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I started training in Tai Chi Chuan in 1997 under the tuition of Steve Rowe, practising only for health benefits. While studying with him I began to realise that there was more to this art than I had first thought, which prompted me to look for a deeper understanding of this martial art.
During 1999 I began to train with Dan Docherty, attending one class a week and a monthly workshop. As I wanted more “one to one” tuition, he advised me to train with Steve Davies, who had a good understanding of the art, as well as maintaining my weekly class.
Steve and I got on extremely well and my knowledge started to grow with each lesson. After learning short and long form, he taught me Sabre.
After practising Sabre for three months he entered me for the British Open Tai Chi Competition, Intermediate Weapons Forms, where I was competing against more experienced people. I was awarded 4th Place.
After some unexpected personal problems, I had to stop the private lessons with Steve, but continued my weekly class with Dan.
While at one of Dan’s classes, I was introduced to Steve Wooster,
one of Dan’s senior students, he invited me to attend one of his classes, held on a Saturday. I went along and enjoyed his approach to teaching.
So I had one class each week plus my lesson with Dan.
Once I had completed my Nei Gong exercises, I asked if I could compete in Full Contact. My request was met with approval and I asked Steve Wooster if he would prepare me. The training was long and hard, but we finally entered the 2005 British Open Tai Chi Chuan Competition.
My fighting weight for the Full Contact Competition was in 75-80 kilos Category. The fight went for the full three rounds, and in the 3rd round I managed to knock out my opponent, and won.
After this win, I entered the competition at the British Open in 2006, I competed at the same weight and in the same category as the previous year, but this time the fight lasted only 2 rounds, as I unfortunately knocked out my opponents tooth and was declared the winner.
I have been training with Steve Wooster since 2001, and on a one to one basis since 2002 plus a weekly class. I still train under these circumstances.