He continued to train with the full contact squad and in 1975 was promoted to Brown 2 and competed in the European Championships in Italy. This time he came second in the full contact open Black Belt division without disqualification or incident. Some 6 to 7 of the Black belt full contact competitors were sent to hospital on the day with injuries ranging from broken ribs, concussion to bent/broken fingers, dislocated arms and sever bleeding. It was a hard competition. Robert managed second place.
The Championships in 1976 were in London with a very large contingent of competitors from many European Countries. There were almost twice as many competitors in the Open Full Contact Black division than the previous year, including 7 of Sense's Blacks . Robert Z graded for Black belt in late May, just in time for the competitions and was one of the entrants. He had to spar against two of his team mates, which was tough enough but the toughest opponent was the co finalist, a 6 foot 4 inch (tall and wide) Greek Black belt. The fight was always going to be quick; He TKO'ed the big Greek with a roundhouse to the floating ribs, to become the winner of the 1976 European Championships in England.
That same year Sense's Arno was in France with 5 of his most senior instructors and was involved in a car accident. He was by himself in the car at the time and died on the spot.
After the death of Sensei Arno the club closed. Robert wanted to continue training especially as the Championships were to be held in his home town of Hamburg; but at that time, another karate club was not an option . Although he did not know it, at age of 24 he was getting a bit adverse to all the black eyes, broken/bloodied noses, pain, etc. He was looking for something gentler and was considering going back to Judo and finishing his Black Belt. Robert had also heard of the gentle and then still mysterious art of Aikido. A two month search resulted in finding Sensei 2nd Dan, Christine of "The Way of the Wind" Aikido. The classes were small and mostly private. During this time Robert met his wife Dagmar (married 25/2/1976) and started his Electronic Engineering Degree .
It was quite a challenge for a big strong successful karate fighter to adapt to the evasive and re directive Aikido. Robert persevered and continued his training until 1982 when he graded for his Aikido Black belt. He was fortunate as the he ad of the style h ad come from Japan to grade Sensei Christine to her third Dan (most senior in Europe at the time) and he was invited to be her sparring partner; and grade for his first Aikido Black. Five weeks after his grading Robert and wife Dagmar migrated to Melbourne, Australia.
In 1983, after settling in Gardenvale, Robert needed to get back into some type of physical training or martial arts. Going back to karate was not an option and being a big person over 30, the falling and rolling of Aikido h ad taken it's toll on Robert's back! Something different was needed! He visited many different schools and styles over a very short period of time and meet many excellent instructors and masters. It was though the Golden Lion Kung Fu, Tai Chi & Wu Shu Academy under Senior Master Dai Sifu Pi-er, Master Sifu Charles and Master Sifu Richard Tsui-Po that really was inspirational.
For the next 9 years Robert trained up to 7 days a week, up to 3 times a day. His wife Dagmar joined in 1984 and also trained up to 5 times a week (some to say she did this just to see her husband more often)! Robert was really inspired with the art and the three Masters!
in 1987 and 1988 saw the National Martial Art League (NMAL) competition in Victoria. They organized sparring teams of 5 persons each, and gave them their own colours and names. Each team was required to compete every three weeks for 10 events. At the end of which the best 5 competitors were chosen to be the State representatives against the other, at that time, 2 states.
It was a full contact competition but nowhere as brutal and ruthless as the European Championships. This was good that way as Robert was the oldest competitor by almost 10 years. For two years he participated, initially with the Golden Lion Team (The Lions) later together with a rag-tag group made up of people who's teams broke up. He h ad 20 bouts in all, 19 of which he won.
1989 was also the year of Roberts Black Sash grading. Even though it was to be his 3rd Black Sash it seemed as if it were to be his first. Now aged 36 he was a bit aware of his age compared to most others. His partner Craig with whom Robert trained often in weaponry and demonstration events was also to be graded. Fortunately Craig was also a 'Kung Fu Nut' who trained almost every day and then some. They often went to Murrumbeena Park after Saturday and Sunday Training to work on their routines and in 89 in preparation for their Black Sash's.
