Before I speak about the grading that took place at the Summer Seminar, I wish to write further about the Technician Re-grading. It does not please me to write this post; however, it is highly pertinent to students of all levels and I would suggest taking careful note of the following...

 

Out of 5 students that took the examination only 1 was successful. Knowing the students, and having been briefed by the teachers on the effort of these students over the last 8 months, this was not particularly surprising. However, the manner in which this happened was unexpected. With over 40 beginners watching on in earnest, I was frankly embarrassed; so bad were most of the performances that I curtailed the exam with not even a ¼ of the exam completed.

 

Power, speed, co-ordination, dynamics, targetry and footwork were far below the standard they should be. While not all 4 were equally dire, they certainly did not lead by example and were actually put to shame by the standard of the basic students in the summer seminar grading. In fact, there were 4^th Student Grades (some of them small females...) who punched harder and faster than those attempting this exam.

 

The next question for the failed students is a very simple one – is their ego bigger than their desire to improve? As a serious martial arts examiner, you learn that students who are failed in examinations (especially high level grades) often stop training and leave the schools. If a person is motivated by pure hubris and egotism than the ‘slight’ of failing is often too much to bear. However, it should be said that any decision to leave indeed vindicates the exam result – a person who cannot learn from failure is not a martial artist and, as such, is not worthy of attaining a senior level.

 

If these 4 students want to prove that they indeed have the ingredients to be well-regarded martial artists then they will rise to the challenge. Indeed, I hope they do so, as their next steps will show exactly their character. Actions alone cut through the smokescreen of specious words and promises...

 

This night was not one that will be forgotten quickly and was a stark warning to those going for Primary Level exams later this year. Students must remember that Chinese Wing Tsun is too precious to be debased by sheer laziness.

 

Sifu

 

Ps. On an aside note, a key quality of a martial arts examiner is to be dispassionate and detached. No reason - personal, financial or otherwise - should ever dissuade you from making the right decision. And so readers can see this in clear perspective, this time I even failed one of my own private students who has been with me nearly 6 years...