5TH Annual Golden martial Arts Classic

[Ron Davenport]

I would like to take a minute and invite all of you to the 5Th Annual Golden Dragon Martial Arts classic on behalf of Sifu Scott Winoker ( kungfukc.com ). The event will be held on March 20Th in Overland Park KS. Master's seminars will be held on the 19TH & 20TH as well. This is one of the biggest chinese martial arts tournaments in the MidWest, There will be some of the greatest masters from the MidWest in attendance along with several adminastrative officials from some of the biggest Associations/Federations representing the chinese martial arts as well. I hope you guys will be able to attend this event, we have several people from our school attending as with many others from gongfu schools in our area. This would be a great way to meet the other gongfu schools and the masters of the MidWest, it's definitely a great time for competition and fellowship. If you need more info go to Sifu winokers web site at www.kungfukc.com and look under upcoming events, there you will find all the dividsions, rules, registration forms, etc. Oh yeah, Sigung Cabais, would you please send me info or any material regarding your tournament or tournaments that you affiliate with, we are looking to do more competition this year and want to atend as many events as we can. Thanks. Hope to see you guys next month in KS, it's really a great tournament.

 

R.Davenport ( Lao Shi )

[SiGung Vincent A. Cabais]

I think most of you know my feelings about these types of Tournaments.  We usually only support tournaments of people that we have met and like.  However, I would love the opportunity to meet Sifu Winoker and some of the other Sifus in the Midwest.  Espescially since we will be opening our Kansas City Chapter School (Actual Location) in the near future.

Since I have been in the Continental United States, our students have only supported Master Binky Furstenburg's "Ultimate Dragon Championships".  Mainly because he was the most pleasent Instructor that I had met in Springfield MO.

We wanted to support the "Mid-American American Martial Arts Championships" which is run by Sifu Butler in Columbia MO.  However, the timing was off (previously scheduled event) and we were not able to attend last year.  Maybe we will be able to attend his tournament this year.

We are not a "Competition School".  However, I have always felt that 'competition' is good for the "Spirit".  Competition is not why the "Martial Arts" were developed.... it is just one of the many things that coincide with the Arts.  As long as you do not take it seriously... you will learn something.  That is why we have our own "Annual In-School Tournament".  This competetion is not for anyone outside of our school.  It is just for us.

What do you guys think?  Should we attend this event?  It is not on our "Calander of Events" but it could be.  I will leave it up to you students.  It is more for you than it is for me.  The experience would be good for you.

[Matthew Hemker]

I know that I as well as many other find tournaments to be as Sifu said really good for learning something about your own skill level (as well as areas for improvement).  I would have to say that given the oppertunity I would enjoy going to the tournament.  In addition it sounds like it could prove very interesting to see these other schools that are out there and see what we have in common.  I am definitely for going.

[Jason Kifner]

Personally, I would love to attend this event.  Competing is fun, but the chance to meet and interact with other schools seems to me to be the biggest advantage of going to this tournament.  I would especially love the chance to meet and possibly build relationships with Sifu Judge's students.  Besides, I've never been to KC and would love to see it.  I vote yes.

Jason

[Ron Davenport]

Sigung Cabais, I fully understand your point of view on tournaments. We are not a competition school either but its nice to get out on the floor and put our skills to the the test. Win, lose it doesn't matter just getting out there really boots the spirit. I understand that many tournaments are very political, this alone is very discouraging and turns alot of competitors off but I view those tourny's as a demonstration instead of a competition. I was just hoping that the gongfu schools in St.Louis would start to make apperances at the more popular MidWest tourny's, We need to get back on the map and let others know we're here.  LOL, I guess I'm a little competitive by nature but as with thousands of others, I train hard, seven days a week. It's nice to get out there and fellowship with my gongfu brothers/sisters along with some freiendly competition.

If you will, could you send me the info on the ultimate dragon or a website that I can get the info from.

I will pick a time and date, I'm not sure yet but it will probably be the beginning of next week. Sifu Cai works days and part time evenings, let me see what I can work out with him.

 

R. Davenport ( Lao Shi )

[Sean Asher]

Sounds good I always like watching different martial arts.  I may not be too great at them =P  but it's always nice to see something different and off the wall.

