Daniel Hughes

Dan first started to learn about Wing Chun in 1996 while training Lau Gar Kung fu. He found the instructor to be very open minded and was encouraged to look at different styles that interested him. Dan was a fan of Bruce Lee and had read that he studied Wing Chun and that it was known for it’s hand techniques. AS a result he decided to try and find out more about the Wing Chun style. He bought a book which introduced the theory and techniques based on the Chum Kiu form which showed a completely different side to Wing Chun. He soon realised that there was more to the system than learning just good hand techniques. The more he read about it the more he realised that Wing Chun was what he wanted to study and decided to stop training Lau Gar to find a club where he could learn Wing Chun.
 
Dan trained at a Wing Chun club in Bristol for around 6 months but it became apparent to him that the Instructor did not 'practise what he preached' which reduced Dan's confidence in the class. However, while training there Dan read an interview with Sifu Shaun Rawcliffe in Combat magazine. In the interview Sifu Rawcliffe told how he had been taught by Grandmaster Ip Chun. Dan was impressed by Sifu Rawcliffes attitude in the interview and his lineage so decided to call Sifu Rawcliffe as he wanted to learn the complete system as taught by Grandmaster Ip Chun. Dan was recommended to train with Sifu Steve Woodward and Sifu David Akroyd-Jones at Cheltenham Wing Chun Kuen.
 
Dan started training at Cheltenham Wing Chun Kuen in 1999 and has not looked back since. Initially he had doubts about some aspects of the Wing Chun art but these were quickly dismissed by Sifu's Woodward and Akroyd-Jones with the ideas being later reinforced on meeting Sifu Shaun Rawcliffe. It quickly become apparent to Dan that the Sifu’s could not only 'talk the talk' but could also 'walk the walk' which gave him the utmost confidence in, not only the system but the club as well.
 
 "I feel very fortunate to be a member of this family like association. I have learnt so much from training Wing Chun at the club, not only the Martial aspect but other things which I have benefited from in my day to day life."

Dan Hughes