The exchange of martial arts schools at the Sixth International Festival of Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts – Binh Dinh 2016: Friendly connection and strong sublimation

Master of Thien Mon Dao Martial Arts School (Ha Noi) performed at the exchange. Photo: VAN LUU

1.

From the early morning, martial arts athletes from Le Xuan Canh Martial Arts School fully gathered to welcome 12 martial arts schools from provinces/cities of Vietnam. Three international martial arts schools also created good impression thanks to their performances. Athletes from Tieu Long Duong Martial Arts School (France) were greeted with applause for their performances called Pháp thần quyền, Thanh long độc kiếm and their countervailing performance.

Master Stephane Lesoil (45 years of age) – Head of Tieu Long Duong Martial Arts School said his martial arts school was established 17 years ago. He adored martial arts and used to learn Judo and Karate. He began to research Vietnamese traditional martial arts when he met a Vietnamese martial arts master in France. Then, he came to Vietnam and began to learn Vietnamese traditional martial arts from Master Ha Thi Yen Oanh (in Ho Chi Minh City). “As it is the first time to participate in Binh Dinh festival of traditional martial arts, he really had good impression on performances by other martial arts delegations,” said Master Stephane Lesoil.

Athletes of Tieu Long Duong Martial Arts School (France) created a good impression with their countervailing performance. The photo was taken at the exchange of Le Xuan Canh Martial Arts School. Photo: NGUYEN MUON 

2.

Phan Tho Martial Arts School often welcomes delegations in the framework of the international festivals of Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts. On the early morning of August 3, 2016 this martial arts school welcomed local people of different ages to wait for the exchange of 10 national and international martial arts schools.

National and international martial arts schools performed the uniqueness and quintessence of their sects. Especially, Van Lang Vo Dao School (Morocco) created good impression with their well-prepared performances. Mr. Dumama Bernoussi, an athlete from Van Lang Vo Dao said, “My father used to take me to practise Vietnamese traditional martial arts when I was five. When my mother saw my father and me practising, she also adored traditional martial arts. She has practised traditional martial arts for 5 years. My family was very happy when we came to Binh Dinh martial arts land and performed martial arts with other martial arts schools. Through the exchanges of martial arts, we really enjoyed and shared experience related to Binh Dinh traditional martial arts and other martial arts sects.”

A performance by Vietnam Sa Long Cuong School – Italy (Photo: NGUYEN VAN TRANG)

3.

Ngoc Son Monastery (Phuoc Son Commune, Tuy Phuoc District) was chosen for the exchange of martial arts between Phi Long Vinh School and 12 national and international martial arts schools.

Many athletes of martial arts schools attended the exchange, including Binh Thuan (32 people), Binh Thai Dao Binh Dinh (30 people), Binh Dinh Martial Arts Training Center for the homeless and handicapped in Ho Chi Minh (24 people), etc. However, some martial arts schools have only one person such as Minh Long Vo Dao (Morocco) and Minh Long Vo Dao (Portugal). Some participated the first time, some participated many times. All are enthusiastic and the atmosphere at the exchanges is very lively. Master Ruggero and Instructor Giorgio from Vietnam Sa Long Vinh Martial Arts School – Italy have participated 6 times, but they feel like “on the stage” as the first time.

The most attractive thing of exchanges between martial arts schools was the performance of young athletes. When Ho Cong Thanh (Binh Thuan) strongly performed “Chấp thủ” và “Huyền đô”, we didn’t believe he is only 11. Tram Anh (Binh Dinh Sa Long Cuong – Italy) was greeted by many audiences when she performed “Thần đồng”, etc.

However, the most remarkable thing at the exchanges is the performance by handicapped athletes from Binh Dinh Martial Arts Training Center for the homeless and handicapped in Ho Chi Minh City. These handicapped athletes tried their best to perform “Đoản đao”, “Độc mác phi long”, “Thuyết kiếm”, “Đoản phủ”, etc. Sitting on a wheelchair, Athlete Quang An successfully performed “Nhất quyền đao”. Athlete Nguyen Minh Phuc – a boy with fewer fingers than normal people strongly performed “Độc mác phi long” and “Đoản phủ” and these performance were greeted by many audiences.

