Kung-Fu Black Belt

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 9, 2 August 1983, Page 18

Kung-Fu Black Belt

Vivienne Bidwell, a recent arrival in Ohakune from Mount Maunganui, returned to Tauranga on July 3 to be successfully tested for her Black Belt in Nam Wah Pai Kung Fu. The grading was conducted by Mr Steven Kitson, 5th Dan Chief Instructor of Nam Wah Pai in New Zealand. The grading lasted nearly two hours and consisted of a fitness test, performance of all basic techniques of the style, kata, sparring and breaking techniques.

Vivienne has been involved in martial arts for six years. She began learning Tae Kwon Do in Palmerston North, and attained her Black Belt in that style after about three years. She shifted to Mount Maunganui with her husband Gerard, and joined Nam Wah Pai as she found she preferred that style and the very high level of instruction offered by Mr Kitson. A change of job for her husband, who teaches at the local Primary School, meant a shift

to Ohakune. Gerard holds a Brown Belt in Nam Wah Pai, and has trained in various other styles of martial arts. Vivienne and Gerard plan to start a club in Ohakune so that they can continue to train in their preferred style, and so that they can pass on the knowledge they have acquired. Nam Wah Pai is a southern Chinese art and has its headquarters in Singapore. A special feature of the style is that once the students reach Black Belt Instructor level they progress onto internal training, which is a special method of breathing.