 

[SiGung Vincent A. Cabais]

I am still waiting for more of our Students to make a positive opinion about this event before I decide to close the school(s) that day.  Three (3) students are not enough to justify it.

[Harvey Meeker]

I'm all for it, except I'm in Connecticut, so it makes no difference to me.

I have been thinking a lot about this tournament.  I think it would be appropriateto ask about the sparring rules.  Looking at the website for the host school, their San Da sparring is closest to what we Lohan use.  However, in the list of sparring events San Da is not mentioned for the tournament.  If we compete in point or continuous sparring are throws, sweeps, and head strikes allowed?  Are we expected to use protective gear?

I think it would be a good experience for everyone.  I find tournaments allow us to grow in our use of martial arts and to meet others with similar interests.  I just want to be sure that our systems competing styles won't clash too much.  If not, than I would enjoy experiencing a tournament with another school.

[Ron Davenport]

Mike,

      I understand your reasoning behind the different types of sparring, I myself do not like the point sparring events. It is my understanding that the sparring will be continuous with head shots included, there will be certain sweeps and controled take downs as well, this is per Sifu Winokur. The reason why their not doing sport san shou at this event is that the insurance will not cover the full contact aspect. He has told that next year he will be having san shou as one of the main sparring events.

I can tell you that even though this event will be hosting continuous sparring, its not a game of tag. These fighters hit hard and their speed is awsome. I myself train traditional or combat san da and will have to make a few changes for this event but nevertheless, if they want to bang than we'll bang, LOL.

I know that the knee's and the groin are not legal targets but everything else is game. Anyway, that cool. I respect your concerns on this event. train hard and be well.

 

R. Davenport.

Thank you for your fast reply.  The sparring sounds very close to what we might encounter in our own tournaments.  Not that we are looking to hit hard enough to hurt somebody, but I wanted to be sure our techniques wouldn't be against your rules.

The tournament sounds like it will be a great time.  Hopefully some more students from the Lohan school are interested in the experience.

Hopefully we will have a chance to meet soon.

Mike

[Ron Davenport]

Hey Mike, Thats cool. Like I Said before. I completely understand your views on sparring. Hopefully all competitors will show a degree of control but this is something I learned that one can't rely on.LOL. This is why I opted to train san da and compete in san shou, at least you know your going in to bang, there's no misunderstanding how to gain points,LOL. Sifu winokur will not allow any vicious attcks I can assure you, its a tourny that is for the purpose of competition and fellowship. Take care and train hard.

 

R.Davenport

[SiGung Vincent A. Cabais]

The sparring sounds very close to what we might encounter in our own tournaments.

"San Da" is said to be the original word used for Kung Fu style of fighting. It is still used in China today and basically refers to full contact Chinese (Shaolin) Boxing.  Literally translated, "San" means scattered or free and "Da" means "to hit."  Therefore, "San Da" basically translates to English as "free fighting". 

"San Da" is a close translation to how we do things.  However, our specific style of sparring is more appropriately labeled "Lun Da" (Complete Fight).  I like to call our method "Multi-Gate Sparring" which is very difficult to translate into Chinese (Pinyin).

[SiGung Vincent A. Cabais]

It looks like we are going to this "Tournament".  I have personally spoken with Sihing Andy Walls (Springfield MO Chapter "Head Instructor") and he has conveid to me a great deal of interest about this tournament by most of the students in Springfield, MO.  At least half of the students there have shown a desire to attend this tournament.

With that in mind... I have decided to support the Springfield MO Chapter's decision to attend.  I will be there in Kansas City MO for this tournament.  I will not be closing the school(s) since there are "Children's Classes" to teach.

It would be nice if other students from the other Chaper Schools would attend also.  We really do not get a chance to associate with each other very often.  This would be just another way to accomplish that need.  I would suggest that you "pre-register"!  However, the "at the door" registration fees are very reasonable.  For just one event at the "World Games" is $80.00 at the door.  That price is typical for "National Tournaments" regardless of how expensive it may seem.  See you there!!

[Matthew D. Shouse]

Who in Rolla is interested in the tournament--if not to compete, then at least to watch?