This section describes the events that are directly related to those people who are actively involved in the development of Wingchun Kungfu within our Federation.
Wingchun Kungfu has been developing in Ukraine for more than 45 years.
Shifu Hoang Vinh Giang (from Vietnam).
Photo of the 70s, from Georgii Kuzmin’s personal archive
Professor Hoang Vinh Giang is the progenitor of the Wingchun Kungfu development in the post-Soviet states. Hoang Vinh Giang, a Vietnamese citizen, came to the USSR to study, and it turned out that he had to study in Kyiv (capital of Ukraine). Professor Giang taught Vinh Xuan NoiGia Pai - the Vietnamese line of the Wingchun Kungfu system, the progenitor of which was Master Yuen Chai Wan (Nguyễn Tế-Công in Vietnamese). So far, this line has been almost unknown in the west, but now it gained extraordinary popularity. The practitioners of the “West” literally “rushed” trying to catch up, forgetting about their former Teachers. However, one of the principles of Wingchun teaches about “the danger of going to extremes”.
Giang represented a master Tien’s line of Wingchun. Tran Thuc Tiến (some people pronounce it as Tran Thuc Tian. In Vietnamese there are at least 4 dialects so the pronunciation will differ according to the geographic location) was one of master Nguyễn Tế-Công’s main students.
Kyiv was a pioneer in the development of the Wingchun system in the former USSR, and later in the CIS.
The development of the Wingchun Kungfu system in the former USSR and in Ukraine is closely connected with the history of studying this style by Georgii Kuzmin. Georgii Kuzmin is the initiator and creator of the "Ukrainian Federation of Wingchun kungfu/Jeetkunedo”.
At the end of 1977, Georgii Kuzmin’s Viet-vo-dao teacher - Le Van Kong, introduced him to Hoang Vinh Giang, who had just arrived in Kyiv for studying.
In the spring of 1978, the first Wingchun Kungfu sports club started in Kyiv (not in Moscow) under the direction of Hoang Vinh Giang. His students, the first ones in the former USSR to study Wingchun Kungfu, were:
- Georgii Kuzmin, Andrii Kuzmin (younger brother of G. Kuzmin) – Kyiv;
- Vitalii Minchenko and his students: Boris Zub, Vitalii Kripak, Pavel Kovalenko, Victor Ovchar, called "Little" - Kyiv;
- Anatoly Popovich; Yuri Galushko; Alexander Komisarov; Vladimir Platonov - currently the rector of the "National University of Ukraine on Physical Education and Sport" - Kyiv.
- Vladimir Illarionov (absolute USSR champion in karate) from Leningrad (now St. Petersburg).
- Yuri Vyalkov from Almaty (see "Gallery" section).
These people were the ones, who really studied Wingchun Kungfu from Professor Hoang Vinh Giang. It was a master Tien’s Vietnamese Wingchun line.
(Presidium of the "Ukrainian Federation of Wingchun kungfu/Jeetkunedo")
It should be noted that nowadays, Kyiv hasn’t lost its tradition of leadership in the popularization and development of the Wingchun Kungfu system.
1989
In 1989, Georgii Kuzmin completed the Chinese language course of the "Second Kyiv State Foreign Language Courses", with a mark "Excellent" (Certificate No. 2343). The study period was 1986-1989. It is impossible to comprehend Kungfu, being completely unaware of the language and culture of the region.
The first trip to China made a strong impression on Georgii Kuzmin. Literally, everything that previously could only be read and seen on TV is interesting. But it's a real here, you can touch, ask and get an explanation. The vast majority of Chinese are totally clueless about Wingchun (but the main goal of the trip is to see at least some representative of the Wingchun system). The Chinese can only say that it’s Bruce Lee and the style somewhere south.
Since April 1989, Georgii Kuzmin has begun to participate in an international training workshops in Poland, which had been held under the guidance of the well-known Wingchun Kungfu system practitioners of a Wong Shun Leung’s line, such as: Janusz Szymankiewicz (Poland), Piotr Szawernowsky (Poland), Christoph Aeberhard (Basel, Switzerland) – Wong Shun Leung’s student (Bruce Lee had studied Wingchun Kungfu under the guidance of Wong Shun Leung, who was also his mentor in all Bruce’s battles against other schools in Hong Kong). Janusz Szymankiewicz soon became a personal student of Wong Shun Leung. It is necessary to pay tribute to Janusz Szymankiewicz – the pioneer of the Wingchun Kungfu system in Poland and a highly intelligent and benevolent person, who has devotedly studied Wingchun Kungfu system all his life. Georgii Kuzmin has received a videotape from Janusz Szymankiewicz with documentary records about master Sum Nung (Cen Neng). This videotape made a long-time search for master Sum Nung (Cen Neng) start off.
