PAUL JUDGES AT WORLD CHAMP’S - added 12 October 2009
Paul Ramos traveled to Ulm Germany for the 2009 Kuoshu World Championships held there the last weekend in September. The venue was new, spacious and beautiful. The host hotel, the Meritim was luxurious and made a great after tournament meeting place for competitors, judges, and their families. Alex Chek, the Tournament director arranged an event truly worthy of International status. 30 countries sent representatives to compete at the event and although the total number of competitors was below 400 it seemed as though everyone enjoyed the competition. Alex King, Paul’s kung fu brother along with Sifu John Green of Baltimore provided the nucleus of the Internal judging staff.
All in all, the Europeans seem to be less advanced in their level of Chinese martial arts skills. The adults were generally less advanced than what we see routinely here in the US. The Internal Division was a bit small but the forms competitors entered all of the events available. Push Hands was dominated by the French team who took Men’s upper and lower weight divisions and by the British team who took the women’s divisions. The brightest spots were the children’s divisions. Some of these kids were truly fabulous. They exhibited focus, empty hand and weapons mastery that usually far exceeded that of their adult team mates. It seems that although the current adult competitors are a bit lacking, it appears obvious that the next generation will be a force to be reckoned with. The German people were extremely warm and giving and I’d love to go back any time to visit those good people.