4.

Long Phuoc Pagoda Martial Arts School (Phuoc Thuan Commune, Tuy Phuoc District) welcomed 14 national and international martial arts schools for exchanges and performances. These martial arts schools include Tinh Vo Dao - Russia, Hiep Hoi Quyen Thap (France), Viet Vo Dao (Italy), Viet Vo Dao (Portugal), Tay Son – Binh Dinh (Morocco), Thieu Lam Long Phi (The U.S), Thieu Lam Long Phi – Binh Duong, Tay Son Ngoc Diep, Ha Trong Ngu – Ho Chi Minh City, Thien Mon Dao (Ha Noi) and 4 martial arts schools in Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Hai Phong and Hung Yen.

The first performance was a whip performance from Long Phuoc Pagoda. Next, Thien Mon Dao (Ha Noi) was greeted by a lot of audiences with their special performances. These performances were so attractive; as a result, the exchange was so lively and cheerful.

Tay Son Ngoc Diep (Binh Duong Province) participated in 5 previous festivals and the sixth festival in 2016. It is easy to see that their martial arts school has been further developed. Athletes of Tay Son Ngoc Diep said that when participating in the festival, they feel like to gather their origin because their master Trong Dai has his hometown in Tuy Phuoc District, Binh Dinh Province. We are really proud to contribute to the preservation and development of Vietnamese traditional martial arts. The festival is an opportunity to meet, exchange and know more about other martial arts schools; at the same time, develop traditional martial arts of the nation. “If the festival is held, we continue to join” said Instructor Kim Son Tinh – 25 years of experience at Tay Son Ngoc Diep Martial Arts School.

The first time for Thanh So Martial Arts School

Though the area before the house was expanded to welcome audiences and local people, Thanh Son Martial Arts School (Phu My Town, Phu My District) was still “overcrowded” when this martial arts school was the first time used for the exchange between martial arts schools. The “lovely” overcrowding made the Head of Thanh So Martial Arts School so delighted.

Binh Dinh Gia (Ha Noi) with “ba chân hổ” demonstration. Photo: LE CUONG

National martial arts schools joining the exchange at Thanh So Martial Arts School include Binh Dinh Gia (Ha Noi), traditional martial arts school in DakLak Province, Thieu Lam Trung Son (Hai Duong Province)

The ceremony was short but solemn. The ceremony includes incense burning session at the altar of martial arts school. After that, the exchange began with hundreds of special performances.

Martial arts athletes of Binh Dinh Gia (Ha Noi) performed Túy quyền, Ba chân hổ, etc. Traditional martial arts school in DakLak Province attracted audiences with the performances of young athletes, who were greeted by many people. Thieu Lam Trung Son (Hai Duong) showed their performances using different weapons. With careful preparation, martial arts athletes, instructors and masters created good impression on audiences thanks to their performances: Song đũa, Ðoản côn hắc cẩu, etc.

Master Bui Cong Phuong –Binh Dinh Gia (Ha Noi) said, “Presently Binh Dinh Gia strongly develops in the North with ten thousands of martial arts athletes. In Ha Noi, there are about 100 Binh Dinh Gia Martial Arts Schools. Most of the athletes have stable jobs or they are students. All of them believe that Binh Dinh Gia is their common house and they are working together for the development of this martial arts school”

Master Thanh So said, “All my life is for martial arts; I have been chosen as the head of this martial arts school more than 40 years. I have never been glad than this time. Last year, our martial arts school won the champion of the provincial traditional martial arts tournament – the cup of Hero Quang Trung. This year, the martial arts school was chosen one of the five schools for exchanges of martial arts. We hoped to meet and exchange with other martial arts schools in the future”

Nguyen Duc Thang (source: baobinhdinh.com.vn)