Versión en Español
Geilenkirchen, October 11, 2009
Sifu Heinz-Joseph Flecken is currently heading the IATWC (International Association of Traditional Wing Chun) and the headquarters of the association in Germany.
How long have you been practicing martial arts, and what made you choose Wing Chun as your style?
I was 5 when I started. Wing Chun is very easy to learn. It is not like other martial arts that you have to have a special talent or physical condition to do it. Everyone can learn Wing Chun.
When you began learning Wing Chun, how quickly did you progress?
At first very slowly, especially the first 2 months. I think I began learning and progressing well after 2 years of practice. At that moment, I spent 4 hours a day training. Before that, I just spent 1 hour per day.
How do you keep up your Wing Chun proficiency?
Practice. Keep practicing every day is the secret.
How is it training with Yip Ching?
Different. Hard to say. When doing chi sao with him, the moment you touch him you have the feeling that you can't do anything. He has so much knowledge. In my opinion, nobody has reached that level. There are good martial artists out there, but not at that level.
Do you have a favorite technique?
No. Because if I had one, I would limit myself.
Have you ever been involved in real fights?
Yes, in my youth. I had some fights on the streets, but never in competitions.
Did you always win?
No. Not always. There is always someone better.
What makes Wing Chun such an effective system?
In my opinion, one of the key factors is the simultaneous defense and counter-attack. Everything goes real fast.
Do you think Wing Chun is more effective than other styles?
No. It is never the style. It is always the person.
Is Wing Chun something that everybody can learn?
Yes. There are no limitations to anyone who wants to learn this style.
What do you think are the benefits of Wing Chun training?
Each person gets his own benefits. Some people like the physical aspect of the training, some benefit for the specific job, others because they are participating in a completely different activity/hobby, etc.
Why are there no competitions in Wing Chun? Do you think it should be a competitive sport?
I think there are competitions in the UK. However, the techniques have to be limited , and that takes away from practicing the system. In my opinion, it should not be a competitive sport. It is self defense, not something that can be applied in competitions.
When you first start learning Wing Chun, it doesn´t seem to be useful for fighting? Why?
That could happen in the basics levels, because the techniques have to be learned. If you fight at those levels, the techniques would not be used, and it would not be proper Wing Chun. Once you achieve a higher level of proficiency, you learn the proper way of applying the techniques to confidently defend yourself.
In your opinion, who is the current authority in Wing Chun?
In my opinion, Yip Ching. I trained with many people. Some highly trained sifus taught me some things, but when I met Ip Ching, he completely changed my concept of Wing Chun. He proved to me that the Wing Chun I knew was just the basics. That happened over 8 years ago.
When and why did your decide to create your own association?
In 1995 I had to make a decision. Either to stop teaching, or teach the style for the maximum benefit of my students. That is when I decided to create my own association.
Back in 1996, why did you change from European Association of Wing Chun (EAWC) to International Association of Traditional Wing Chun (IATWC) in the same year?
I initially had the idea to create the association just for Europe. That is why the association began with that name. I did not expect at that time that one of my students (Charles), would open a school in California. That fact made us change our idea about the association, and forced us to change from European to International. Everything was initially prepared for the European association, and in 2 months we had to change everything.
Why is your school so successful?
I do not know. Is it successful?. If you think it is, it is probably because nobody takes it too seriously. It is like a big family.
Do you think your personality has something to do with it? No. I don't think so. I think it is the people that make up the family. The instructors and students.
Why "Traditional” Wing Chun?
Because it is the only thing I learned. Wing Chun can be taught in many different ways but if you want to teach everything, it has to be traditional. If not, it will not be complete.
Is there any difference from the way you were taught and the way you teach?
I think there is. The difference is that I was taught without a syllabus, and I teach with a syllabus. My teacher did not have his own association. I need to make sure that every student worldwide learn the same way. However, I teach the techniques in the same way they were taught to me.
Your style of teaching seems to avoid the aggressiveness and violent confrontations. Why?
One part is the people that start with Wing Chun. You have to bring them to that point. During a class, a student can't learn if he or she is scared or tense. The student has to be open-minded, confident of what he or she is doing, otherwise he will never be able to properly execute the techniques. The important point is: do we need to fight?. Most of the times, fights can be avoided just by using your brain.
Is every student in your organization treated equally?
Yes, no doubt about it.
Have you, or any student of yours, ever been seriously injured while practicing?
No. I have never been seriously injured. None of my students have ever been seriously injured either. Bruises and similar minor injuries, but no serious ones.
What part of the training do you consider more important?
All parts of the training are equally important.
Interviewer:
J.I.Pérez.
Instructor “D”
IATWC.