There was a good interaction in Murrumbeena Park. Many people came to the park to walking and running the round, there was enough room for Cricket, Football and other sports. There were always many people around and some people would stop and watch us training. Some of these were martial artists and we asked them to joined in and train with us. Some did but many didn't and there was a sharing of training information. Some just sat on the bench and watched.
In 1989, whilst training by himself in the Park, a small oriental gentleman stopped and watched (he may have been there before at previous training Saturdays or Sundays but unnoticed). This in itself was not unusual; what was unusual about this person was that he stayed the full 2 hours and watched. The next Sunday (which were usually without Craig who h ad a new girl friend and could not train as often)) the gentleman was back, sitting on the same spot. Whilst Robert was practicing the Iron Wire form (a hard isometric form), the gentleman started to chuckle. Robert felt a bit annoyed at this but what to do. The quiet chuckling continued until the man shook his head, walked over and adjusted my Robert's leg and foot positioning. This was very unusual!
He introduced himself as Hushiu (phonetic spelling) who unfortunately spoke very, very little English. He was quite an animated, interesting gentleman of some 160cm, 60+ years and enormous strength. Robert himself was around 135kg and this gentleman, half his size, seemed of equal strength. Over the coming few months Master Hushiu was a regular participant and teacher at these Sunday 'arvo' sessions. The communication was mainly Master Hushiu laughing and then adjusting some aspect of Robert's techniques; at times very frustrating but there was a difference. It is in these sessions that Robert Z learned to appreciate the detail that he did not learn to appreciate before.
This informal training continued for a period of 6 months with some exceptions until one Sunday. Master Hushiu came with a small boy who introduced himself as 'the nephew'. Steven was his English name. He explained that Master Hushiu was 87 years old, was Chinese and now lived in Taiwan where he was the founder and he ad of over a dozen different schools although he was no longer active. The schools were run by his sons and nephews. I was not able to find out what the style was that Master Hushiu taught except that it was a combination of "Shaolin Long Fist, Chi Kung and Tai Chi/Baqua". That day, Master Hushiu came to say goodbye as he was leaving to go back home the following Monday. They would not see each other again.
From this time onwards Robert made it a habit to train, at least once a week, with a different style. With some he stayed only for a few months with some he stayed for a while. The most memorable of these were;
- Chinese Karate - Long Fu Pai
- Tae Kwan Do - Master Moon
- Tai Chi - The Australian Tai Chi Academy
- Ninjitsu - Kevin Hawthorn Ninja Schools
- Kick Boxing - Free Style Academy
The time from 1987 to 1991 was also a time of many Demos and Shows. The Golden Lion Academy participated and a number of Moomba parades, in between play events at the MCG, Street and Council Festivals, Chinese New Year Lion Dancing and Shopping Center promotional's. This is also where Robert's second 'encounter'.
The Golden Lion Demo and Show team with which Robert & Craig were members, were performing at a street demo at the Glenhuntly Road festival. It was really a street demo by Glenhuntly RS, dodging trams whilst demonstrating in the middle of the street. At the end of the day, when all was packed up and everyone was ready to go he was approached by an oriental gentleman. Robert referred the gentleman to Master Richard, but the gentleman declined and wanted to speak to him. He identified himself in excellent English as Master Kin-nu the third son of Grand Master . . . . . of the Wind Element Tornado or Whirlwind kung fu style.
He said that he h ad observed Robert carefully, when he performed a form of Robert's own design (for the purpose of demos and competitions) based on the Northern Long Fist. Master Kin-nu observed that some of the form bore a striking resemblance to his family style. Robert mentioned that he did not know of the style. Master Kin-nu suggested that he and Robert might meet in a nearby park for a tea some time.
