Many years of preparation were required before this long-held dream was finally realised. In collaboration with the famous Bulgarian State University in Plovdiv, one of Europe’s largest sports academies, Grandmaster Kernspecht has been able to create a fitting educational framework for the ingenious WingTsun system of his teacher Great Grandmaster Leung Ting, namely an academic course of study.

The course of study was conceived with particular emphasis on alignment with internationally accepted and comparable courses. This led to a three-part division of the course structure: basic subjects in sports education, the theoretical and practical contents of the aspects taught within the EWTO and the principles of other sporting disciplines.

Conceived as a correspondence course, this course envisages several days per term of personal attendance at Langenzell Castle and the University of Plovdiv in Bulgaria. The following subjects are scheduled for the first semester:

WingTsun, WingTsun ChiKung, WT biomechanics, movement anatomy, FrequenChi, an introduction to natural health, the history of WingTsun, structure of classes, introduction to Karate, introduction in Feldenkrais, practical waterskiing, waterski teaching methodology, general anatomy and ageing morphology, general psychology, principles of philosophy, history of physical culture, English for the martial arts.

This is a course of study which even bears comparison with courses of a similar nature which have been well established for many years. In view of this concentrated curriculum, not a few of the new students were almost visibly apprehensive when they turned up for the first lecture.

Any second thoughts were immediately banished as soon as they entered the ”lecture room”, however. Almost all of these “freshmen“ had already trained here, at the headquarters of WT in Europe, in the past. For many of them the principal training room at Langenzell Castle has almost become a second home over the years, and most of the students already knew each other at least by sight or from training together.

Any remaining feelings of awkwardness were finally dissolved when Grandmaster Kernspecht officially opened the academic proceedings with his lecture on the history of WingTsun. In his usual informal and humorous style, the head of the EWTO presented an introduction to the origins of WT, a subject not merely of interest for Chinese martial artists. However, anybody who thought that this gave him comprehensive historical knowledge about WT was soon disabused of this notion, for Grandmaster Kernspecht immediately made it clear that he had set the standard much higher for this course than for his theoretical Trainer seminars. Accordingly he not only provided a comprehensive insight into the latest findings from his very intensive historical research work, but also indicated the unprecedented level of knowledge about WingTsun that can be gained by a scientific approach within a formal course of study.

This prospect was reinforced by the subsequent lectures: sports scientist Christian Trabach lectured on the subject of “WingTsun Training Theory“, Sifu Roland Liebscher-Bracht gave an introduction to “Movement Anatomy“ and ”WT Biomechanics“ and Dr. Petra Bracht surveyed the basic principles of ”Natural Health”. Dai-Sifu Oliver König presented the key principles of successful marketing and psychologist Uwe Füllgrabe covered the topic of “The psychology of self-preservation. Survival is not a matter of chance“. In addition Grandmaster worked intensively on the English-language skills of the new students, with a special emphasis on the martial arts.

This trial by fire for what is probably the most significant and seminal innovation of the last twenty years in the field of WingTsun, and possibly even in the entire martial arts world, continued from morning to evening for a whole week.

Afterwards it was quite clear that this unique course of study in “Sports education specialising in WingTsun“ had passed its first test with flying colours. Both in terms of organisation and content the introductory event was a complete success.
WT-Welt online asked some of the pioneers taking part for their impressions of this new, academic WingTsun:

Dai-Sifu Giuseppe Schembri, 6th PG WT:

“It is good to see so many taking part and so highly motivated. My personal motivation is the remarkable bond between the teachers and students, as well as the prospect of working together on something over a longer period. I think this course will open up many new aspects for WingTsun which have never been properly examined before. I am very excited that something completely new has been made possible here. That was only possible because everybody gave of their best. I would like to thank all those who hekped to make this course of study a reality.“

Sifu Siegfried Altmayr, 5th PG WT:

“The lectures were without exception very informative, while the application of the topics to WingTsun was very positive and gave many new impulses. What interests me most are the biomechanical and physical relationships between the movements in WT.“

Sifu Bernd Wagner, 5th PG WT:

“I was very positively struck by the friendly but certainly professional way in which the individual topics were taught. I decided to take part in this course because I want to expand my general level of knowledge with a view to developing a well-rounded lifestyle.“

Roy Schirdewahn, 4th TG WT:

“The curriculum is very interesting and extensive. The atmosphere within the group is very pleasant and informal. With this comprehensive further education I want to develop personally and also achieve competitive advantages as an instructor. It is quite clear that an unbelievable effort was put in before the course began, in order to ensure that the organisation went as smoothly as it did. My expectations were met in full. Many thanks to all those involved!“

Claus Kowalik, 3rd TG WT:

“The lecturers are very well prepared, and a common theme is recognisable throughout the proceedings. I want to further my education and pass my new knowledge on to my students and instructors to obtain new input and motivation. I would like this course of study to give me further knowledge which I cannot obtain in normal WT classes and seminars, or for which I have no time. I am pleasantly surprised how well the organisational arrangements worked right from the start.

