Another eventful weekend has passed.

This time it saw a few brave competitors hit the road at 7am on Saturday to make their way to Markham for registration in the 26th Canadian National KungFu Championship, hosted by the Canadian Chinese Kuo Shu Federation.

The famous “Markham Competition”, this time first hand!

We were treated to a friendly reception and some of us were immediately put to work. We know how this goes from our own events 🙂

Atado members are always ready to help!

The Shaolin Quanfa Institute (under Shi Guo Song) brought the most students. Chi Wai Lee (Chung Wah) , Atado, the International Hung Gar Association (all the way from Quebec City!) and Christian Wushu (the hosts) made up a much smaller but no less capable group.

Our first participant was Zach, demonstrating his small back-through boxing form and catching major air for the picture. Zach also was our most active participant, signing up for Empty Hand, 13 Spear and Soft Weapon Sparring! The latter gained him a bronze medal! Congratulations, Zach!

Zach performs his small back-through boxing form in front of the judges

Kai showed the Northern Shaolin Longboxing, sticking out from the other participants with a truly different form.

Kai performs Northern Shaolin Longboxing

Nicolas participated in the Empty Hand form and in sparring with a spear. He earned silver medals against formidable competitors in both disciplines.

It was exciting to watch a real sparring event where competitors are actually given a chance to practice their skills. Watch the video below to see for yourself!

In the end, this competition was both a pleasure to watch and to participate in. Both judges and participants were very much in line with our style and held a very fair and friendly competition. Our Team enjoyed the visit and came home honourably decorated.

We are looking forward for this event again next year!

*** Update: Check out the videos below!!! ***

So, today is Sunday, the day after the Royal Medieval Faire in Waterloo Park.

The Royal Medieval Faire in Waterloo

And what a day THAT was! It was a bit wet and a bit windy, but we did great! Our most resilient team, consisting of Zach, Kylie, Matthew, Kai, Justin, Nicolas and Karen weathered wind and rain, put on a great show and still managed to have a blast!

Shi Nicolas leads the kids in Basic Eight

As at the Cherry Park Festival earlier this summer we generated a lot of interest and many people stopped by the booth to handle some weapons, talk to us or participate in the draw for a free month membership, T-shirt and Ninja Soap.

Shifu Justin & Kai demonstrating Long Boxing

The King himself (impersonated by Dave Jaworsky, the major of Waterloo) gave us the honour of an appearance and a portrait!

The King grants Atado the honour of a portrait

Between our own demonstrations, our kids were occupied playing the games, awesomely put on by the organizers of the RMF for all the little knights, ladies and Shaolin.

Zach & Kai shoot down the fortress!

Zach was unstoppable until he either got banned, had depleted the price stock or the show closed!

Matthew did his first public presentation – awesome job, Matthew!

Shaolin skill & bravery – after only one month of training!

All our participants took the opportunity for a match-up with one of the knights, stepping into the fighting ring (with foam blades, of course!) to see who would have won a medieval battle if the Crusaders had made it past the middle east. See some of the videos below!

Shifu Justin squares off with Sir Liam

Zach takes down the Mysterious Black Knight Sir Sean

Miraculously recovered, Sir Sean matches up against Shi Nicolas

Shifu Karen faces the intimidating Sir Scary Knight

Thank You to all who showed up! Karen, Justin & Nicolas for organizing the demos, kids for participating and being good fun and parents for helping out!

I specifically wanted to thank James for his cheer, staying power and unrelenting sales job! Thank You James, without you these shows would be much quieter!

Thanks also goes out to Trevor and Amy who helped us set up and take down and who lend us Zach to keep our spirits up in rain and storm!

Edison, we all send out multiple thanks during the day already for your canopy!!! You will get it back dry and unharmed, we really appreciated the loan!

Last Night, in an emotional speech, Ron has told us the story of his club, his KungFu family, some of his past and how he sees Atado going forward.

Ron tells Atado’s history

As you may know, Ron and his wife Stacy are moving back home.

This leaves Atado up in the air for all of us. Luckily Ron has been thinking about his legacy and has prepared the hand-over. Shifu Victor, Shifu Karen, Shifu Justin and Shi Nicolas are ready to continue the Kung-Fu and Tai Chi practice. Shifu Ron will join us via Skype on Saturday’s and visit us for Gradings.

In the ceremony Grandmaster Ron Williamson abdicated his status in the 7th Generation of the Li family to Shi Nicolas as the 8th Generation of the Li family. Shifu Victor completed the ceremony by passing the family chop (seal) from Shifu Ron to Shi Nicolas.

Shi Nicolas accepts the Li Family chop as the 8th generation from Shifu Victor.