Cameron and Callum Burkinshaw
10 Years Training Award
Callum, & Cameron with their proud father, Sifu Paul Burkinshaw,
I began my own martial arts career in the year 2000, studying under Sifu Paul Burkinshaw. When I first met Sifu Paul he was celebrating the birth of his 2nd son Callum and his eldest daughter Charlotte had just started to practice martial arts. By the year 2003 both Cameron and Callum Burkinshaw were studying Kung Fu.
I have watched Cameron and Callum take their first steps into the world of Kung Fu at young ages (Cameron 4, Callum 3) and since then I have witnessed them develop into National and World champions.
Great Wall of China 2006
In the Thousand Buddhs Hall, Shaolin Temple
The Forbidden City 2006
Wudang Temple, 2006
Lion Dance in Bedworth 2007
Metta Centre training camp, Italy 2007
WUMA British Championships 2008
BCCMA British Champs 2009
BCCMA British Champs 2010 Junior Exhibition of Shuai Jiao
BCCMA British Forms Champs 2012 with Master Iain Armstrong
Some people might expect that Cameron and Callum would have large egos following all of their success but nothing could be further from the truth. I have always found both Cameron and Callum to be laidback and quietly confident with their kung fu. Each of the boys teaches many students within the Sil Lum Kune organisation every day.
I have always been impressed by the boy’s ability to communicate well with the youngest members of our association right up to the eldest, always putting in extra effort to help any student who might be struggling with a particular technique or skill.
Recently at the annual association awards Cameron and Callum were both awarded their 10 years training trophy. This was a proud moment for both of the boys but also for all the students who have trained alongside them.
Both Cameron and Callum seem to have a natural talent for teaching others and I am sure that they will both continue to perform with credit for many years to come. Both of the boys have declared an interest in opening their own clubs in the future and I am sure this will only help the organisation go from strength to strength.
Cameron stated the following regarding his martial arts:
“Kung Fu and martial arts have been and still are a large part of my life. It has allowed me to develop both mentally and physically. To become a better person through allowing greater confidence and it has taught me patience through teaching others. I would like to continue and as I have said run my own clubs and enable my students to experience and grow as I have.”
Callum offered the following words:
“Entering these various competitions from an early age has really boosted my confidence and allowed me to have faith in my own abilities. The award that I was most pleased and honoured to receive was the ten year award trophy. This trophy helps me reflect upon ten years of Kung Fu and what I have learned and why I should respect this.”
Written by Rob Buckler