36th Anniversary of the International South Shaolin Wuzuquan Friendship Association

Chief Instructors Richard Timmis and Nigel Gilham were accompanied by a team of 18 to attend the 36^th Anniversary of the International South Shaolin Wuzuquan Friendship Association meeting and participate in the 56^th Anniversary of the Chee Kim Thong Pugilistic & Health Society Charity event. The team comprising of members from the UK, Ireland, USA, Taiwan and Thailand arrived in the second week of November in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

For many exchanging the cold weather of the UK and Ireland for a humid 35ºC was quite an experience. The team settled into the Pearl Point Hotel in Kuala Lumpur to rest after the long flights.

On the 13th of November some members of the group travelled 50km to the final resting place of Grandmaster Chee Kim Thong. The team had the opportunity to make offerings of incense and fresh fruits with prayers of thanks and gratitude. In the beautiful, peaceful surroundings it was an opportunity for the team to reflect, give thanks and pay our respects.

Friday 14th November – after registration, the team attended the welcome dinner, speeches and demonstrations prepared for the evening.

In the morning of Saturday 15^th November all participants travelled to the historic ancient coastal town of Malacca (a short three hour coach ride from KL). Everyone enjoyed exploring the town and its rich history and variety of old buildings and tea shops. The trip also included many local dishes including blue rice which is given it’s colour by a natural local flower.

After the return journey from Malacca, Master Chee Boon Seng (Grandmaster Chee Kim Thong’s son) who resides in Australia, with his senior students generously gave an impromptu lesson in the foyer of the Pearl Point until the early hours of Sunday morning.

Sunday 16^th everyone travelled to the signing ceremony for the official formation of the *Chee Kim Thong Pugilistic & Health Society International (*CKTi) school which was formally set into motion. It was one of the late Grandmaster Chee Kim Thong’s wishes to have an international school to preserve, teach and promote the traditional art of Wuzuquan, committing to upholding its principles of discipline, respect, integrity and cultural heritage. This initiative aims to preserve and promote the traditional arts Grandmaster Chee generously shared with his disciples and senior students from around the world.

Witnessed by Master Chee Boon Seng and Chairman of the Chee Kim Thong Pugilistic and Health Society International Master Kok Seng Puan, both Richard Timmis and Nigel Gilham were awarded Senior Chief Instructors for the school (Nan Shaolin Wuzuquan – Han Jin Yuan UK/Eur) as an associate member of CKTi. When the signing ceremony was over everyone was taken to the Chee Kim Thong Pugilistic & Health Society Clubhouse for food, lion dances and firecrackers to pay respects to Grandmaster Chee.

The day concluded with the Charity dinner in association with the Malaysian Lions who raised enough tickets to the event to donate two kidney dialysis machines.

After the event had finished some team members spent a few more days in Kuala Lumpur including having some additional training time at the Chee Kim Thong clubhouse.

Additional thanks to Master Erland & Master Alan Soo who kindly gave the team considerable additional teaching time and the benefit of their extensive experience of Wuzuquan.

We would also like to thank the Chee Kim Thong organising committee and those behind the scenes who made the event so memorable and enjoyable for all the delegates from around the world.