European Wing Tsun vs Hong Kong Wing Tsun

The following article represents a further enhancement of its initial English translation, achieved with the assistance of AI.

Brett Slansky - May 4th, 2015

What follows is the English translation of an article I originally wrote in Czech just the other day. The initial Czech version generated a lot of interest, leading to many requests for an English translation. In particular, my Sifu, Chris Collins, asked for it specifically so he could read it. Given the number of my English-speaking friends in Prague and around the globe, I wanted to share it with them as well. I hope you find it an enjoyable read.

The question of how European Wing Tsun schools differ from their Hong Kong counterparts is one I've come to appreciate deeply. Despite being open for only a few months, our innovative teaching model has drawn considerable enthusiasm for the Chinese martial art of Wing Tsun (Wing Chun) Kuen. It's been remarkable to see even long-time practitioners discover our approach, often noting a stark contrast in training methodology and fighting philosophy compared to what they experienced in Europe.

While numerous factors could explain these variations, I find little value in discussing the political agendas that unfortunately permeate some European schools. My focus lies elsewhere. Having grown disillusioned with the organizational frameworks of European and American Wing Tsun – with their focus on membership fees and examinations – I've made the deliberate choice to train directly in Hong Kong under the guidance of Sifu Chris Collins, a distinguished former US Marine and a direct student of Grandmaster Leung Ting and Master Cheng Chuen Fun.

My martial arts journey began at the age of six, a common starting point for many in my generation who explored the foundational disciplines of Kodokan Judo, Shotokan Karate, and Aikido – a path I also followed. Later, I delved into the powerful techniques of traditional Southern Hung Gar. Around the age of eleven, my path took an intriguing turn when I encountered an article by Sifu Ivan Rzounek in Warrior magazine, introducing me to the captivating Chinese martial art of Wing Tsun Kung Fu.

Rzounek's article detailed his training within the European Wing Tsun Organization (EWTO) under Keith R. Kernspecht, the pioneering German who first brought Grandmaster Leung Ting to Europe for a seminar in 1976. This glimpse into Wing Tsun ignited a strong desire within me to find a way to train in this unique art.

In those early days, Wing Tsun schools were scarce. However, around fifteen, I finally found my first instructor through a flyer in Decin, posted by my initial Si-hing, Jindra Kopecky. I eagerly began training under his guidance, dedicating three hours every Tuesday in Decin and another three hours every Thursday in Ústí nad Labem. My passion soon led me to spend entire weekends in Varnsdorf, immersing myself in approximately twelve hours of training with my Si-hing and fellow students.

This was a period of deep affection for Wing Tsun and the EWTO, a time when the training still adhered to traditional methods. This landscape shifted noticeably around 1999. I vividly recall a seminar with Sifu Oliver Koenig where he introduced Wing Tsun instructors to "new programs" that Grandmaster Kernspecht had adopted from a British bouncer and bodyguard, dubbing this approach "Blitz-Defence."

This deviation did not resonate with me, prompting me to explore alternative paths. My thoughts began to turn towards the United States, where I hoped to train under Sifu Emin Boztepe. This Wing Tsun Master had a reputation as a formidable fighter who, I believed, possessed a deep understanding of the art's principles without incorporating supplementary programs like his European counterpart.

Finally, in 2001, I made the journey to the USA to train with Sifu Emin Boztepe. Strangely, I even sought permission from Sifu Oliver Koenig for this endeavor, which he granted. My initial encounter with Sifu Emin was surprising; he was physically larger and stronger than I had imagined, yet he was remarkably friendly. I still cherish memories of the social gatherings we attended. The training itself was also significantly more explosive than what I had experienced in Europe. Emin's aggressive approach helped me cultivate greater confidence and power in my Wing Tsun techniques.

However, my progress with Sifu Emin became a source of frustration. Despite consistent training, I never seemed to gain any type of small advantage against him, and specific guidance on improvement was absent. The recurring feedback was simply: "Brett, you’re like a robot, relax!"

Everything changed with the introduction of Sifu Chris Collins from Hong Kong into my awareness. Around the summer of 2012, a YouTube video posted by Sifu Patrik Gavelin from Sweden captured my attention. It featured their direct training in Hong Kong with Master Chris Collins. The content was compelling enough for me to contact Patrik immediately via Facebook.

Our subsequent exchange revealed a shared journey. Patrik had invested years in the EWTO under K. Kernspecht, earning a Practician Grade, and had also trained privately with his Si-hing, Emin Boztepe, for thirteen years. Discovering someone who resonated with my own frustrations was a significant moment. We had a deep understanding of each other's experiences.

Patrik's insights into Sifu Chris were particularly surprising. A high-ranking EWTO Master choosing to discard over thirty years of training to learn from someone with approximately fifteen years of Wing Tsun experience was unexpected. It highlighted a rare humility and dedication to truth over ego. Many instructors, despite knowing their teachings are flawed, would be unwilling to relinquish their established status. This revelation filled me with anticipation, the feeling that someone had finally recognized and embraced the unadulterated principles of Leung Ting Wing Tsun.

There seems to be a prevailing tendency among many European Wing Tsun masters to prioritize a different set of values. The urge to compete with other schools and incorporate contemporary "in vogue" techniques appears strong, perhaps as a strategy for long-term student retention. However, this approach risks diluting the very essence of Wing Tsun. When the fundamental principles are compromised, what remains is no longer authentic Wing Tsun, but a distinct and separate entity.

My connection to Hong Kong Wing Tsun began after a period of careful consideration. A Facebook post revealed that two of my former, younger Kung Fu brothers, Jiri Drnec and Zdeněk Kobrle, were training directly with Master Collins there. I immediately reached out to Zdeněk, who instructs in Prague and other Czech cities. This contact marked the most significant turning point in my Wing Tsun journey.

