Academy in Cyprus embraces Wing Chun Kung Fu (2)

Sifu Yiannos Christoforou teaches Wing Chun Kung Fu at his acadamy in Nicosia, Cyprus, Dec. 5, 2016. Christoforou started to learn Wing Chun Kung Fu in 1989 at the age of 21 from German Wing Chun master Philipp Bayer, who was from Ip Man lineage. He opened his academy in Nicosia six years ago and has 50 trainees currently, 30 adults and 20 kids. Wing Chun Kung Fu is a branch of Chinese Kung Fu which was originated from southern China hundreds of years ago. [Photo: Xinhua]

"The 2013 economic crisis turned things upside down. Some of my students lost their jobs and others had their income slashed and could not afford the fees. As far as I know, at least 10 percent of them went abroad to find a job," said Christoforou.

He told his students who lost their jobs to continue training and pay their fees after they could find a job.

"Some of them accepted the offer but many refused out of pride and quitted the academy," he said.

Christoforou himself started training in 1989 at the age of 21. His instructor was German Wing Chun master Philipp Bayer, of the Ip Man/Wang Shun Leung lineage.

"I was influenced by the Bruce Lee movies and other movies centered on martial arts and street fighting. I chose Wing Chun because it is result oriented. Its aim is to knock out an opponent in the shortest possible time," he says.

He says that other styles of street fighting may be impressive to watch being performed in exhibitions, but Wing Chun is the most effective way to neutralize an attacker, and suitable for everyone to practice, young and old, men and women.

"It is based on the knowledge of the anatomy of the body and uses the most effective technics. It is both an offensive and defensive method using quick kicks and punches at the same time directed at vulnerable spots of the body," he explains.

He says that Wing Chun as originated in south China in 1939, is very direct in its approach to either attack or defense and is simple to learn, but at the same time requires hard work and dedication to achieve perfection.

"You cannot become a fighter instantly. But once you master it you can face any attacker," he said.

There are several schools of all forms of martial arts in Cyprus, like Tae Kwon Doe, Judo, and other styles of Kung Fu.