Photo: Ian Cochrane, Maurice Cenzato, Joshua Lowe & Shifu Ron Goninan
The New Year kicked off with a bang for students of the White Crane Boxing Kung Fu students succesfly testing for their coveted Black Sash Instructors level.
Longtime student Ian Cochrane and new comer Joshua Lowe were put through their paces over a period of several months culminating in a grading test at which they had to display their skill in techniques, White Crane forms, applications and Tuishou San Shou Continious Contact Sparring. The sparring was interesting as under Chinese San Shou rules throws, knees and push hands are permitted along with strikes, punches and kicks. Joshua was very quick with his kicks which were countered by Ian’s very quick hand strikes. Both students enjoyed their grading and learned a great deal.
Also tested was their level of stamina and their spirit (their focus and their ‘intent’) as they performed sometimes solo and sometimes in pairs with each student getting to work with each other.
Looking at each student in turn and one can something unique about all of them.
Ian Cochrane is a very dedicated and intelligent student and entered into discipleship under the watchful eye of his master, Ron Goninan. He is the senior of the two and is highly skilled in the area of technique, applications and understanding of energy. He assists in teaching at the local school.
Joshua Lowe is dedicated, turning up early for each practice session and is very quick in learning new skills and forms. He picks up new aspects with ease and has very good memory retention.
Other students that also graded for their 4th Ji Level Blue Sashes was Stacy Lowe, Nathan Tran and Les and Brenton Hayes.
Head Instructor Ron recently was the official Guest at the Kumiai Ryu National Championships and Grading held at Wallerawang and he along with Maurice Cenzato recently travelled to Port Macquarie to teach Kumiai Ryu Martial Arts System Instructors the arts of Tai chi and White Crane Kung Fu Methods.
The school features Government Accredited Martial Arts and San Shou (Chinese Fighting) Instructors and is also recognized internationally by the Chinese YongChun Yi Yun Wushu Society of China.
