World Championships in Sicily 2000

During the 1999 and 2000 W.U.M.A competition seasons our clubs had achieved numerous results in the sparring and Chinese forms categories. Due to these achievements many members had qualified to represent England in the W.U.M.A World Championships, held in Sicily November 2000. Unfortunately only five members ended up going to Sicily due to one reason or another. The five squad members were Nathan Hill, Ryan Beasley, Aaron Marsh, Martin Scott and myself (Paul Burkinshaw).

We all travelled to Heathrow airport by minibus (kindly arranged by Steve Baker) and were soon on the plane with the rest of the W.U.M.A British squad. The first day was taken up by travelling, and then a several hour wait at Sicily airport for a coach to take us to our hotel. This proved to be the norm as far as Italian organisation had install for us. The only groups who seemed to fair better were of course W.U.M.A association members, who were stopping at a better hotel with the W.UM.A officials. Once we finally arrived at our hotel, it was a quick unpack and then straight down to the restaurant for dinner.

The first day of the competition was at one venue to start with for the opening ceremony. All the fighters and their supporters then left the stadium for another venue, while all the adult entrants for forms, kata, patterns, weapons etc stayed behind. I was the only member of the Sil Lum Kune squad to compete at the stadium, while the rest of the group went to support Nathan and Ryan in their events. After practising and waiting around for several hours, it was finally my turn to perform. I performed a Praying Mantis form called Chap Choy Kuen. I was slightly disappointed with my performance, and knew I had done it better in the past. This fact was also told to me later on by one of the judges, who had seen me perform and judged me before back in England. One of the Italian entrants in my category performed a Wu Shu form with lots of high jumps and aerial kicks. The Italian took 1st place, and I was delighted to still achieve 2nd place.

After all these categories had taken place, we had to wait an hour or two before a coach arrived to take us back to the hotel. Once back at the hotel it was straight into the restaurant to have something to eat before it closed. While at dinner the lads informed me that Nathan and Ryan had competed in their sparring categories. Both youngsters had fought through a couple of rounds before getting knocked out of their categories. They had both performed well, but were beaten by much more experienced fighters.

The next day Nathan and Ryan went to the stadium to compete in the Junior Chinese forms section, while Aaron, Martin and myself went to the sports hall for the adult sparring categories. I was honoured when asked to be a judge and referee for these events by the organisers.

Next squad member on was Martin who had entered both the under 80kgs light continuous, and full contact categories. Martin was fighting in one category on one mat, and then shortly after in the ring for the full contact. Martin used his head as usual and fought technically instead of rushing in like many fighters do in these sections. Martin fought his way through all the rounds gaining him places in both finals to be held on the following day.

Back at the hotel we were told that Nathan and Ryan had just missed out on gaining medals for the Chinese forms section. Nathan had performed Sahn Sin Hyut and was given 5th place, while Ryan performed Lin Wane Kune and was given 4th place. I was pleased with both lads achieving a placing at their first high level international competition.

In the light continuous final, Martin fought a very good Italian fighter. The Italian was good with his legs and liked to have room to work. I told Martin to close him down, and not give him any time to think, or give him the room to use his legs effectively. Martin moved in close using his hands mainly, which kept the Italian under pressure. Martin used this game plan all through the fight, which frustrated his opponent and gained Martin 1st place.

In the full contact final Martin was fighting against the current British champion. I told Martin that he would come steaming in, looking to throw big knockout punches. Martin moved around the ring using a good jab, and kept out of brawling like his opponent wanted to. This proved to be the right tactic and gained Martin his second World Championship of this event.

I was pleased for Martin, but disappointed that due to my car accident I was unable to fight at these World championships. I had fought in U.K championships in February, about 10 days before my car accident. I had beaten Martin’s opponent and had also beaten Martin in the final of this event, I wonder what if ?

  Written by Paul Burkinshaw

  Chief Instructor of Sil Lum Kune

& The Shaolin Fist Chinese Boxing Association