In August 1989, a martial arts club “LOTUS” was created in Kyiv. The club mainly focused on the development of the Wingchun Kungfu. Chief Instructor – Georgii Kuzmin. Besides Wingchun, the club was also developing:
- Dai Bang Phai («School of the Eagle») of the Việt-Võ-Đạo system - instructor Gennadii Pinchuk – a Le Van Than’s student;
- Shotokan-karate - instructor Alik Muchomodeev;
- Bodybiulding - instructor Vitalii Korchenyuk.
On September 1, 1989, a founding conference of the All-Union Kickboxing Council was held in Kyiv in the sports complex of the production association “Electronmash”. Georgii Kuzmin had been well-acquainted with Oleg Ziborov (Moskow) and Andrey Chistov for many years and took part in the creation and choice of the executives of this organization as the head of the delegation from the martial arts club “LOTUS”. The Conference brought together representatives and delegates from all over the USSR. Everyone sincerely wanted an official and normal development of the martial arts in the USSR. The newly created organization was called the “All-Union Kickboxing Council”, Oleg Evgenyevich Zibrov was elected the president, and the headquarters was located in Kyiv, on Gorodetsky Street 10/1.
1990
On June 20, 1990, Georgii Kuzmin received a wushu gymnastics instructor qualification at the Center for Continuing Education of the All-Union association “Znanie” at the Moscow City Council of National Universities (Diploma No. T-001 of June 20, 1990).
Another trip to China during July and August. The search for Wingchun school, and most importantly master Sum Nung (Cen Neng), continues throughout China. At the same time, getting familiar with other Chinese wushu styles and qigong.
In Odessa, the 4th All-Union Festival of Martial Arts and Health systems “Võ Viêtnam” is being held during Vietnam culture days. Club “LOTUS” takes part in the festival. Georgii Kuzmin demonstrates the 1st, 2nd, 3rd classic forms of the Wingchun Kungfu for the first time in the USSR. A lot of people in the hall are excited and want to study Wingchun Kungfu (even among people, who study other martial arts). Georgii Kuzmin meets Mr. Hoang Minh Bai – a student of Vũ Bá Quý. Vũ Bá Quý is one of the first students of Nguyễn Tế-Công.
In late 1990, Georgii Kuzmin began to combine his work at the martial arts club “LOTUS” with work at the All-Union Kickboxing Council. In the Army Sports Club boxing hall Georgii Kuzmin trained Wingchun practitioners and entry-level kickboxers. The hall had been provided by Mikhail Matsikh and Vadim Zolotarev – Vitali Klitschko’s first boxing trainers. M. Matsikh and V. Zolotarev are the ones, who raised Vitali Klitschko and opened a path into professional sports for him. Serious level kickboxers in Kyiv were trained by Pavel Orel, Mikhail Matsikh, Vadim Zolotarev, Vladimir Shevchenko, Alexander Likhter, Yuri Bogatyrev, Anatoly Davidenko. Boxing and kickboxing were the main martial arts for them, they knew everything about the little details and nuances. Support was provided by Anatoly Klimanov, Richard Karpov, Vitaly Andreevich Bendelovsky (the first Ukrainian boxing champion of the USSR (1966, 54 kg)).
Later, the All-Union Kickboxing Council was reorganized into the All-Eurasian Kickboxing Federation. G. Kuzmin worked there as Executive Director, and later as Vice President.
During his work in kickboxing, Georgii Kuzmin gained a tremendous experience in a sports organization, that was involved in the development of contact martial arts, and learned a lot from well-known boxing coaches, many of whom were famous boxers.
1991
A trip to China.
1992
April-May, a trip to China.
2-nd traveling to China in May
Las Vegas (US).
As a member of the sports delegation from the CIS, Georgii Kuzmin arrives in Las Vegas for the professional Kickboxing and Thai-boxing tournament: "CIS vs USA".