Two meetings and 3 pots of green tea later Master Kin-nu suggested to show Robert Z some aspects of his style including whirling fists, the windmill, and a few other techniques, moves and stepping. Much of what Robert saw he knew and h ad learned at the Golden Lion but what Master Kin-nu showed and explained was slightly different. Master Kin-nu explained some essentials of his family style that Robert h ad not ever seen or even considered before. This started a process that was to be the end of Robert time with the Golden Lion.
It seems that Master Kun-nu's family left China around the 1920's taking their style, Whirling Fists of . . . ., Thunder Stepping and Undulating Palm with them. This style of kung fu h ad been in their family exclusively for many generations. Master Kin-nu taught his style now only to two of his family members; which was his way of continuing his training of the family style. As he was visiting Australia he basically needed a victim; and this was a good thing. We continued to meet in various parks for a further 3 months, once a week on Sunday mornings. They were tough session in which Robert was also introduced to the principles of Undulating Palms, Thunder Stepping and of course Whirlwind Style/Fist Kung Fu, Heavy Foot, Water Palm, Tornado Kick, Whipping Branch hands, the Lightning Front Kick, Ape Hand & Feet Techniques and many others (Master Kun-nu enjoyed 'descriptive names' for techniques); although nothing was allowed to be noted down or recorded (Robert was into Video'ing). The requirement was honored by Robert and to this day none of these items have been recorded only passed along in training verbally
It was one Sunday after training Master Kin-nu invited Robert to Yum-Cha at the Gold Leaf restaurant in Glenhuntly Road. There he told him that that was their last session session. He was returning home. The announcement coming out of the blue, Robert sought to thank Master Kin-nu for the training but Master Kin-nu replied that it was his honor and pleasure to do so; (which Robert h ad not quite understood at the time). Then slightly grinning, suggested that otherwise he would have been very bored when the rest of his family went to Sunday worship!
Golden Lion Kung Fu was extremely interesting but the encounter with the two masters and other aspects in his life (professional & personal including the death of his father) made him a difficult person at that time. Robert's father died in May 1990, Robert changed jobs and around this time, he was finishing his 3rd Engineering Degree and there were other professional and personal issues. He was getting restless and unruly. Robert's restlessness was causing some problems at the Lion and neither Robert nor the masters at the Golden Lion new how to deal with this problem.
In November 1991 he was asked to come in and see Dai Sifu Pi-er. After a short talk that was a bit frustrating, Dai Sifu, suggested that Robert take a 3 month break from training. He was devastated and felt very rejected; which is to say he did not take this well. He never returned to train with the Golden Lion.
In later years, as Robert h ad his own students, he understood that there h ad been no other choice for Di Sifu. He went back to see Dai Sifu and offered his apologies for the problems that he h ad caused in that last year and a half of training. The apology was accepted but the relationship was not pursued although Robert still thought very highly of the GL especially Dai Sifu Pi-er.
In 1989 Robert became a Systems Manager and transferred to another building in the city; one with great Gym and Aerobic Facilities. Here Robert started a few private students. Sourced mainly through his work at Telstra, a few 'high flyers' were training with him regularly at lunchtime. After leaving the GL, Robert started taking regular private classes and groups also in the evening. At this time he h ad a wide cross section of persons training with him, many of which were also Black Belts in other styles. Most notable were two Tae Kwan Do'ists. There footwork was fantastic but kung fu h ad a greater variety of kicks that they were interested in. It was a good experience to teach a Kicking Style kicks. It was at one of these sessions, that the idea for Roberts club came up.
Dagmar, Roberts wife and partner was also a member of the Golden Lion. After years of Kung Fu training she transferred to Master Charles's Tai Chi classed and was graded an instructor a year after Robert Grading. If a club was to be started, it could only be in cooperation with both.
