I have a martial arts background in Tae Kwon Do (early 90s) and Freestyle Karate (mid 90s). I began my studies in Wing Chun Kung Fu in 2004 after receiving an educational sparring session from a senior class member. Wing Chun is a bare knuckle system that fights at a range that many other traditional martial arts are not comfortable with. Whilst I believe that no traditional martial art has all the answers, Wing Chun Kung Fu as taught by Sifu Allan Graham is a no nonsense system that is devastatingly effective for close range stand up fighting.

Wing Chun is one of the few martial arts that I am aware of that I will be able to continue to use as I get older, weaker and less flexible. Whilst strength and flexibility will always be an advantage in a combative situation, Wing Chun is reliant on neither. Instead structure, simplicity and direct economy of movement and energy play vital roles. Students are taught to disrupt the balance of an opponent through the redirection of force and the use of chi.

Wing Chun Kung Fu as taught by Sifu Alan Graham is an evolving style that benefits from a diverse range of experience both from Sifu Alan as well as his students. This is further enhanced by the Academy's annual training in Hong Kong. I believe that I am extremely fortunate to be able to train at the Canberra Wing Chun Academy and hope to continue to do so for many years to come.