I’m the Best!
Rene Ritchie, November 30th, 2007
“I’m the best!”
“I was the only one who learned the secret style/form/technique…”
“My way is the only true way…”
“Only I preserve the real/true/authentic/traditional/classical Wing Chun exactly as Ng Mui/Yim Wing-Chun practiced it…”
“Everyone else is no good…”
“I was the Grandmaster’s first/last/only/favorite/closest student…”
“I’m the only real Grandmaster/successor/inheritor…”
“I’m the best!…”
Since I first became active on the Internet several years ago, I have had the good fortune to speak with Wing Chun Kuen practitioners from many different branches, in dozens of different countries around the world. I have found almost all of them to be uniquely interesting and insightful. From them, I have gained numerous perspectives into the art, and a continually growing appreciation of the depth and breadth of Wing Chun.
However, no matter whom I speak with, what line they come from, or where they practice, almost without fail I inevitably end up hearing some variation of “I’m/we’re the best!…”
In the broadest of contexts, most people who practice the Yip Man style of Wing Chun (the most widely spread and often encountered branch) often project that;
“Only Yip Man got true Wing Chun…”
“If Yip Man didn’t do (insert form/technique/etc.) it wasn’t worthwhile…”
“Yip Man beat all the other Wing Chun people of his time…”
“Everyone else learned Wing Chun from Yip Man…”
“We’re the best!…”
Conversely, people who practice the other, lessor known branches, usually hold that
“Only we got true Wing Chun…”
“Yip Man didn’t learn (insert form/technique/etc.) and we have it…”
“Our ancestors beat Yip Man…”
“Our ancestors taught Yip Man…”
“We’re the best!…”
The same holds true within branches. In the Yip Man style alone, there are many, many claims of
“I’m the new grandmaster/true succesor…”
“I’m the best fighter…”
“I’m the only one who learnt the true style…”
“I’m the only one who teaches the true style…”
“I’m the best!…”.
The same occurs in the Pan Nam, Yuen Kay-San, and other branches, of course, although far fewer people are involved.
At times, these feelings flare publicly, such as the Hong Kong V.T.A.A. (Ving Tsun Athletic Association) vs. William Cheung letters; the V.T.A.A. vs. Leung Ting letters; the William Cheung vs. Leung Ting altercations in New York, Germany, and last year, New York again; and the recent Yip Chun vs. Leung Ting feud in the Hong Kong media. Many other older generation practitioners, although keeping their opinions out of the public eye, are more then happy to share biting commentary on their peers in more personal settings (and yes, the head of your lineage does this to!).
Perhaps this is human nature, perhaps martial nature, perhaps even something in the nature of Wing Chun Kuen practitioners. Other martial arts, although having several branches and prominent instructors, manage to get along and work together (at least in public) to a much greater degree then the Wing Chun family seems able.
Why can’t Wing Chun Kuen practitioners get along? In the end, it seems often to come back to the heads of the various lineages propagating “I’m the best…”.
One has to wonder, then, “the best” at what? The best fighter? People with no Wing Chun training at all can fight. The best preserver of the “true” method? We aren’t machines and no one can replicate their teacher exactly. At best we can remember what they did, filtered through our own experiences and points of view. The best teacher? Different students respond to different teaching methods. No one method is best for everybody.
If the older generation can’t seem to get along and all think they are “the best”, where does it leave the younger generation? Unfortunately, many seem to adopt a “sifu says, so it must be true” attitude. In fact, well meaning, loyal, but unfortunately misguided students are sometimes at the root of the recent flare-ups in Wing Chun Kuen politics.
Personally, I’ve never found “the best”. I’ve seen and researched many branches of Wing Chun and spoken with many practitioners (both teachers and students), and many have been outstanding, but each is but one facet of the Wing Chun gem. Every branch has something to offer. Some preserve older aspects of the art, some include brilliant innovations. Some have maintained detailed records of legends and histories, others have accumulated deep insights into principles and concepts. Still others have developed great experience in practical usage.
We are fortunate to have such a wealth of knowledge available too us, regardless of which specific branch we choose to practice. In the end, we benefit and grow strong from them all.
Unfortunately, it may be too late for the older generation to put aside their differences. In all likelihood, it is up to the younger generation. With the many books, videos, and other information becoming available, and with the Internet bringing practitioners from around the world together, the ability to work together, gain understanding from each other, and present a strong Wing Chun family to the world has never been better.
As to “I’m the best!…”, when I hear it I think back to my own teacher’s words, “maybe I’m right, maybe I’m wrong, you have to go out and see for yourself”. It also brings to mind the famed saying of Yip Man sifu, “Maybe I’m tricking you. Go out and test it!
bro make them have atournament to see who is real best they can learn and teach each other and hopefully bring more peace to wing chun styles
Who cares..!! Having a tournament as suggested above proves absolutely nothing. I have been training in WC since 1985 under GM William Cheung and primarily under Sijo Rick Spain. I’ve run several WC schools of my own in Sydney over the years and 10 years ago moved on from RS choosing to continue my journey of self improvement and self mastery. It would appear that if someone has trained in WC, then they’re apparently entitled to make ridiculous claims about being this and that.. we’re the best, that version is no good and so on. Who really cares what these people claim? I don’t. Everyone has an opinion about most things but when it comes to MA training, ego takes over every time. It’s not just WC. After Mas Oyama passed away, the Kyokashin organization fragmented very quickly. There are other examples if you look. Re GM Cheung and Leung Ting, don’t even bother. GM Cheung trained under Ip man. Having a say about that is disrespectful. Just another opinion being aired. Be an positive example for the future.. don’t enter into this game. It serves no purpose whatsoever..
I understand your reasons in airing this forum as it’s been going on for years and quite frankly is disappointing that we can’t all get on. But for me, i choose to focus outwardly in how i can make a difference to the lives of my students and the community at large. I’m fairly certain, most people whether students and potential students are not interested in all of this. They come looking for guidance, friendship, coaching, self development, inspiration as so forth. Talking about the subject above only keeps it alive. Let’s do our bit to put an end to the squabbling. I have no control over these things but i do have control over my reaction to it. Besides, in my experience working 20 years in all facets of the security industry, WC doesn’t have all the answers. I used to think it did and was very precious about those who said otherwise. My journey has lead me to Close Combat Training which i have been training/teaching for the last 6 years. WC has it’s place in my curriculum however CCT has highlighted many realities of true life or death martial art combat.
My advice to all MA students and instructors alike.. continue moving forward with your training and development and avoid the mistake of stopping and making a stand saying “this is it. I now know!!” How can you know you know.?
Train Hard,
Respect