Whilst reading a Chinese book of poem's, Robert came across the term Liang-i. It was explained as the proper name for what we now term Yin & Yang; "The two ancient, ever opposing, ever complimenting forces".. Robert & Dagmar were not ancient but definitely ever opposing and ever complimenting; what a fitting name for their first . . . venture together. Officially, Shaolin Kung Fu Australia and Liang-I Lifestyle Kung Fu were founded and registered on 24 June 1992.
Since this time, Shaolin Kung Fu Australia has h ad many success including over 20 Australian Championships, over 50 State Titles, and many other awards and recognitions. Yet the greatest of these would be when Shaolin Kung Fu Australia visited China in 2001.
Mai Ling of the Evergreen Travel Service organized a fantastic 24 day trip to China. This included everything including training with kung fu schools in each city we visited including a full weeks stay at the Shaolin Temple Training School. Three of these training sessions were very special.
The Beijing Kung Fu and Wushu school, a full time Secondary and Martial Art school put on a full show. We were greatly honored by the He ad Master who organized his National Demonstration Team show; quite impressive; 30 kids in unison, seniors demonstration and Weaponry. And that was just for the 8 of us and our two guides. Then they invited us to demonstrate. We only wanted to train with them and did not expect this. It was nerve racking.
After our warm-up we did our stuff. We h ad students from beginner level to Black Sash and included our 3 senior Blacks and one exceptional 'almost' black. There was quite a ripple through the crowd as we demonstrated. There was a great deal of applause and even exclamations. Especially when our Blacks demonstrated and even more when Sifu Chris performed the Drunken Panther Form. We didn't know it at the time but this would have consequences for us.
It seems that a lot of these schools in China are connected. When we reached Henan-Shaolin Temple Training School, We were greatly honored. The Chief Shaolin Temple School Trainer Sher Se Gung himself trained the team for a full week exclusively. He even took time out to show Master Robert some interesting Chin Na techniques, privately and just the two of them. It seems that the impression our demo h ad made with the Beijing school h ad somehow been conveyed to the Shaolin Temple Training School (and later even to Australia).
When Liang-I arrived in Xi'an, we were invited to the Xi'an Kung Fu and Wushu school. Much like the first school, this was a full time school with students at primary & secondary school levels that schooled 6 days a week in the morning in (for us) normal school and spend 2pm to 5pm in Wushu Training to achieve their High School Diploma. Here we were greeted by the He ad of the school personally. He showed us around, introduced us to various seniors and teachers. There was also a demonstration organized, but this time a bit more ad hoc. It seems that they were more interested in our demonstration. So on we went.
There were a number of 'special guests' in attendance during our demo and a lot of the students gathered around. Again they started with polite applause when our beginner students demonstrated but became fairly excited when our 4 seniors demonstrated. After the demo there was a bit of interaction between the instructors and senior students and the Liang-I group after which we were invited for a tea.
There were now 14 person at the table; 8 Liang-I, 2 interpreters, School Principle, Deputy, Secretary and an older gentleman. We were introduced, for the first time, to China's National Deputy for Wushu. It seems that he was originally one of the key person in the organization of Wushu but now being over 70 he passed this on to a 'younger lot'. The schools interpreter explained that he came by Aeroplane from Beijing just to see us. We were in awe and humbled.
Shaolin Kung Fu Australia at the Shaolin Temple training School
with He ad School Instructor Sher She Gung |
Liang-I with the Xi'an Wushu & Kung Fu school |
Shaolin Kung Fu Australia at the Bei Jing
Wushu & Kung Fu Institute |
Another great success for Master Robert Z and Shaolin Kung Fu Australia is the Distance Education Program, Shaolin Cyber Kung Fu. With over 1100 students in over 67 countries around the world. Shaolin Cyber Kung Fu has also achieved many success for it's Cyber students including a number of championships. Founded in 1996, the 5 Animal Cyber Kung Fu program is expanding into other generations of Shaolin Kung Fu including Weaponry, 72 Shaolin Fists and 170 Movements.
