B.C.C.M.A  National Championships 2002

David Richardson, Robert Buckler, Sifu Paul Burkinshaw and Alan Hill

Bletchley Leisure Centre, Milton Kenyes was the venue for the 2002 B.C.C.M.A National Championships.   The event was attended by chinese martial arts clubs from across the country representing a wide vareity of kung fu and other disicplines including a small group form the Sil Lum Kune, Shaolin Chinese Boxing Association.  

We arrived to see that the large arena was set up magnificently with two large matted fighting areas and a further two areas set aside for weapons and form competitions.  The event opened in spectacular style with a lion dance, and following a few words of encouragement from Tony Swanson, chairman of the B.C.C.M.A. the days events began.

The first events kicked off at 10.30am with the ladies quigda sparring and the wushu forms categories.   The grandstand spectator area was almost full to capacity and judging by the cheers, the audience were very enthusiastic.  Having attended a B.C.C.M.A. event in this arena before, it was pleasing to see that these events are becoming more and more popular.

The ladies quinda sparring showed talent from a number of different age groups and weights.  With firm but fair judging eliminating any excessive contact, it was excellent to see such a wide variety of skill and technique.  Although some of the ladies bouts were quite heated exchanges, it was great to see the companionship between fighters as soon as time had been called.

Winners Of The Under 85kg Quingda Sparring Category

Sifu Paul Burkinshaw ( Gold )

The Wushu forms category was progressing well with some quite amazing athletic feats being performed, to the obvious delight of the onlooking spectators and other competitors.  Following the Wushu forms came the long weapons section.  My Instructor, Sifu Paul Burkinshaw, performed a Kwondo form which seemed to go down well with the spectators and judges alike, earning Paul a Bronze medal.

In the early afternoon the competition paused for lunch and was restarted with a demonstration by Master Chen Lee who performed a number of incredible forms, my personal favourite being his 'drunken' form.  As the day progressed the participating students from Sil Lum Kune began warming up for the Quigda sparring bouts that they would be participating in.  Other events continued thoughout the afternoon including the Southern Hand Forms which saw success by Sil Lum Kune members gaining Silver and Bronze positions in this event.

Robert Buckler Peforming Southern Hand Form

During the day, whilst Quigda was based on one of the matted areas,  the other matted area was used for a number of different styles of combat.  One of these styles was called 'Pushing Hands'. Although at Sil Lum Kune classes we practice a technique called 'sensitive hands' we have not as yet indulged in any 'Pushing Hands'.  This an important point for me, at these events you can see such a wide range of disciplines that quite often you will see something that you were previously unaware of which gives the opportunity to find out more about such elements.  'Pushing Hands' had this affect on me and is something I would like to try in class.

The small team of Sil Lum Kune entrants were all participating in the heavier weight categories of the Quigda bouts.  Lee Johnson performed well against a much taller oponent as did David Richardson who after drawing his first round, just lost out in progressing to the next round.  Sifu Paul Burkinshaw, as head of the Sil Lum Kune association showed his students how it was done by attaining a gold medal in the under 85kgs category.  I was pleased with my own results by managing to finish in joint Bronze position in the under 75kgs event.

Medal Winners Of The Southern Hand Forms

Robert Buckler (Bronze) And Sifu Paul Burkinshaw (Silver)

Overall the students from Sil Lum Kune Club enjoyed their day immensly, although it was a smaller squad than usual due to the holiday season.  The club was pleased with its tally of five medals.