Academy scoops golden pool

By RUSSELL BENNETT
EVERYBODY was kung-fu fighting in Melbourne earlier this month at the Victorian State Wu Shu Tai Chi Championships.
But one Berwick based martial arts school stood tall above the rest as Golden Lion Academy took home a staggering 12 gold medals from across a range of classes and divisions on 5 August.
Wu shu is a modern sport based on the traditional Chinese art of kung-fu. Within wu shu, there are two divisions: kung-fu and tai chi.
It’s a completely non-aggressive sport with the emphasis on self defence and mental aptitude.
St Margaret’s Year 7 student Ashleigh Tsui-Po took home two gold medals. Her father Richard runs Golden Lion.
The kung-fu tradition is rich in the Tsui-Po family. They have been teaching in Australia for more than 40 years, starting in 1971 with Golden Lion.
“It (wu shu) is great for kids, and adults as well, to do this because it improves their coordination, flexibility and endurance,” Mr Tsui-Po said.
“With a lot of our students it has also improved their motor and learning skills. “Wu shu is a discipline of both the body and the mind.
“It’s non-aggressive, whereas some forms are mainly based on the fighting aspects.”
Ashleigh showed exceptional talent at a young age – starting at just four years of age. She now trains three to four times a week for two hours at a time at Golden Lion’s studios.
“I just like being able to build up my confidence,” she said.
“And it’s a different sport, so it’s not just like having a ball and bat.
“It’s something different and unique.”
Golden Lion had 10 competitors at the state titles earlier this month and took home three silver medals and a bronze, in addition to their swag of gold. Ashleigh competes in 13-16 age group.
Each competitor has to display a range of moves in a specific order during their routine. Five judges then mark that routine out of 10, with the highest and lowest totals removed as with some Olympic sports.
“(Wu shu) gets the kids away from the TV and their computer games,” Mr Tsui-Po said.
“It’s good for their learning as well.
“They have to remember the sequences of their routines in the right order. “Mentally and physically they’re programmed to remember things the correct way and do it correctly, so it obviously helps their study at school in all manner of ways.”
Ashleigh hasn’t competed internationally before but it’s something she has her sights set on.
“It’s one of my goals,” she said.
“To keep competing and compete at an international level.”