The journey continues . . . .
Sijo Robert Z was not one to tre ad water. In 2002 he h ad a choice of taking a package or going back to being and Fibre Optic engineering (which he h ad not done since 1995). As he h ad been contemplating becoming a 'full time' martial artist, he took the package. There was of course a great 'pay' cut. The club needed to start earning money or else . . .
Master Robert was not prepared to compromise the style which now h ad developed to being a full Shaolin 5 Animal Style. Working on the Shaolin Aspect for a decade, it seemed it was a bit too difficult to be a commercial style that could be of interest to a wide variety of persons.
At this time Master Robert was introduced to one of Australia's most successful practicing martial artists Sensei Loh (http://www.shogunmartialartscentre.com/). Sensei was in many ways the ideal Karate Master. Running a successful Dojo and being able to travel around 4 times a year to Okinawa to train with masters. Sensei Loh asked "What is it that is most important to you, the style, the students or your ego?". Well immediately the answer shot out, the students! Well then, Sensei Loh said, you must conduct your club accordingly.
It took a while but this interaction made an incredible difference to the club and allowed Master Robert to make a modest living from his students. With the addition of occasional acting jobs and the occasional Cyber Pack sold, life is good as a professional Shaolin Kung Fu Master.
Master Z's fascination with Shaolin h ad him continually researching anything to do with Shaolin History. In 2005 this was recognised by the Encyclopedia Britannica who listed the Shaolin History page as a reference. But this was the tip of the iceberg of Shaolin history.
Shaolin Kung Fu Australia was considered the pinnacle of Shaolin arts (although current day Shaolin Wushu practitioners would probably argue this). Yet there were also the 4 'other' Shaolin styles;
- 18 Hands of Lo Han (539 ad to 570ad)
- 72 Fists of Shaolin (600ad)
- 170 Shaolin Principles (also know as moves) (650ad)
- 5 Animal Kung Fu (1100 ad to 1645ad)
- Shaolin Wushu (~1960ish)
- Shaolin Weaponry
It is now a stated aim of Master Robert Z to reconstitute the early styles of Shaolin Kung Fu and make them available to his students. Shaolin Weaponry (the art of not using weapons) and the Shaolin 72 Fists have already been rolled out to Shaolin Kung Fu Students. Sijo senior Instructor Sifu John is completing a 2 years study on the 170 Moves and along the way has found some additional clues to the real 18 hands of Lohan.
Sijo and Students at the Boxing Day Presentation &
break-Up Party Themed 'Animals'
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Club Birthday and Presentation Party
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Sijo's & Sibok's 'Extended Family' Christmas
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Plans are now in progress of opening a larger full time center where all these disciplines will be taught including Shaolin Wushu (although there are many good masters of this and someone will be found to take on the Shaolin Wushu aspect of the club). The biggest challenge is finding good Shaolin Kung Fu instructors as it takes some 6 years of regular training to achieve a Black Sash in just one of the disciplines of Shaolin.
From about 2007/8 programs will be offered on a full time basis for both National and International students. The logic being that if it takes 6 years of training 2½ times a week most weeks to become a Shaolin Kung Fu/Weaponry Black Sash (550 to 750 sessions), persons training 3 classes a day, 6 days a week. for 45 weeks would equal that amount and be able to have a good chance and succeeding in the 2½ day Shaolin Kung Fu Black Sash Grading. The grading's will be the same with an 80% pass required in all levels for a Black Sash and in addition to the various theory subjects (presenting, teaching styles, first aid, national accreditation, etc.) a 90% pass to become a Shaolin Kung Fu instructor
Master Robert Z is in no rush though. Anything worth doing is worth doing well and taking time. Often the journey is more enjoyable and satisfying than the final end product.
If you would like to comment on any of the above, ask clarifying questions or some such; click on the icon below and send an e-mail to Sijo Robert!