Gerolf Blittersdorf, 3rd TG WT:

“The atmosphere during the entire event was very positive, and all the participants are extremely interested. I have always made an effort to gain the deepest possible insight into WingTsun, and this course is a unique opportunity to do this. The entire event has been a very good introduction to the course, very varied and practice-related.“

Torsten Rollberg, 3rd TG WT:

“A super relationship between the students and lecturers! An informal, very friendly and stress-free atmosphere! The course provides a deep insight into WT and WT-ChiKung. I would like to be part of this “scientific study“ of WingTsun right from the start, and create an advantage through knowledge. Certification of this knowledge by a university degree will enhance its social standing.“

Cosimo My, 3rd TG WT:

“I expect this course to increase my WT-related knowledge several times over. I found these first lectures to be very clearly structured and therefore easy to understand. The entire organisation was smooth and therefore stress-free.“

Thomas Götz, 2nd TG WT:

“What has impressed me most is the pleasant personal atmosphere and the interesting topics covered. I am in general practice as a doctor, and I want this course to take me out of my routine while giving me new impulses. I have long been interested in the content on offer. The organisation has been exemplary so far, though for me personally it would be better if the programme was not spread over one whole week, but for example over two weekends.“

Siegfried Wolf, 2nd TG WT, 6th Dan Shotokan Karate:

“Simply superb! The topics for the individual lectures were very well coordinated. The lecturers are very well prepared and always practically oriented. I am taking part in this course of study because I want to continue learning and open up new areas of activity and knowledge.“

Andreas Goldhahn, 2nd TG WT:

“There is great enthusiasm and the lecturers are able to motivate. Above all, I would like to gain new knowledge about WT for myself and my students, as well furthering my knowledge of training methods for young people with behavioural problems. This course is a personal challenge for me, as I am already 54 years old and my son is also taking part. The whole timetable is very well organised, and the lectures are logically and comprehensibly structured, though I would like to see more worksheets.“

Wolfgang Seemann, 2nd TG WT:

“With this course in sports education I would like to improve the standard of instruction in my WT schools and further my overall personal development. The lectures are very well conceived and logically consistent. The entire event has been really well organised, though I would like more information about the further course activities in Bulgaria.“

Thomas Goldhahn, 1st TG WT:

“The enthusiasm of the lecturers is particularly noticeable. There is a real pioneering spirit. I am taking part in this course because I am very interested in the various topics and the interaction between the different disciplines. Apart from this, I can form a great learning group with my father. The lecturers have structured their material very clearly, though it would be nice to have more handouts covering the lectures and I would like to know more about the examination content.“

Karin Kowalik, 1st TG WT:

“The entire series of lectures is very clearly structured and the topics are well coordinated. The documentation and information is very extensive and of high quality. In addition to the theoretical content, I would like to see some practical content during a block attendance event.“

Christian Einicke, 1st TG WT:

“I am really enthusiastic about the very varied instruction in an informal atmosphere. Further training is a precondition for professional development. One day I would like to teach WingTsun at schools and universities as part of a recognised academic discipline. I expect this course to give me comprehensive new knowledge and a new understanding based on scientific enquiry.“

Ole Rockel, 12th SG WT:

“We are in absolutely uncharted territory where the combination of subjects is concerned. Grandmaster Kernspecht’s calm resolve is really very impressive. I would like to help ensure that real martial arts achieve more long-term recognition and remain alive. Specifically I expect this course to expand my knowledge of the biomechanics in WT and WT teaching methods.“

Heidemarie Muxfeldt, 4th SG WT:

“There is a great deal to be learned. It is very enjoyable to do this in such a personal atmosphere, not in the anonymity of a university routine. I want this course to deepen my knowledge of WingTsun from many different angles. My compliments to the organisers, who have ploughed this new furrow and were also able to find an answer to all questions, problems and requests wherever possible.“