MARTIAL ARTSTHE Chat Ying Kuen Kung Fu club of Assington near Sudbury celebrated its end-of-year training session, with many fitness games and the annual Merit and Student of the Year awards.

MARTIAL ARTS

THE Chat Ying Kuen Kung Fu club of Assington near Sudbury celebrated its end-of-year training session, with many fitness games and the annual Merit and Student of the Year awards.

The Kung Fu club moved from Sudbury to Assington two years ago and has had a steady flow of students enter its Kwoon (training hall), many of which have trained extremely well throughout the year.

The annual awards ceremony is to credit those few students who have given that extra little bit of dedication and hard work.

The merit awards went to:

Shelly Byers: Shelly has been with the club for many years now and has been a constant presence since its move to Assington, and is always willing to help beginners with a smile and a positive attitude, proving that dedication doesn't mean rushing through gradings and sashes since enjoying your training is always paramount.

Jeff Shepherd: Jeff has also proved that gradings do not have to be the main focus in one's studies and that dedication can come from contributing to the club in other ways. Combine this with the fact that he has celebrated his 60th year and is still training hard, and you proof of his dedication.

Abby Hammond: Abby has improved her sparring immensely using both focus and determination and has been another constant presence in the past year. Her hard work allowed her to pass her gradings and gain a medal at the national championships, despite a broken toe.

Rowan Pritchard: Rowan is a sponge for information and seems to focus on learning something new every lesson. He has shown a passion for kung fu and has achieved much in his short time at the club, and had his experience at the national championships.

The Student of the Year Award went to Dave Hammond. He has been a constant presence since his arrival at the club three years ago, and possesses the discipline, respect and focus necessary to achieve much in his training and has already started to show his own style. Friendly and welcoming to all students, he manages to bring something to each and every lesson that benefits not just himself but the club as a whole.

Sifu Vince Bloomfield would like to congratulate all the students mentioned and also the rest of the students for their hard work.

Chat Ying Kuen Kung Fu train on Sundays and Wednesdays from 7.30 to 9pm and Thursdays from 8 to 9.30pm. Tai Chi and Chi Kung is held on Sundays from 6 to 7.15pm and Thursdays from 7 to 8pm

The Chat Ying Kuen Kung Fu Club alongside Tai Chi is affiliated to the BCCMA (British Council for Chinese Martial Arts), the only body in the UK recognised by the Sports Council and are the only official 'freestyle' Kung Fu and Tai Chi club in East Anglia.

You can visit the club's website at www.chatyingkuenkungfu.com.