to relax and open out the techniques As a result the techniques are shortened, stiff, and ugly. It also means that you will become fatigued quicker.

Self analysis is an important training process that can enable us to reach higher levels of competency. I have recently devised a training programme that will hopefully enable me to address my weaknesses and improve my performance in the next competition.

Sixteen hours after leaving Auckland, a tired group of competitors, coach and supporters arrived on the doorstep of our hotel in Ipoh attempting to cope with a 5 hour time difference and thoughts of the upcoming two day long competition.

This was to be a true test of the team given the very strong field in from China and of course the Malaysian team on their home turf.

The first thing that strikes you is the exceptionally high regard in which Coach Guo is held internationally and how lucky the team has been to train under him. Yes this has been said before but until you attend one of these events it is hard to appreciate just how much of a difference this makes.

Our first two days in Ipoh involved registration, training, more banquets that I like to admit thanks to the great Malaysian hospitality and of course the opening ceremony. I lost count of the number of people that took part in a mass demonstration of Tan Tui but it was great to see most competing nations represented alongside each other all working in unison. Very much a statement of the Chin Woo spirit.

As the first day of the competition drew closer, an edgy coach Guo spent time running through the start lists uncovering just how big a challenge the team was going to face over the coming days of competition.

A last week change in venue left all competitors with the challenge of no air conditioning and as the draw would have it Siu Yuat Wong became the first to test the conditions as the first competitor to take to the carpet. As anyone will tell you being first up is both nerve wracking and an almost impossible position to win from. Dispite these factors Siu Yuat came away with a very well deserved Silver medal for a powerful and flowing performance of Gun Shu.

With such a large number of athletes, the intense competitive spirit that exists between the Shanghai and Tianjin teams and of course the high standard of Malaysian entrants, our New Zealand team had the deck stacked against them in all events. This was most obvious in the large and very skilled fields for adult Jie Quan, Ba Gua Dao and the junior Gong Li Quan, with the latter running two competitors simultaneously to get through the field in a timely manner.

Over the two days of competition spectators were treated to some incredible displays of skill across all divisions, with all of the New Zealand team performing very well. Having a number of professional and semi professional athletes setting the standard in all groups puts into perspective the achievement of the NZ squad in remaining competitive while holding down a job or getting an education.

Competition was capped off by the teams event with the Tianjin professional B team most certainly a highlight, delivering a group Dao performance that held all captivated.

Very special thanks needs to go to coach Guo for having the patience and skill to guide the New Zealand team to another excellent performance. To our Patron and Team Manager Kenneth Liu for helping navigate the team through the organisational hurdles and providing some very sound advice and commentary to the athletes. To Peter Yu for his boundless energy and enthusiasm in making sure we all got there wrapped in the spirit of Chin Woo. In addition to all those who supported, transported and everything else in between, the team to Malaysia.

On just another bright sunny hot Wellington day a group of around 30 Wellington Chin Woo members met at Williams Park in Eastbourne to celebrate the festive season and enjoy a good old fashion BBQ.

Thanks to all who helped out on the day, especially Carl and Geoff for Cooking, Grant for transport and Geoff for his superb BBQ.

Chin Woo Wellington Christmas Picnic Barbecue

When: Saturday 6th December 2008 (bad weather reserve day is following Saturday 13th December 2008)

Open To: All Chin Woo New Zealand Members and their family.

Where: Williams Park, Days Bay, Eastbourne

Time: 11AM to 4PM

BYO: Meat or Salad, Chair, Picnic Blanket, Sunblock, togs etc

Provided by Chin Woo: Drinks, Bread, Tomato Sauce, Gas BBQ’s, Plates and Utensils.

Cost: Gold coin donation per person appreciated on the day.

RSVP: Miki Schmidt on M.Schmidt@higgins.co.nz or 027 249 6561.

Listen to Newstalk ZB (1035 AM) half hourly on the Saturday morning before 9:00 AM and on the hour every hour across the day. OR visit www.chinwoo.org.nz from 9:00am onwards on the Saturday for update.

*Map of How to Get to Williams Park, Days Bay, Eastbourne. Please click to enlarge.*

On Sunday 30th November 2008, Chin Woo Life members Sifu Peter Sue and Sifu Melissa Chan visited Te Hopai Resthome and Hospital in Wellington to introduce some of the residents to Tai Chi and Qi Gong for health.

Ms Masako Crawford, a trustee of Te Hopai Home welcomed the group on behalf of the residents.

Accompanied by Chin Woo NZ Secretary General David Chan and Teresa Chan who translated for Sifu Melissa Chan, the group spent an hour and half demonstrating and taking the residents through some of the basic movements to encourage good health and well being.

Sifu Melissa Chan performed the well known 24 movements tai chi form and then led some keen residents through a few of the segments such as the Opening form and the Cloud Hands form.

Sifu Peter Sue gave a demonstration of two northern Chinese Qi Gong Forms that are used to improved blood and oxygen circulation, enhance muscular movement and strengthen the tendons and ligaments in the body.

The afternoon went by fast and many residents participated in the exercises with the assistance of Sifu Sue and Chan. In closing, Ms Crawford thanked the group for giving their time to visit the residents.