WEKAF European Stickfighting Championships - Warsaw, Poland, July 2011 - More CFS Success

A Big Congrats to CFS Associate Instructor Carl Jackson(a personal student of mine for over 10 years and one of only 4 people awarded the rank of Guro by me in the Filipino Martial arts FMA).

He Travelled to Poland in July for the 9th WEKAF European Stickfighting Championships where after solid performances, he secured Silver in Adult Welterweight division (single stick), Bronze in the double stick and Silver in the team event!!

The team event is open weight with 5 fighters from each country selected to fight one round each of non-stop carnage. The UK team beat Hungary and Germany losing only to Italy.

I understand there was a great showing from the UK team with a large presence from the 'Strike Team', now led by Damien Mills but taught by the fallen warrior, World, European & British Champion Guro Roger Barnes (deceased)

Great job guys :)

Carl Jackson - British Stickfighting Champion - Nov 2010

Congrats to the 'CFS' Fight team - 6th & 7th November 2010

This weekend gone was a good one for CFS.

First of all, Guro Carl Jackson, the defending British Stickfighting Champion fought again in the British championships, but this time in the veterans division which is much harder as the fighters are exactly just that...veterans and seasoned champions.

Carl took Gold in the Double stick division and Silver in the Single stick division, which in fact was a repeat of his success last year. Very well done adding to his earlier success in the Mexico World championships earlier this year.

There was also success at the English BJJ Open which took place at Dartford over both days with fights at all belts. The competition was very well attended and very well run as usual. Congrats to the principal organisers Blackbelts Dickie Martin & Simon Hayes.

White belts Jesus Lopez Lara & Darren Owen took their first steps in competitive BJJ. Darren fought first facing a tough opponent who mangaged to pass his guard which was later replaced and then just missed completing a very close armbar. He then fought in the repercharge where he also lost to a memeber of our sister team at mill hill bjj, but tried hard.

Jesus had a very tough first fight and got kicked in the mouth whilst passing guard. He secure an advantage for an X choke attempt from guard but couldn't do much more thereafter as he popped his already injured rib in the fight. He won the fight but I wihdrew him from fighting further due to injury.

Next up was my old training partner Andrew Nugent who although a Brown Belt, was making his first step into the competitive BJJ arena. He fought veteran BJJ player Austin Gardner also from the Checkmat team. It was sad for me to see 2 people I know well to have to fight but fortunately for them they did not know each other. Big props to Austin who normally fights at under 76kg for taking on Andy who weighed in with the gi as a 'light' Middleweight at 79kg. It was a close fight with Austin locking onto Andy's ankle but Andy managed to tough it out and dominated mostly from the top after an excellent footsweep. Congrats to English Champion, Andy Nugent!!

As always it was good to see so many friends at the tourney with Blackbelts galore present.....my how times have changed. I can't count how many were there but even allowing for the 4 that fought in the superfights, in no particular order I saw:

Jude Samuel
Edwardo Azevedo
Marco Canha
Luiz ' Manxhina' Ribeiro
Neto
Dickie Martin
Simon Hayes
Nilton Garcia
Jackson Fortunato
Felipe Souza
Arlans Siqueira
Luiz Tosta
Nick Brooks
Marc Walder
Eamon Madden
Ivam Marciel
Marcus Nardini

My apologies if I missed anyone out because I forgot or didn't know them.

What was also good was that whilst there were a number of different gis out there on the mat, Tatami fightwear gis seemed to be everywhere! Clearly the choice of champions :)

I want to send out a big thank you to all the guys who put it on the line this weekend, as whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Intelligent Combat

Tony Ligorio - Second Full Instructor under Master Bob Breen - 26.9.10

This weekend, my teacher Guro Bob Breen held another of his infamous 2 day Instructor camps in London. As usual it was well attended with locals as well as students from Germany and Italy. One of those students was Tony Ligorio, who is the official representative of Guro Bob in Italy and has been his student for nearly 20 years.

On the second day of the camp, he was formally promoted by Guro to the rank of FULL INSTRUCTOR making him only the second person to receive that honour.

