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Charles Wilson, a Kung Fu instructor from Illinois, issued a response to the Wombat's World #1 column that we ran on April 24th. The email has been posted and has not been edited except to remove the zip code from the address. To read his response click on
Charles Wilson, a Kung Fu instructor from Illinois, issued a response to the Wombat’s World #1 column that we ran on April 24th. The email has been posted and has not been edited except to remove the zip code from the address. To read his response click on Hello Sushiboy, My name is charles wilson. I happen to be a kung fu stylist (Shaolin Chuan Fa). I just stopped by mmaringreport.com to see if i could get some info on midwest MMA when I came across the article by Jeff Meszaros. I you can probably imagine, I was a little taken aback by his comments and obvious disdain for kung fu and perhaps every chinese martial art. I would like the opportunity to respond to his article if i may. Following is a short reply.
I, and other chinese martial artist would be forever greatful if you would somehow find it in your heart to have this article on your website. Than you in advance for your consideration. charles wilson
instructor - super kicks kung fu To read Jeff Meszaros’s Wombat’s World #1 Click HERE... Dear Jeff, I was visiting MMARingReport.com to as i often to do in an effort to get information on the MMA scene here in the Midwest. MMARingReport.com is one of the few sites that carries such info on a regular basis. Well, i guess you can imagine my surprise when i saw, and then read your article. I am a little confused about the intent of your article. On the surface, it seemed like you just happened to run into a guy whose zeal about his style rubbed you the wrong way. I can understand that. As a martial artist, i know how we sometimes talk about our passion too much or at the wrong time. New martial artist, whatever style the are involved in, are very passionate about their new art and devoted to their instructor. Indeed, that is what should happen. The martial artist is entrusting his body, mind and spirit to this instructor in the hopes of becoming a good martial artist and a better person. Unfortunately though, i couldn’t help but get the feeling that you are not a true fan or able to appreciate kung fu. From your article, it sounded like you have had some type of bad experience with a kung fu instructor or school in the past. Your knowledge of kung fu terms, tecniques and procedures makes me think you are well versed in some type of Kung Fu. If it is the case that you had a bad experience, I apologize on behalf of kung fu and the chinese martial arts community. I apologize for that as well. As a kung fu stylist, i am partial to my system and style and i feel it has many advantages over other styles and disciplines. As an instructor, i try to teach my students to the best of my ability. It is my sincerest intent to train, teach and care for each student as though they are family members.
If an instructor or school made you feel uncomfortable, that is simply unacceptable. With all that being said, the only other explanation is that you just don’t like kung fu or its practitioners. I guess that is fine as well. To each his own. But I feel like i would be doing the Chinese Martial Arts community a disservice if i didn’t take this opportunity to make clear a few points. First, don’t let the incessent chatter of a newbie or overzealous student throw you for a loop. Most Chinese martial arts are legitimate fighting arts. shaolin kung fu is one of the oldest codified systems of fighting. The effectiveness and viablity of techniques such as ’Monkey steals the peach’ and Crane stance have been proven over centuries. Second, just because a few kung fu stylist didn’t fare well in the early days of the NHB, MMA and the UFC, doesn’t mean kung fu is not to be taken seriously. Chinese martial arts were developed out of necessity to keep it practitioners and their charges safe and alive. Most of the techniques of kung fu are deadly in nature. it is very diffiicult to take 95% of your techniqes and ’dummy’ it down to a game or combat sport. Finally, I am very sorry that individual in the movie theatre did not take you up on your offer. Perhaps his skill level was not up to par. Perhaps, deep down, he did not believe his instructor was sport, combat or street effective. I, on the other hand, have none of those problems. Therefore, i you have an OPEN invitation to visit my school anytime you like. My students and i would be more than willing to demonstrate the versatility and effectiveness of Shaolin Kung Fu to you. We compete and engage in point fighting, tae kwon do style fighting, muay tai, wing chun, western boxing, grappling (we like to call it chinese dog boxing), NHB, MMA and good old fashioned last man standing wins. Whavever your flavor, i’m sure we can accomodate you. And don’t worry, since we don’t train to fight in weight classes, anyone of the senior students would provide a suitable partner or adversary. A final note. If you do decide to take me up on my offer, I sincerely hope you game plan involves more than "tackle them to the ground and choke them ’til they pass out and wet their pants." or "choke you senseless". Like i said before, we do it all. If you put your your head down on me in a straight grappling, you just might find your GI being used as a necktie. If if you planned to do that in MMA or NHB, I shudder to think what could happen. You just might have the opportunity to see first hand how the "Monkey steals the peach." If i am making a mountain out of a molehill, I sincerely apologize. I am not one to go around trying to be a bully or worse yet, that annoying guy in the movie theater talking about his kung fu. If, however, my observations ring true, then the invitation stands. I believe in my chinese martial art and stand by it. You are more than welcome to check my MMA stats on line.
the website/database with the word "fighter" in it has the most up to date info although they are still missing 5 of my wins. And as you will read, i love a good arm bar, rear naked choke or GNP just like the next guy.
Although, i couldn’t quite find your stats. i guess its just because you are modest and don’t like to brag or show off. After all, no one wants to be ’annoying’ kung fu guy. Warmest Regards Sifu Charles Wilson
Super Kicks Kung Fu To read Jeff Meszaros’s Wombat’s World #1 Click HERE...
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