Cameron Burkinshaw
Cameron receiving his Ten year trophy, December 2012
On the 20th December 2012, I reached ten years in Kung Fu training. To mark this occasion I received a special ten year’s training trophy at the club’s annual awards evening. I began training at the young age of four and a half and have continued until present. I am now fourteen coming up to my fifteenth birthday in February. Also on the night I was honoured to receive a further two awards. These were awarded to me for most Accomplished Student of the year and for Student of the Year.
Most Accomplished Trophy 2012
Student of the Year 2012
The most Accomplished of the Year award, I feel was given to me this year because I have won eleven different British titles in various styles of fighting such as K1, Amateur MMA, and Kickboxing as well as Open-hand forms and weapons. I knew that the award was only given out to the person who won the most titles that year. Knowing that my brother fell short of me and won nine I had a feeling that it would be awarded to me. When this was confirmed I was extremely happy. It meant that all my hard work in each of the competitions had been recognised. Also I was happy t because my brother won it in the previous year.
On the other hand the Student of the Year was a big surprise to me. The reason for this is that I know it is a hard award to win and is only given out when the student is really deserving of it. Bearing this in mind I am amazed and grateful for the award. The student of the year award is an honour because it is decided collectively by all the black sashes instructors. In my opinion I received the award because I have been training every day of the week teaching in the lower classes and sometimes helping the black sashes as well. It is an added honour to be recognised for this commitment by my fellow students.
I am currently training seven times a week for at least twenty hours. In the hours that I attend training I not only learn but teach as well. I cover all ages from beginners right up to the more experienced black belts.
In the future I am looking to open some of my own classes. This will enable me carry on and to expand my knowledge of martial arts. I want to help and teach those who are willing to learn, whether it be Kickboxing or Kung Fu.
Cameron performing the splits aged 5yrs, Exhall 2003
Junior British Championships 2005
BCCMA Junior British Champs 2006
Wudang Temple, China 2006 Shaolin Temple, Quanzhou, Fukien 2006
Terracotta Army, Xian China 2006
Chin Woo World Championships, 2006
Metta Centre, Penna San Giovanni, Italy 2007
Butterfly Knive seminar 2008
WUMA English Champs 2008
BCCMA British Championships 2009
Kickboxing training 2010
Receiving 1st Degree Black in Kickboxing 2010
BCCMA San Shou Championships 2010
Award for Most Accomplished 2010
WUMA British Champs 2011
BCCMA San Shou Champs 2011
Receiving 2nd Degree Black in Hark Fu Mun Kung Fu 2011
It has been a long ten years but well worth it. I have learned things that will help me all the way through life whether it is complicated things or more modern day things that I can always use. Training has helped me with my confidence, both in terms of knowing my own physical strength, but also in entering large national competitions in front of huge audiences and having to be the best that I can be. As a result of this I have earned respect from people at school and at training. Physically my flexibility, coordination and strength have also dramatically improved and will continue to do so with the continued training I carry out daily. As a result of this I find other sports easy to do where as if I did not train as hard I think I would find them a lot tougher.
In summary 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.
Written by Cameron Burkinshaw.