Wudang Wushu Institute welcomes Chinese Grandmaster

The SA Wudang Wushu Institute (SAWWI) in Poortview held a spectacular Kung Fu demonstration on 17 October to welcome Grandmaster You Xuande, a 14th generation Wudang Kung Fu Grandmaster who is currently visiting South Africa from China.

The ceremony was opened by the president of the SA Wushu Federation (SAWF), Shifu Ashley Branford, who spoke of the achievements of the Kung Fu school and its founder, Shifu Jurgens Lamprecht. There were different Kung Fu and Taiji empty hand and weaponry forms demonstrated by students of the SAWWI – including some of the school’s Protea athletes – who competed at the Kung Fu World Championships in China recently. Some of the forms showcased included spear form, broadsword, snake fist form, shaolin and taiji and many more.

There was a variety of impressive performances during the evening including Martin Venski’s chain whip, praying mantis and trisectional, which had the audience in complete awe; while Nerine Du Plessis’ snake spear demonstration was one of the highlights of the evening.

Joining the students of the SAWWI from Poortview were representatives of other Kung Fu schools, who are all members of the SAWF, such as the Blue Dragon Kung Fu Institute, SAWF Atteridge and Yeoville branches, Shaolin Legend Academy of Martial Arts, Martial Combat School, as well as members from the SAWWI’s other branches from New Zealand, Pretoria, Weltevreden Park, East London, and Port Elizabeth.

Shifu Jurgens Lamprecht, one of South Africa’s National Protea Taolu and Sanshou coaches and an international sanshou judge, organised the event and is the only Kung Fu Instructor in Africa to be endorsed by Grandmaster You Xuande.