The delegation consisted of ten people:
Vitali Klitschko (Ukraine, Kyiv) - Brad Haffton (USA) (heavyweight);
Alexey Nechayev (Ukraine, Kyiv)) - Troy Dorsey (USA) (56,5-58,2);
Vladimir Popov (Óêðàèíà, Maryupol') - (75 êã);
Victor Vorgotskiy (Ukraine, Kyiv) - ();
Sergei Parhomenko (Ukraine, Kyiv) - Marek Pietrovsky (Poland) (81 êã).
Oleg Zibrov (Moscow), Pavel Orel (Kyiv), Georgii Kuzmin (Kyiv), Alexander Likhter (Kyiv), Andrey Chistov (Kyiv).
Unforgettable meeting with Bill Wallace Bill ("Superfoot") Wallace, Jean Frenette ("Canadian tornado"), Jean-Claude Van Damme.
European kickboxing championship (WAKO) in Kavala (Greece), full contact section.
Varna (Bulgaria). European kickboxing championship (WAKO) in Varna (Bulgaria) in the sections: semi-contact, light-contact, and musical compositions.
1993
Bangkok (Thailand). For the first time in history, the CIS national team takes part in a Thai boxing competition. "Prince Cup" takes place. CIS team: Gennadii Suprunenko (Ukraina, Kiev), Vladimir Anochin (Russia, Nizhnii Tagil), Alexandr Ivanov (Russia), Eduard Byelousov (Byelarussia, Minsk).
China. A visit to Shaolin temple.
Odence (Denmark). World Kickboxing Championchip (IAKSA). For the first time, Igor "Ice Cold" Vovchanchyn (Ukraine, Kharkov) became the World Kickboxing Champion according to IAKSA. In the future, Igor Vovchanchin becomes a professional kickboxer and a mixed martial arts fighter, the winner and medalist of many tournaments in mixed martial arts. From 1995 to 2000, Vovchanchin won 32 in a row.
October, Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgaria), Open Championship (WAKO) of the Balkan countries in kickboxing: full-contact and low-kick.
1994
Acquaintance with lots of well-known Wingchun Kungfu practitioners. In April in Amsterdam (Holland), visiting a school of F. Schäfer – a representative of Leung Ting’s (Hong Kong) line. Later, attending a whole series of training workshops in Holland. Thai boxing seminar, organized by Fred Royers for "All-Eurasian Kickboxing Federation"athletes.
The second workshop G. Kuzmin attended was held in Rotterdam and The Hague by D. Wachtberger, the President of the Dutch Wingchun Kungfu Federation, and honorary president – master Wang Kiu. The workshop went on for more than a month. G. Kuzmin had to rent an apartment and hire an interpreter. He obtained a Wingchun Kungfu training program, and a special training videotape had been filmed.
During the training, negotiations with master Wang Kiu took place, he advised to create a Wingchun Kungfu Federation in Ukraine and to take part in the creation of the European Wingchun Kungfu Federation. But at that time, the situation was not in favor of establishing a Wingchun Federation in Ukraine.
On August 6, 1994, by the decision of the All-Eurasian Kickboxing Federation(AKF) presidium, the AKF president Oleg Ziborov (Moscow) appoints Georgii Kuzmin as the head of AKF for Wingchun Kungfu: “In order to assist the promotion of the martial arts, enrich CIS kickboxing school with eastern martial arts techniques, develop contacts and cooperation of AKF with sports organizations of the East”.
The third workshop was held in Gorinchem at the beginning of December under the guidance of master Wang Kiu(王喬).
In December 1994, G. Kuzmin begins to study one of the lines of the Vinh Xuan Pai system (Wingchun Kungfu), represented by Huynh Ngoc An – a student of Nguyễn Duy Hải (Hî Hai Long).
1995
April, a training workshop in Gorinchem (Holland) under the guidance of masters Chu Shong-tin, Ip Ching (the youngest son of the world-famous master Ip Man) and Wang Kiu (honorary president of the Dutch Wingchun Kungfu Federation). Master Chu Shong-tin gave instructions on Siu Lim Tao, Ip Ching explained the third form – Biu Jee, Wang Kiu gave instructions on practical work and Chi Sao. Georgii Kuzmin took part in this seminar, invited by D. Wachtberger and master Wang Kiu. At this workshop, Georgii Kuzmin received an invitation from master Chu Shong-tin to visit his school in Hong Kong.
At the end of August - the middle of September, Georgii Kuzmin (the only one from Ukraine) was in Shaolin attending the celebration of the 1500th anniversary of the Shaolin monastery.
