School(s) in: Amsterdam

School Owner since: 1986

Motto:

WingTsun gives me the security to be able to lead a free, self-confident and self-determined life as a woman nowadays.

Why did you start with WingTsun?

I was the first Escrima student of Frank Schäfer in Kassel and then became his WingTsun student and life partner. I actually felt less driven by my insecurity than attracted by the then Kassel group leader … However, I was then quite quickly captivated by the fascination of WingTsun itself.

Why are you still doing WingTsun?

Due to lack of time I stopped regular Escrima training. WingTsun, however, I still practice actively, because there is simply nothing comparable for me. Especially since WT, through my SiFu GM Kernspecht is able to renew itself again and again – like the Phoenix from the ashes. In each decade a true quantum leap has taken place within the EWTO. Who needs anything else?

What was your standout WT experience?

That was probably 1997 in Hong Kong, when I received from Grandmaster Leung Ting the 3rd TG (today HG) and my title to the (first) Lady-Sifu in WingTsun. But there were still many unique experiences that I owe to WingTsun.

What changed for you when you received the 1st HG or 5th MG?

The 5th MG was for me a kind of liberation from the then technical constraints. Unlike Sifu Frank, I was less interested in the relatively fixed procedures. The blind drilling of techniques was not my favorite activity. However, the application in free practice, that was completely my thing. Especially since the introduction of the ReakTsun programs and routines, which confused me in the beginning, I am more enthusiastic than ever before – not to mention the ingenious development of today’s iWT.