It is a fantastic achievement and if Tony felt anything like I did when I was promoted in March 2008, I can say it's a feeling that cannot easily be described.

Tony is a dedicated family man and martial artist. I have trained and sparred with him countless times over the years both here and Italy. He is very humble and unassuming but many people get a real shock when he turns it on as he really knows his stuff in practice as well as in theory. I have been on the recieving end of a few of his right hooks over the years.

Tony is a long standing and very accomplished martial artist. Below is a summary of some of his achievements but certainly not all:

*Full Instructor - Guro Bob Breen

* Black Belt - Took the infamous test and passed - Guro Bob Breen

*Coach Level 1- CSW under Sensie Erik Paulson

*World Stickfighting Champion - 1998

*2 x European shoot boxe champion

*7 x Italian Kung fu champion

*Tai chi Instructor

*Kicboxing & MMA record of 81 fights with 73 wins

*Owner and operator of one of the largest schools in Italy

*has written books on Shoot Fighting

Once again - Congrats my friend

www.tonyligorio.it

New Interview @ Kombatclinic.com - 17.8.10

Hi Guys,

I was interviewed earlier this month by none other than Carl Fisher aka the fighting photographer and that issue can now be found on line in this well known UK based on line magazine.

I hope you enjoy it


http://kombatclinic.com/2010/08/david-onuma-interview/

World Stickfighting Championships Mexico 2010 - Silver Medal

I would like to offer my congratulations to CFS and Bob Breen academy Blackbelt Carl Jackson for his Silver medal in the single stick section of the WEKAF World Championships in Mexico this weekend gone. We were of course aiming for the Gold but his achievement was nothing short of excellent and we are all proud of him.

Photos when they become available

CFS Training - July 2010

A couple of vids showing some of the empty hands and weaponry training - Good Work!

CFS Sensitivity Training - 19.3.10

In this video, Corey and Jesus are training sensitivity material for speed and co-ordination. They did it very well plus had a lot of fun so I thought I would share. Enjoy ;)

Roger Barnes Memorial FMA Seminar - 14.3.10

Hi Guys.

On Sunday 14th March, in Honour of Guro Roger Barnes, as FMA seminar was held at the Bob Breen Academy to mark the first year of his passing. It was taught by Master Instructor Guro Bob Breen, Grandmaster John Harvey of Rapid Arnis and myself. There was a good turnout with close to 35 people and all the proceeds went to the Barnes family who also attended.

In the first video clip below, Guro Bob and I play whilst I attack and he defends.

In this second video, Guro has his revenge as we switch roles:)

Here Guro teaches some 'third hand' principles with the stick

Bob Breen Academy - 26.1.10

Hey Guys

This video summarizes the techniques and details we last covered in class. It really is self explanatory. You guys are doing really well :)

Bob Breen Academy - 12.1.10

Hey Guys!



Sorry for the late post regarding last weeks class but I've been a busy man!

Anyway, last week, we started training with the stick and knife, commonly referred to as Espada Y Daga. It's correct term is Baston Y Daga as we were using a stick as opposed to the sword.

Espada Y Daga is often seen as the true test of the skill level of an Escrimador or Filipino maartial artist because of the skill required using these weapons which are both long and short, and require a deep understanding of footwork, zoning and fighting multiple opponents.

The video below summarises the techniques we covered in class, but in short we did the following:-

1. angles 1 & 2 with the stick only

2. 3 strikes then the feeder attacks with the knife which is countered using the correct angle

3. 2 strikes then the feeder attacks with the knife which is countered using the correct angle

4. Inside sweep basic

5. Inside sweep to uppercut on the knife

6. Inside sweep to uppercut on the knife followed by angle 1 strike


Enjoy

CFS/Hert Martial Arts - Free Xmas Camp - 6.12.09

A great group of guys training earlier today at the HMA annual Xmas camp. Instructor Gary Hoptroff does this every year for his guys with no charge. This year as my way to say thanks, I joined in and taught a few bits and pieces.

Thanks to everyone including Corey, Carl G and Jesus who came along too.