From Shaolin, Georgii Kuzmin travels to Guangdong Province (South China), lives in Guangzhou, visits Foshan. The goal is to find master Sum Nung (Cen Neng) and other masters of the Wingchun Kungfu system in mainland China and to visit the memorial sites for the practitioners of the Wingchun system. The meeting with the master Sum Nung (Cen Neng) did not take place; he and his wife at that time held seminars in Australia and Peru.
In Foshan, Georgii Kuzmin meets the students of Pan Nam, master Feng, and others.
A trip from Guangdong Province to Hong Kong to attend individual training with master Chu Shong-tin in his own school in Hong Kong. Visiting the statue of Big Buddha, which was one of the largest statues of Buddha once.
1996
From 16 to 22 june a retreat by Dzogchen Teacher and Practitioner Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu is a Dzogchen teacher who was born in Derge, Kham district (Eastern Tibet) on 8 December 1938. When he was two years old, Namkhai Norbu was recognized as the 'mindstream emanation', a tulku, of the great Dzogchen teacher, Adzom Drugpa (1842-1924), at five he was also recognized as a mindstream emanation of an emanation of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (1594–1651). From an early age Namkhai Norbu undertook an accelerated course of study, attending monastic college, taking retreats, and studying with renowned teachers, including some of the most important Tibetan masters of his time. Under the tutelage of these teachers, he completed the training required by Buddhist tradition in both Sutrayana and Tantrayana. At the age of sixteen he met master Rigdzin Changchub Dorje (1826-1961/1978), who became his principal Dzogchen teacher.
In 1960 he came to Italy at the invitation of Professor Giuseppe Tucci, and served as Professor of Tibetan and Mongolian Language and Literature from 1964 to 1992 at the Naples Eastern University. Namkhai Norbu is widely recognized as a leading authority on Tibetan culture, particularly in the fields of history, literature, and Traditional Tibetan medicine and astrological sciences such as the Tibetan calendar. In 1983, he hosted the first International Convention on Tibetan Medicine, held in Venice, Italy.
In 1976 Chögyal Namkhai Norbu began to give Dzogchen instruction in the West, first in Italy, then in numerous other countries. He quickly became a respected spiritual authority among many practitioners, and has created centers for the study of Dzogchen around the world.
In September, Georgii Kuzmin studied with master Chu Shong-tin in Hong Kong.
October 9 – Beijing. October 11, arrival to Seoul for the World Kickboxing Championship, which was held in Gwangju. At this event, Georgii Kuzmin arrived as a representative of the All-Eurasian Kickboxing Federation and worked as a referee. On October 16, after the championship has ended, Kuzmin flew from Seoul back to Hong Kong.
The period from October 16 to October 25 Kuzmin devoted to training with Chu Shong-tin. Kuzmin arrived in Hong Kong with a badly damaged leg; it was practically impossible to walk. Master Chu Shong-tin kindly offered his help to deal with the injury. The art of "treating injuries and wounds" – Chu Shong-tin received from his teacher Grandmaster Ip Man. The result of the treatment made Kuzmin believe in the effectiveness of the method. In general, it will not be superfluous to mention that everything that Chu Shong-tin does makes you “pop your eyes and drop your jaw”.
On October 25, G. Kuzmin flew from Hong Kong to Hanoi (Vietnam), where he trained with the master Hoang Vinh Giang. The section "Bai quyen 108" (108 movements in a pair) has been significantly improved.
At the same time, Master Giang introduces G. Kuzmin to the highly respected Vinh Xuan NoiGia Pai (Wingchun Kungfu) system master— teacher Nguyen Xuan Thi (teacher Nguyen Xuan Thi — one of the students of sigung Trần Thúc Tiễn), who agreed to train G. Kuzmin.
Teacher Nguyen Xuan Thi taught the section "Khí công vĩnh xuân" (Qigong Wingchun). From Hanoi through Yunnan Province, return to Beijing, and then to Kyiv.
1997
In March 1997, Georgii Kuzmin and Alexei Shevchenko with his students: Igor Tunik (Kyiv), Oleg Grishchenko (Kyiv) and Ivan Orlov (Dnipro) attend a training seminar in Kecskemet (Hungary). The main purpose of the trip is a familiarization with the federation’s work and the training program of the Hungarian Wingchun Kungfu Federation.
