Kung-Fu Community
We have persevered through adversities and experienced the joy that comes from hard work.
Sigung’s Corner
by Sigung David Moylan
While writing, it’s November and our monthly theme is Community, which was specifically chosen as this is the month that we celebrate the Academy’s anniversary. Our Kung Fu community, over our 35 years, has persevered through adversities and experienced the joy that comes from hard work.
This Fall was a jubilant return to our traditions! The end of October saw our Academy once again full of kids as we hosted our big Halloween party. Two weekends later, we celebrated our 35th anniversary with seminars and Shiai In-House Tournament. Shifu Yuan Jing and his brother, Shifu Wang Bo, shared their knowledge from growing up in the Shaolin Temple, as we were introduced to the Monkey and Drunken Styles of Kung Fu in our Shaolin Kung-Fu Seminar. The next day, we had over 100 competitors, volunteers, lion dancers and Black Sash judges take part in our first Shiai since 2019. At this event, Sifus Sammy and Anne were presented their 2nd and 3rd degree Black Sashes, respectively.
Two weeks later, on November 20th, we conducted our first Advanced (Blue and Brown) Adult Grading since November 2020. The candidates attended many classes working very hard over the months/years leading up to this day and this was certainly evident throughout the almost six hours they were tested on strength, forms, technique, self-defence, sparring and breaking. In the end, the Academy gained four new Brown Sashes: Sihings Jackson, Jordan and Richard and one new Sije (finally), Veronica. Furthermore, after 13 years of training and 16 gradings, Erich MacLean became a Sifu. His preparation and determined attitude were on display the whole day, as he battled through the challenges presented and put in a truly inspiring performance! Sifu Josh finished off the sparring portion of his 2020 grading, completing the probationary period to achieve 1st degree Black Sash. Congratulations to everyone!
With this joyous return to our traditions, we look ahead to 2023—the Year of the Rabbit. Our Lion Dance Team is already scheduled for several performances around Lunar New Year. Children and Adult Awards Parties will return. Our instructors are planning for the return of our Competition Team season (Feb – May) and Demonstration Team try-outs are already starting this December in anticipation of Spring performances.
Sibok Lloyd quietly announced his intention to retire from weekly teaching. He’s been a part of the Academy for nearly 34 years and has been instructing consistently every week, even before earning his Black Sash in 1995! (He put in hundreds of hours assisting Sigung Bob prior to Black Sash). Truly one of the most legendary and influential members of the Academy, his regular presence will be missed. Thankfully, in his own words, he’s not heading for the “rocking chair” just yet—he will continue to be involved with Black Sash classes, gradings, and as Editor of this newsletter. I very much have appreciated his mentorship over the years and am grateful we will continue to have him in this capacity. All the best with this next phase of the journey, Sibok!
