I am very proud to announce that we have three new 2nd level instructors after a very tough test on 5th Jan, 2013. I think they really deserved this promotion after having witnessed the hard work they have put in over the years. I am especially happy that they were able to perform many different Wing Tsun skillful movements in sparring sessions of the test, and not only chain punching. I would also like to note that one of the tester was sick but still did not give up to the very end. I hope their success can motivate them to train harder towards achieving their next goal. Congratulations again!

All three newly 2nd level technicians would like to share some feelings and reflections after the examination. Below are their personal testimonials:

Gloria Wong (2nd level Technician)

I can still remember almost 3 years ago when I was ecstatic about passing the test to become a Primary Technician in Wing Tsun.  I realized that my learning of Wing Tsun has just begun.  But in my mind, setting a goal such as being a Second Level Technician would be so unrealistic I should probably just forget about it.  For a period of time, my fear of failure and the businesses of life had taken me away from Wing Tsun, and my training has become sporadic.  It was only through encouragement of Sifu Lau and the Wing Tsun family that I decided to train regularly.  Preparing for the test was tough.  There were many nights when I tried to convince myself that I wasn’t good enough.  On the week of the test, I also had to battle with minor injury and flu.  But that only made me realize that nothing in life comes easy, and no timing can be perfect.  I just have to give my best and get through it.  Becoming a Second Level Technician is a humbling experience.  I still have many flaws and weaknesses, but with my Wing Tsun family I will grow.  And I don’t think I can be here without the love and support of everyone who gave me cut lips, bruises, and gruelling sparring sessions.  To everyone at CWTA, a big “thank you” from the bottom of my heart!

Edwin Lau (2nd level technician)

In my first ever Wing Tsun class, I was taught that in additional to learning about this martial arts, we will also be trained on how to develop respect for each other.  As time goes by, the reason for this becomes much clearer. In the past 5 years where I have been learning, practising, and teaching Wing Tsun, I felt the happiness when I see other students in our gym improve as a result of their hard work.  I felt the sense of accomplishment when I have become more fluent with my forms and applications after spending hours and hours, both inside and outside of class, practising my forms, circles steps, chain punches, and random punches.  I felt the gratitude when various members of the Wing Tsun family are taking their time to spar with me to help with my training. During this time, I thoroughly understand that in additional to having receiving guidance from SIFU and various instructors, having the opportunity to practise with so many different people in class – regardless of their experience in Wing Tsun – is a key reason for our improvements.  Someone may not have been training as long as you have been, but there are still many things that you can learn from them help too, such as professional medical knowledge on how to cure injuries received from training, how to do strength and fitness training outside of class to supplement your training, how to balance between rest and training so that we don’t over train and get injured, how to relax and reduce nervousness before taking a test, giving you the chance practise your sparring skills against people who are physically much more more bigger and stronger than you, etc. Not only have I developed a huge respect for SIFU and various instructors, but also I have developed a huge respect towards so many people in class too, regardless of their experience in Wing Tsun.  Having the chance to practise Wing Tsun with so many different people in class is one of the reasons why I was prepared for the 2nd Level Instructor test.  Without everybody’s willingness to help me train for this test, I would not have been able to be as well prepared for it.  Hopefully, we will all understand the better you become in Wing Tsun, the more humble you should be because your accomplishment is only possible with the help of all others. On paper, others may not be as highly ranked as you are, but there are so much you can learn from them too.

Alex Lee (2nd level technician)

Thanks for all the help from Sifu Lau, my Wing Tsun brothers and sisters.  Without you all, I would not be making it to level two instructor.   The test has few parts, forms, random punches, sweep and fall, and three sparring. Everything happened so fast on that day, I couldn’t really remember what I did, but I can only remember the happiness when Sifu Lau said “PASS” and …….  the beers afterwards. After practicing Wing Tsun for many years, it has become part of life.  Last year, Sifu Lau provided me a chance to go to San Antonio to help on his seminar. It was another wonderful experience since we were warmly welcomed by Sifu Gilbert and his students.  Also Sifu Steve and Sifu Chris and their students visited Toronto few times,  it provided me a great opportunity to improve my skill.  Remember “iron sharpens iron, as one man sharpens another”.  Thanks again for everyone who came to support three of us in the test.  Congrats to Si-Suk Gloria and Si-Hing Edwin!  And most importantly, thanks to Sifu Lau for his teaching.