In the clips below, I was teaching a mix of Wing Chun, FMA and JKD concepts agains the jab and cross, looking at angles, posture and positioning















Like everthing learned in life, these tehniques and drills need to be put into perspective, because everything works in the right situation.

Hope you enjoy them!

CFS Promotions

First of all I wish to offer congratulations to CFS Instructor Gary Hoptroff of Herts Martial Arts who has succesfully completed his Apprentice Instructor level 2 and is now an Apprentice Instructor level 3 (year 1) in the Jun Fan Arts and also the Filipino Martial Arts (which are certified completely separately).

Gary is an excellent student, and his progress has been noticeable over time. This can also be seen via the development of his own students. Gary is also an Instructor under Sifu Rick Faye and a representative of the Minesota Kali group.

Secondly I offer congratulations to Carl Greenidge who I promoted yesterday to Trainee Instructor in both the Jun Fan Arts and the Filipino Martial Arts. Carl is a very good martial artist with over 20 years of training under his belt. I first met him in the late 80s when training under Sifu Stan Brown in Lau Gar and WAKO kickboxing and we have been in touch ever since. I taught him some Wing Chun and introduced him to the Bob Breen Academy nearly 9 years ago. He also took and passed the infamous Academy Black Belt test. He now teaches at the Bob Breen Academy at 'The Space'.
Getting on to the CFS instructor program is not easy at any level and he joins the 10 other active Instructors.

For full details of the other instructors, please go to

http://www.davidonuma.com/home.php?sel=instructors&vsel=instructors

Congratulations

Bob Breen Academy - 17.11.09

OK Guys,

What a great turnout last night with close to 50 people training. Here is a review of what was covered.

Beginners

The complete 'newbies' covered open and closed Kob Kob, downwards half X and 3 count entry.
The others covered open Kob Kob to closed Kob and added in the rest of the basic package.

Intermediates

You covered 6,8,10 and 12 count. You then went on to the first stages of 3 count Sombrada with double stick by isolating roof block, inside sweep and then low wing. Next week, you will do the drill as a whole.

Advanced

You continued with the development of 5 count sombrada and using different methods of dealing with various angles but managing to maintain the flow of the drill. We did the following:

1. Angle 1 - block and stab (angle 5) - KDL method
2. Angle 1 - block and upwards strike to other hand - KDL method
3. Angle 1 - gunting and angle 2 strike - Lacoste
4. Angle 4 - simultaneous strike to hand and head (like Gaan sau) - KDL method
5. Angle 5 - as per angle 4
6. Angle 3 - as per angle 4/5 but in the opposite direction

The previous reports have the video material containing ALL the beginner and intermediate material so continue to refer to that. As for the advanced stuff, the material is not going to be available in video on this blog :)

Enjoy!!

Me stickfighting with Carl Jackson - 2008

Carl and I stick sparring at the Bob Breen Academy last year. Sorry about the poor quality but it was great fun. Carl has got a lot better since and picked up some national and international medals since....hmmm...I could be in trouble now.........maybe...... :)

Bob Breen Academy -10.11.09

Ok Guys, as promised last week, I managed to film the current material we are working on to help supplement your training. This week I am helped out by Guro Bob Breen Black belts Carl Jackson and Carl Greenidge.

The first video below covers the basic double stick package

The second video below covers the intermediate material as described last week, 6 count, 8 count, 10 count and 12 count from the Lacoste system.

This video covered the 5 count sombrada with the double stick. We also looked at how to isolate one of the angle with a simultaneous block and attack, but still manage to flow within the drill

The group gets stronger and better!!!

British Stickfighting Champion Carl Jackson - 8.11.09

Congratulations to Carl Jackson who fought in the WEKAF British stickfighting championships on 8.11.09. Fresh from his recent Silver medal success in both Single and Double stick in the European Championships, this weekend, he took GOLD in the double stick and Silver in the single stick.

Great effort from the CFS and BBA Instructor

Bob Breen Academy - 3.11.09

Hi Guys.

This week, we switched from single stick to the double stick emphasis. Due to a technical hitch I will sort out the video probably next week.

