A WING Chun kung fu masterclass recently held in The Hague, the Netherlands, attracted more than a dozen martial arts enthusiasts. Some of them have developed a passion for this form of Chinese kung fu since decades ago. Erik Batstra, head instructor at the Wing-Chun Kung-Fu Association of the Netherlands, also attended the masterclass. On the sidelines of the event, he said that he began practicing Wing Chun when he was 18 years old. “When I came in contact with Wing Chun, it became my life’s passion,” Batstra said. Since 1981, the Dutch martial artist dedicated himself to the study of Wing Chun, a kung-fu martial art characterized by close-quarters hand-to-hand combat, rapid-fire punches, and efficiency. The Dutch association founded in 1974 primarily studies the Wong Shun-Leung lineage of Wing Chun, which favors efficiency and directness. Wing Chun is on the list of China’s national intangible cultural heritage. Attendees of the recent masterclass came to learn from Zheng Zujie, a Chinese grand master of Wing Chun. Zheng delved into the history and techniques of Wing Chun and elaborated on the Chinese philosophical and cultural principles underpinning the martial art. Zheng noted the genuine passion for Wing Chun among the Dutch practitioners. He said that his visit to the Netherlands aimed to foster close interactions with local Wing Chun practitioners. “They come from a wide range of ages, with some well into their 60s and 70s, yet all show a remarkable dedication to practicing Wing Chun, regardless of their age,” he said. The veteran martial artists also expressed hope for further exchanges to connect people and jointly promote Wing Chun, emphasizing its benefits for health, happiness, and personal development. Expressing his enthusiasm for the Wing Chun masterclass, Batstra said he is looking forward to going to China for further exchanges to do with this martial art. Sebastiaan Kas, 51, said he has been immersed in the art form since 2006. His journey into Wing Chun was inspired by his childhood fascination with martial arts films of the 80s and 90s, featuring icons like Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. “Wing Chun has become a part of my life that gives me mental and physical strength,” said Kas. The Dutch martial artist said the experience of practicing Wing Chun went beyond the physical movements. The respect for each other and the close brotherhood is an important aspect of this art for Wing Chun practitioners, who share knowledge and practice the art through various movements and lineages, he said. “You have brothers who train harder and work longer hours. Then boundaries are pushed, and you actually experience what the human body is capable of,” Kas said. This intense dedication, he believed, fuels the passion and love for Wing Chun. During the masterclass, Kas shared a personal dream. “For me, being able to go to the South Shaolin Temple in Fujian, China, the birthplace of Wing Chun, is like a dream for me. I’m really looking forward to going.” (Xinhua) | 