Kungu Fu: Keep fit, learn self-defense techniques

HEALTH & FITNESS 

Wu Shu/Kung Fu is a sport that has been here in Uganda since 2012 although some people have been watching it on television before that.

In spite of its televised fame in movies, the sport has not taken root in the nation.

Eddy Gombya the chairperson of the Uganda Wu Shu Association and a member of International Wushu Federation says the spread of the sports is slow because most of Ugandans do not know its importance and existence.

Ivan Wong Sennyondo the Chief instructor at Country Wing Chinese KungFu School says Ugandans don't understand the sport because it is very foreign.

"It is a foreign sport and people do not understand it," he says.

Children are quick to learn new things, but even among them the sport is not wildly celebrated. Unfortunately, some parents associate the sport to danger.

"Parents fear their children will engage in fights and harm others once they learn the sport," Sennyondo intimates.  

However, Sennyondo says that Wushu is a discipline, the more you learn it, the more you are protective of others.

Importance of Wushu

Sennyondo reveals that when you learn Wu Shu you can become a fitness instructor like him. 

"Due to the skills I got while training from Tian in Shaolin temple, China and my 15-year-old experience, I am able to train others," he says.

Besides that, Gombya says the people who enroll in the sport get opportunities to travel to other nations.

"Last year, the Wu Shu Team Uganda showcased her skills at the conference in China when President Museveni was there," he says.

Not only that, the players are able to participate in the sports tornaments abroad.

Gombya says Uganda players have travelled to Rwanda and Turkey for competitions and that was a good experience. They are also planning to participate in the upcoming Olympic Games in 2021 in Japan.

Do you want a total body work out? Sennyondo says Wushu can give you all that.  With all the different movements and activities the body undergoes through training, one is able to stay fit.

"If you want to cut on the size of your stomach, Kung Fu can help in removing the potbelly," he says.

In case you want to become a professional Kung Fu player, not only can you win medals in Asia, Europe and Africa, but other nations can buy you because of your performance.

"Just like football," Gombya reveals, "for those exceptional players when they play in other nations, others coaches get to see them and they purchase them for their teams."

If you are security conscious, Wu Shu is the sport you should learn. 

With the kind of training you have, there is no way you can be over powered by attackers since they will find you already equipped.

"Self-defense requires that your body is fit both inside and out," he explains.

"This requires fitness if you are not, then you cannot beat your opponent."

Effects of the pandemic on the sport

Even though at this time the players are supposed to be training for tournaments, it is impossible.

Sennyondo says they were supposed to have tournaments outside Uganda like the one in Portugal andTokyo, Japan but they were postponed because of the pandemic.

Wushu/KungFu

Wushu is a Chinese sport, which means martial arts. In short ‘Wu' means martial while ‘Shu' art.

Gombya says it is a game of swords, kickboxing, sander style, and alimentary steps. It also uses the body as a tool to be able to fight off enemies.

In Uganda, the sport is spread in the surbubs of Kampala like Bweyogere, Bwaise, Zzana, Kamokya, and Katooke.

Gombya says they hope to take it to other parts in future when they have more resources and sponsorship. 

 "Our players do not have any allowances," he says, "so they struggle to keep in the sport." 

Who joins the sport?

Gombya says all people are welcome to join the sport. For older ones they enroll from 18 years to 65 years while children start from four to 18 years.

Gombya advises parents to enlist their children in the sport so that they gain exposure and also be fit.