For the beginners, the basic double stick program (which I suggest you print out) is:

1. Open Kob Kob
2. Closed Kob Kob
3. Open to closed Kob Kob
4. Downwards X (angles 1 & 2)
5. 3 count entry (high forehand, low backhand, high backhand)
6. Combination of 1-5 in any order

For the intermediates, the basics are:

1. Lacoste 6 count - heaven 6
2. Lacoste 8 count - high, low, back hand, back hand
3. Lacoste 10 count - 1st 2 strikes from open Kob Kob into heaven 3
4. Lacoste 12 count - 1st 2 strikes from open Kob Kob into angle 1/high abenico (same stick), followed by double backhand (alternative sticks)

Please remember your stance and posture and to keep your hands back between each strike to avoid losing the use of your hand!!

For the Black Belts we covered:

1. Nos 1-4 as per the intermediates
2. Villabrille 8 count
3. Gunting series using the following feeding patterns - Right hand, left hand, alternate hands
4. 5 count sombrada - basic and then using 'lin sil dar' type approach when being fed with various strikes

Train hard & Enjoy

Happy 60th Birthday Guro Bob Breen

On Friday 30th October, my principal martial arts instructor since 1996, Guro Bob Breen , turned 60 years of age. A fantastic milestone by anyone's standards. Life is something to be cherished and never taken for granted.

His life so far has been once of achievement. His reputation and skill is legendary and he is the main reason that Guro Dan Inosanto is well known in the UK as he was the first person to bring Guro Dan to these shores close to 30 years ago.

If people really knew how far his 'hands' have spread in the UK Martial arts community in particular, they would be surprised. Many Filipino and JKD style martial artists who are now well known were at some point trained by Guro Bob or can at least trace their roots back to his lineage. Whilst you may not hear alot about it, those that know, are aware of his influence on the grappling and MMA scene. For example, in the late eighties and early nineties, he brought over people like Marc Mcfann, Larry Hartsell and then went on to bring John Machado and MMA supremo Sensei Erik Paulson. It was only health issues that limited his own personal grappling growth but that never stopped him hitting the mats.

Even when I took my Black belt under him in 1997, grappling was part of the syllabus and the extremely hard test.

Above is a picture taken of Guro and I in spain in 2000. Guro had gone to teach a seminar for Justo Diegez of KFM. I was fortunate to travel with him as his assistant. We were by the pool and engaged in some no armour padded stick fighting before lunch. It was an experience I will never forget and I confess it took my stick fighting to another level. Quite simply, using his skill, timing and accuracy, he beat my hands to death in such a way that quite apart from no longer being able to hold the stick any more, my hands were so swollen that I had to be fed my lunch as I could not eat myself.

I take this opportunity to wish Guro Breen all my best and thank him for the time he has invested in me.

Happy Birthday Guro!!!

Bob Breen Academy - 27.10.09

Hey Guys

This week we covered the last section for the moment on close range single stick training. There are 2 videos below. The first covers the techniques I taught the main class today whilst the second video covers the techniques I taught the Black Belts

In the main class we concentrated on locks and takedowns with the stick:

1. From the angle one strike with the punio, roll your left arm and underhook their stick arm. Simultaneously you use your stick to attack the eye and then rest your stick on their straight arm bring them to the floor. From there, knee their deltoid with you left leg then use your straight leg to spin their body around

2. From the angle one strike, you cover it in the normal way. You then conduct the lifting movement and move their stick arm to the right side of your body. You then use your left forearm to extend their arm and put them on the floor. Pin them on the floor with your knee

3. As per no 2 but instead you set up the armpit take down with the punch to the head (see video)

4. Here, you set up the V arm lock using your stick. As you pull them into you, you are able to choke them, take them down or use the lever motion to crank them to the floor




Black Belts


In this section we concentrated on timing and how to 'beat' their angle 1 strike with a 4 count counter strike sequence. We also did a similar thing to the angle 2/ backhand strike whereby we countered the strike with your stick, stab them in the stomach and move to the vine disarm.

This needs to be drilled alone and within Hubud to get the timing.

Enjoy guys!