During whole April, G. Kuzmin is on a business trip in Moscow and continues to study Vinh Xuan Pai in the Huynh Ngoc An’s school in Moscow. Huynh Ngoc An conducted classes in the gym of a vocational school No. 172 (2nd floor). The gym was located at Aviamotornaya str. 36, near the metro station Aviamotornaya.
A trip to Cambodia. Several visits to Phnom Penh's Khmer Boxing schools. Khmer boxing is very similar to Thai boxing, the difference is in some nuances. A visit to Tonle Sap Lake, to the north of which Angkor Wat is located. The week passed in the acquaintance with the Angkor Wat, Khmer life and culture. Visits to the Buddhist monasteries of the Theravada School.
A flight from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City. At the time of Te Cong, Ho Chi Minh City was called Saigon and was the capital of South Vietnam. In Ho Chi Minh City, with great difficulty, G. Kuzmin manages to get into a Wingchun Kungfu School.
A flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, where the Vinh Xuan NoiGia Pai (Wingchun Kungfu) training continued under the guidance of teachers Hoang Vinh Giang, Nguyen Xuan Thi and instructor Toan. This is master Trần Thúc Tiễn’s (a student of Nguyễn Tế-Công) direction of the Vietnamese Wingchun.
At the end of June – the beginning of July (a period of transferring Hong Kong from the UK to China) - training in Hong Kong with teacher Chu Shong-tin.
September 10, 1997, in Milan (Italy), Ennio Falsoni as the president of the WAKO (World Association of Kickboxing Organizations), considering how much time Georgii Kuzmin spends in Asia, appoints him as the WAKO representative in Asia. September 30, 1997, Georgii Kuzmin becomes the representative of the WKA (World Kickboxing Federation) in Ukraine. WKA is a professional kickboxing organization engaged in organizing and conducting fights among professional kickboxers.
1998
On January 17, 1998, by the decision of the Constituent Conference, the “Kyiv Wingchun kungfu / Jeetkunedo Federation” was established.
31 March 1998, the “Kyiv Federation of Wingchun kungfu / Jeetkunedo” was officially registered (registration number 0051-98 G.O.) which was the first step in the official development of the Wingchun Kungfu system in Ukraine.
June 15-19, G. Kuzmin attends a training workshop in Chorley (Chorley is a market town in Lancashire, in North West England), held by world-renowned experts of Wingchun Kungfu style - Nick Smart and Milan Prosenica.
In July, by invitation of the president of the “Kyiv Wingchun kungfu / Jeetkunedo Federation”, G. Kuzmin, teacher Giang (Professor Hoang Vinh Giang) arrives in Kyiv and stays in G. Kuzmin’s home. Teacher Giang personally trains Andrii and Georgii Kuzmin. Everyone reminisces about the 17 years old stories. Giang visits dear to his heart places in Kyiv.
In August, G. Kuzmin attends a training workshop held by teacher Huynh Ngoc An in Odessa.
After the workshop in Odessa ended, teacher An, by the invitation of G. Kuzmin, arrives in Kyiv. He makes a clarification and refinement in the intricacies of the techniques, demonstrates them. For Kuzmin Andrii and Georgii, all of this is an interesting material.
Technical actions are being filmed and photographed, the most important places are explained and written down.
Huynh Ngoc An visiting the Kuzmin family. In addition, there was a visit to the specialized gym of the “Kyiv Wingchun kungfu / Jeetkunedo Federation”, where a number of training were held.
On August 19, 1998, by the decision of the Founding Conference, the “Ukrainian Wingchun kungfu / Jeetkunedo Federation” was created (nonetheless, the Federation will be registered by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine on January 26, 1999, despite all the obstacles created by government officials). It was a precedent for all countries of the former USSR. Before that, there was no official organization developing the Wingchun system within the whole state. A similar organization in Russia appeared only four years later (April 16, 2002).
In November, G. Kuzmin came to Taiwan, where he became acquainted with the techniques and training methods of the local Wingchun Kungfu system school led by master Lo Man Kam (nephew of master Ip Man, author of the book " Police Kung Fu: The Personal Combat Handbook of the Taiwan National Police"). Lo Man Kam is a famous master of the Wingchun Kungfu, a hand-to-hand combat instructor of special forces in Taiwan.
Return to Kyiv through Hong Kong. Training with Chu Shong-tin.
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