I had only a limited interest in sport when I was young. I was also unaware of the martial arts as competitive sports, and had no idea that there are also real fighting arts. I had only one passion, namely motorcycling and overhauling old bikes. And that is exactly what was to change my life completely. It was a serious motorcycle accident at the age of 19 that brought me to strength training after my muscle regeneration exercises. I seriously thought that bodybuilding would give me the strength to defend myself more effectively, and that people would have more respect for me because of a certain physical bulk. As I tend to be very ambitious I was uncompromising in my efforts to continue developing physically, i.e. diet, regular training etc. This phase lasted until I was roughly 27 years old, and even beyond. At the same time I took up surfing and cycling with equally excessive zeal.

But then something happened to me, as it must do to almost all of us as we get older. I began to examine what I was doing, to look for the real motives behind many of my actions and hobbies etc. I began to understand that I had long reached my limits in all the sports I was engaged in, and that I neither could nor would break through these limits. More and more I was just going through the motions, and I noticed that I was only making half-hearted efforts to perform really well. Once I had ended my training as a master craftsman, taken a job and built a house of my own, I was assailed by a very strange feeling. The feeling of having no challenge in life. Of course having a profession, friends and family involved challenges, but I was looking for a hobby which had no limits, always presented new challenges and above all fascinated me. I love being passionate about something. At around the age of 32 I got to know Heiko through some friends. At first I just took him to be a slightly zany and humorous fellow, but when I asked him about his recreational interests I kicked off an avalanche. For the first time in my life I heard the words WingTsun. When he started telling me about WingTsun I noticed that his eyes really lit up – this was much more than just a hobby for him. During the next few days my thoughts kept returning to WT, and I realised I was simply too cowardly to take part in a training session.

But since I had been working on my own self-improvement for some time, and had become used to confronting my fears whenever I encountered them, I went to my first trial session. Armed only with the knowledge that WT has something to do with self-defence, I entered the training room, was introduced to my present Si-Hing and practiced something without really understanding what it was about. One thing was new, however: without knowing exactly what I was doing, I was completely fascinated. This was a fantastic feeling, not rational thought, and it laid the foundations for my study of WT.

My progress through the 12 student grades

I began my WingTsun training in February 1998

Basic level from February 1998 to approx. March 1999

Practical

The pre-fight stance and the associated wedge was the first thing I consciously learned. In the first four student grades I became acquainted with the 1st and 2nd forms, Lat-Sao and basic techniques such as chain-punches, advancing steps, turns and the centreline.

Theoretical

During this time I hardly read anything about WT. The practical training and the explanations of my Si-Hing were input enough for me. I did not want to know much about the WT environment. I don't know why, but that's how it was.

Subjective feelings

I knew I had found what I was always looking for. It was a strange situation for me. Whereas in my professional life I was the one who trained and led others, and had a certain amount of superior knowledge, I was suddenly the one who knew nothing.

Intermediate level from April 1999 to September 2000

Practical

I encountered the 1st section of Chi-Sao, which was real torture for me at first. After years of bodybuilding my muscles were so short that I found it impossible to get the angles reasonably right. So in addition to my WT training I did lots of gymnastics, and things definitely improved. We also continued to work on basic techniques such as advancing steps and punches, turns and punches and the 1st and 2nd forms. Then BlitzDefence suddenly came on the scene and everything changed. We all found it hard to refrain from simply storming ahead from the pre-fight position, but rather to take the psychology of ritual combat into account and wait for certain stages to occur. But the more we trained, the more we enjoyed it. At the end of this period my Si-Hing started to prepare me for the assistant instructor examination.

Theoretical

During this time I read the book "On Single Combat", thinking that I only needed to read it to gain a greater understanding. I certainly read it but I did not understand it at the time, though I only know that now. Preparation for the assistant instructor examination, including study of the new book "BlitzDefence – Attack is the best defence", the law relating to self-defence, the structure of the EWTO etc.

Subjective feelings

Slowly I began to understand a little about the structure of the SG programmes and how these were intended to ready me for actual combat. But I also had an inkling that I still had a long way to go before I could deal with a conflict situation involving a violent thug. I also realised how much I was affected by my own fear, even in simple free-fighting situations.

