School(s) in: Namur (B)

School Owner since: 2001

Motto:

No matter what challenges you face, you can overcome them all.

Why did you start with WingTsun?

At that time, my physically superior boxing coach was invincible in my eyes. In the end, he practiced all styles of boxing: Muay Thai, kickboxing, and boxing. No matter how hard I trained and how often I pushed my physical limits, he always remained faster, stronger, and more tenacious.
 I was sure that there had to be a martial art that would enable physically average people to hold their own against these “athletes.”
One day, this boxing trainer challenged an older WT fighter. The WT fighter was victorious.
 This was the martial art I had been looking for all along. This is where my love for this fascinating martial art was born and has been with me ever since. Through WT I also discovered Escrima, a system I also practice and appreciate in equal measure.

Why are you still doing WingTsun?

This unquenchable thirst, this will to learn and the willingness to go beyond my limits are unchanged to this day.
 In our EWTO there are outstanding masters who always push us to the limit, identifying our faults, however small, so that we can progress and defeat ourselves. Of course, this makes us better fighters, but above all, it makes us better people. I would like to thank them for what they have made of me – martial arts-wise and humanly. I don’t need to call them by name. They will recognize themselves and know how much I appreciate them. Hopefully I will continue to learn from you for a long time.

What was your standout WT experience?

I move (steps, strokes, bends, etc.) like I would have thought impossible 20 years ago. This is simply madness!

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

Well, an awful lot of training hours; self-criticism to get better; lots of lessons. But also hundreds of kilometers by car and a few gray hairs.
 Conclusion: a wonderful experience!