MACCLESFIELD martial artist Grant Cooke has boosted his knowledge and prowess after an inspirational three-month trip to China.
For three months, he trained six days a week under the renowned master Shi Xing Qing.
Grant, who is opening a new club at Tytherington High School today [Wednesday], stayed at the Kunyu mountains in Yantai to study traditional Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Bagua and Chi Gong.
Each day began with a half-hour exercise period at 5.30am, followed by an hour of meditation and Tai Chi, all before breakfast.
The day’s first meal was followed by a three-mile run and a mountain climb to the camp’s training area.
Another tortuous run after lunch led to more training, a Bagua session and one final workout before bed.
"It was exhausting," he admitted. "But great fun. I was able to earn many new skills and techniques.
"Real martial arts are under increasing pressure to hold competitions in order to prove themselves in the modern world of sport karate, tae kwon do and boxing.
"A martial arts master called Soke Hatsumi said that the only test one need undergo is life, staying alive, staying safe and it is this which martial arts can teach - not only no-nonsense, effective self-defence and martial arts techniques but confidence, discipline and respect, anti-bully skills, fitness and fun."
Grant started training in martial arts at the age of four. Since then, he has trained for five to seven days a week ever since.
"I started judo training at the Fermain Centre because I was being bullied at school.
"I managed to progress through the belts at quite a pace and received my purple belt within 18 months. I didn’t find that it was able to help me stop getting bullied but I carried on my practice regardless.
"I then found Kempo Ju Jitsu club. The advertisement said ‘the ultimate in self defence’ so my mum took me along. At first I hated it, but I stuck at it.
"Not long after I got my first belt in kempo ju jitsu, another bully confronted me and I ended up beating him not using my martial arts technique, but the self-confidence and anti-bully skills I had learned.
"Since then I have to say that I have unfortunately had to resort to using my skills outside the dojo (training hall) as all other alternatives were exacerbated - and have always come out on top."
In September, he will start a degree in Martial Arts Theory and Practice with business management at Derby University.
"The art I practice and teach is designed for realistic self-defence as well as anti-bully skills, martial arts virtues, fitness, fun and more.
"Although we have games, which onlookers would see as competition, this is not the main focus of our art - staying safe is."
If you are interested in joining Sensei Grant’s classes on Wednesday evenings, call 07909 816587 or 07914 042341, or visit www.strengththroughknowledge.com. Two free introductorytrial sessions are on offer.
