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U.K  National Championships 2001       
 
A trip to Milton Keynes for the British Council for Chinese Martial Arts Adult U.K National Championships on the 4th November 2001 certainly went without disappointment for the Sil Lum Kune Kung Fu squad.

        The B.C.C.M.A is recognised by the sports council as the governing body for Chinese martial arts within Great Britain. The championships were a successful and entertaining event enjoyed by spectators, competitors and officials alike. The day started with a performance of the traditional Lion Dance, followed by several Kung Fu demonstrations, before the competitors and officials took to the mat.

Several members of the Sil Lum Kune squad were asked to help officiate throughout the day. These included Allen Hill, Mark Pritchards and myself ( David Richardson ) as judges, and Sifu Paul Burkinshaw ( Chief instructor of Sil Lum Kune ) as a referee on the Qingda mat. The sparring, called Qingda is a semi-contact version of the traditional Chinese San Shou fighting. This type of sparring not only includes the usual hand and foot techniques of normal styles, but also includes sweeps, throws, take-downs, and forcing the opposition off the mat to score as well.

First on the mat was Taryn Elwell who achieved a silver medal in the Female under 60kgs category, after a come back to sparring from a long term injury. The next squad member on was Kevin Redgrave who achieved a bronze medal in the Male under 65kgs section. The following category saw squad members William Burbury and myself ( David Richardson  ) battle it out in the under 70kgs section with William taking the silver medal, and I took the bronze.


bccma ukchamps

Sil Lum Kune Squad - Fighters and Officials


The next squad members to fight were Mark Pritchards and Sifu Paul Burkinshaw in the under 85kgs section, with Mark taking the bronze medal. This was Sifu Paul Burkinshaw’s first Qingda competition since his near fatal car accident last year. He went into the final facing Neil Adaway who he had beaten in the 1999 championships. It was a close contest, and after a split decision by the judges Neil was awarded gold, and Paul silver. Neil who is also a B.C.C.M.A official and Qingda referee and friend to Paul was pleased to even the score after 1999.

        Steven Webb was the last squad member in the Qingda section fighting in the over 100kgs category. Steve was the champion in the junior championships for the last three years, and this was his first adult championships. The category contained the Goliaths of the competition, Steve being the youngest member. Like a true champion Steve went on to take the gold in this category.

Last Person to fight was Aaron Marsh who had opted to fight in the under 85kgs full-contact San Shou category. Aaron went into the final after an excellent display of his skill and experience in pervious fights. Unfortunately Aaron had to withdraw half way through the final with a bad leg injury, and so was awarded the silver medal.

Written by David Richardson.