Zdeněk's willingness to share was transformative. He illuminated Wing Tsun details that had been entirely absent from my previous instruction. This initial exposure left me with an intense hunger for deeper understanding. However, Zdeněk was clear: genuine proficiency in Wing Tsun required firsthand training in Hong Kong. Continuing my current path, he explained, would only reinforce incorrect learning and teaching.

Fortuitously, Zdeněk had already planned a seminar with Sifu Chris in Prague for late November 2013. Missing this event was unthinkable. It represented a unique and potentially unrepeatable chance to connect with the source.

 My initial encounter with Sifu Chris Collins left an indelible mark on me, resonating deeply on multiple levels.

From the moment we were introduced, his genuine warmth was palpable. It was immediately evident that Wing Tsun wasn't just a practice for him; it was a profound passion. His openhearted willingness to share the beauty of this martial art – a quality I had sought in vain from past instructors – felt like a long-awaited dream realized.

His teaching style stood in stark contrast to the familiar "European" seminar structure of two-hour sessions punctuated by lengthy lunch breaks. Instead, he embodied the "Hong Kong" model: a continuous flow of instruction, unburdened by rigid schedules. He simply taught until the last student remained, often well into the late hours. I couldn't help but chuckle when some participants, anxious about missing the last bus home, implored me to ask Sifu Collins about breaks or the seminar's end time. His response? Direct and unwavering: no pauses; those needing to leave were free to do so. For those who stayed, there was always more to learn.

In those intense hours, I grasped the true essence of a master's dedication to their students. I also confronted a startling reality: for eighteen years, I had been practicing something that merely resembled Wing Tsun in its techniques, but lacked its fundamental core. As an instructor trained under numerous leading "European Masters," I had held a degree of confidence in my abilities. Now, I understood unequivocally that my knowledge was rudimentary at best.

Sparring with Sifu Chris in free Chi Sau (Guo Sau) was a humbling experience. My movements were stiff and unresponsive, my reflexes nonexistent. All I felt was mounting fatigue, breathlessness, and utter exhaustion, while Sifu Chris remained composed, effortlessly controlling me with a single hand, even while casually chewing gum. I felt like a complete novice. How could this be after nearly two decades of Wing Tsun training?

For years, the narrative in Europe had been that European Wing Tsun had evolved and surpassed its Hong Kong origins. Yet, here was undeniable proof of the depth and efficacy of authentic Hong Kong Wing Tsun. It became clear that mastery wasn't solely about years of practice, but about the intensity and dedication poured into each training hour – a maxim I had first heard from Sifu Emin Boztepe, but now truly understood.

The impact was immediate. The very next week, fueled by this revelation, I flew to Sweden for four more days of intensive training with Sifu Chris. There, I had the pleasure of meeting Patrik Gavelin in person, a truly rewarding encounter. The presence of Jirka and Zdeněk also filled me with optimism, knowing that the standard of Wing Tsun in the Czech Republic was on the cusp of significant improvement.

It's not a matter of European Wing Tsun being "better" than the Chinese; they are fundamentally different in their approach.

The European model often trains specific scenarios and technique combinations, while Hong Kong Wing Tsun cultivates adaptable reflexes based on core principles, allowing for spontaneous responses to any situation.

European training involves a broader range of techniques and scenarios, leading to a longer and more complex learning curve. Hong Kong Wing Tsun focuses on simpler, more quickly ingrained natural reflexes, though this simplicity can be difficult for Europeans to grasp.

Furthermore, European training often emphasizes force and energy expenditure, whereas Hong Kong Wing Tsun prioritizes borrowing the opponent's power with minimal effort.

These key differences, among others, have become clear to me after eighteen years of training under European Wing Tsun instructors, providing me with a solid basis for comparison.

This is my undeniable truth, and no one can refute it: Sifu Chris began his Wing Tsun journey in 1996, the very same year I started. Unlike my previous instructors who had more years of practice than me, the difference with Sifu Chris isn't about longevity of training. His advantage lies in his exclusive training in Hong Kong under the direct tutelage of Grandmaster Leung Ting and Master Cheng Chuen Fun. My training, in contrast, was solely under European instructors like Oliver Koenig and Emin Boztepe.

If the European teaching model truly held a superior advantage, then logically, I should be more proficient than Sifu Chris. However, the reality is the opposite. This stark contrast has been a crucial eye-opener for me.

The future of our Wing Tsun Kung Fu school in Prague is now firmly rooted in the authentic teachings passed down by Grandmaster Leung Ting, thanks to Sifu Chris Collins accepting me as his student. We are embracing a pure Hong Kong methodology, where the focus shifts from structured programs and arbitrary degrees to a deep comprehension of Wing Tsun's core ideas and principles.

Our students will no longer be compelled to chase grades and exams as a prerequisite for continued learning. Instead, they will be encouraged to train according to their dedication, understanding that true progress is determined by the cumulative hours of committed practice, not simply years of enrollment. Consequently, we will offer unlimited weekly training hours.

Our ongoing journey will involve regular trips to Hong Kong to learn directly from the source, maintaining an unbroken connection to the lineage of Yip Man – Leung Ting – Cheng Chuen Fun – Chris Collins.

We are committed to teaching this art without any self-proclaimed enhancements or deviations. If it has proven effective for its originators, who share our basic human physiology, we trust in its inherent efficacy for our students as well. Our philosophy is to provide a pure transmission of the art, allowing each student to develop their own understanding and application based on genuine learning.