Advanced level from September 2000 to March 2002

Practical

Stick-defence, fighting several attackers and control & restraint. I enjoyed these programmes a great deal. The advantage was that I learned to move better and go in more uncompromisingly. All in all this greatly improved my performance in a one-to-one situation. My fear of being struck decreased markedly, and my confidence in what I had learned so far increased. However I also felt that defending against armed attackers is only a realistic proposition if the attacker is not skilled in using the chosen weapon. I shuddered at the thought of confronting an experienced knife-fighter, knowing that at my level of WT I would never withstand a knife attack without severe injuries. Naturally I also continued with the 1st and 2nd forms as well as the 1st section of Chi-Sao during this time. We also continued to practice all the basic techniques. In December 2000 I attended an assistant instructor seminar, then obtained my 10th student grade at the EWTO's 25th anniversary celebrations. What a fantastic occasion! In March 2002 I was successfully examined for my 12th SG by Grandmaster Kernspecht, and took part in a Trainer 1 seminar in December 2002.

Theoretical

I became more interested in the history of WT. I reread the book "On Single Combat" and ended up feeling that I had read a completely different book than the first time. I worked through the necessary chapters in preparation for the Trainer 1 examination and surfed the Web for information.

Subjective feeling

It was a great feeling to have worked my way through the 12 student grades, but I quickly realised that I needed to keep practicing what I had learned, and that this is where it all really begins. Despite my 12th SG there were many problems and mistakes in free-fighting, which frustrated me. I found myself asking whether I expected too much of myself, or whether I had understood a great deal wrongly or not at all. Nowadays I know that I must remain patient. Since February 2002 I have been working on my 1st TG programme and am making good progress. This is firstly due to my Si-Hing and secondly to my good fortune in finding a really good training partner, with whom I have now been training for 4 years. I would like to take the examination for the 1st TG in autumn 2003 and hope I will be technically up to the mark. In summer 2002 I also took part in an assistant instructor seminar held by Sabine Mackrodt and Emanuel Kellert, which was most interesting and informative. It has helped me a great deal with respect to teaching self-defence for women. Even though others disagree, I think that self-defence for women in the form of BlitzDefence is a good thing.

A few thoughts about WingTsun

WT as an analytical tool

I have never before been able to assess another person as quickly as during Chi- Sao training. In my experience you very quickly find out whether you are dealing with an inflated ego or whether somebody is capable of real cooperation. Naturally this is a subjective view. Of course I also have my faults, but that is why I know how hard it is to find a compatible Chi-Sao partner.

WT as stress-relief

My profession often gives me a fair amount of stress. After training for 1.5 hours afterwards I have often been amazed how relaxed and well-balanced I become.

WT has found me a new friend

I got to know my present training partner Mike Columbus through WT training. Over the last four years this has developed into a real friendship. Having him as a training partner has particularly helped me in Chi-Sao, and enabled us to work hard on the exercises our Si-Hing gives us.

WT as a guide

In my WT training, and now as an instructor, I am increasingly confronted with my own limitations and made aware of my weaknesses. Accordingly I am continuously forced to examine my way of holding classes or e.g. responding to questions by students which I cannot answer there and then. In looking for a trend in all these experiences I find that they are making me more balanced, and I no longer take myself so seriously.

WT as a philosophy

The saying "The more I know, the more I realise how little I know, and only the fool thinks he knows everything" is applicable throughout WT.

Critical comments

Naturally it is presumptuous to poke criticism at an association like the EWTO. But it is not directed at the association, only at some of the people who form part of it.

Positive impressions

There are transparent structures and everybody has a good idea of where he stands. There are hardly any primadonnas even among the very senior grades. That Grandmaster Kernspecht is at pains to maintain personal contact with students and has remained an approachable person. That even people who are really terrified of confrontations are slowly but surely prepared for these conflict situations. That even people with mental problems or physical disabilities can find an escape valve or solution with WT.

Negative impressions

There is no doubt that a product as good as WT is worth the money, however I have the impression that some Sifus overdo things with their pricing policy. There is no structural guideline for development to 1st TG level as in the student grades. This means asking a lot of questions because there is no literature to consult. I also have the impression that all Sifus do things differently.

Final remarks

Finally I wish to thank Heiko Kerlin for showing me the way to the WT school and of course my Si-Hing Andre Karkalis, who has taught me just about everything I know about WT and helped to ensure that my fascination with WT remains unbroken.