Directory of Martial Art Training Schools in Asia
亚洲 - 武术 名单
FOUNDED (成立): 2010
UPDATED (更新): Dec. 25, 2022
UPDATED (更新): Dec. 25, 2022
This site is a directory of martial art clubs and associations along the Silk Roads and brief news about illustrious martial arts people, events, history and philosophy.
该网站是丝绸之路沿线的武术俱乐部和协会的目录，以及有关杰出武术人士，事件，历史和哲学的简要新闻。
该网站是丝绸之路沿线的武术俱乐部和协会的目录，以及有关杰出武术人士，事件，历史和哲学的简要新闻。
What's New
For information on various Asian martial arts, it's easiest to look at their HQ websites. The following is a short list.
Judo (IJF), Jujutsu (SJJI Japan) (INJA) (JJIF) (WJJF) (AJJIF), Karate [WKF World Karate Federation] [Shorin-Ryu Karate Do Oshukai, ISKKF] [Goju Ryu JKF Gojukai] [Shotokan ISKF, SKIF] [Kenpo IKKF], [Kyokushin K.W.F., IKF] Kendo (AJKF, FIK), Kung Fu (IKFF, IKF), Muay Thai (IFMA*), Pencat Silat (IPSF), Taekwondo (WTF), Taekwondo (ITF)
* The International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) is the sole recognised sport governing body of amateur and professional Muay Thai and Muay boran consisting of 130 member countries worldwide with 5 continental federations after unification of International Federation of Muaythai Amateur and World Muaythai Council. IFMA is officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF),[2] the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF), the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA),[3] World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)[4] International World Games Association (IWGA),[5] and Trim and Fitness International Sport for All Association (TAFISA).[6] Muaythai has been included in many official sport programs such as the World Games, World Combat Games, Arafura Games, TAFISA Games, SEA Games, Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, Asian Beach Games,[7] Demonstration Sport in the Asian Games.
New Silk Roads Martial Arts YouTube Channel: @silkroadmartialartsfriends7329
To help further share the martial arts legacies of Asia and the west, the founder of this site recently started a YouTube channel. True, I'm preternaturally busy these days working on a dozen different projects, but my martial arts hobbies really are what keeps me smiling. See above for new link.
X-Mass Update: Say a prayer for all of our friends in China, the US and other places facing extreme difficulties now.
I, and everyone who follows the news has to give credit to President Xi for fighting the good fight against COVID-19 that has saved millions of lives, especially among the elderly. Fortunately now much better medicines are available than a few years ago, and most people already have some resistance. Yet, due to high population COVID-19 the original, and variants are still very real threats. Closer attention needs to be paid to the origin of that disease to ensure others like it don't pop up in the future.
And in the US, a horrific storm has hit:
And in the US, a horrific storm has hit:
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US bomb cyclone: 21 people dead as temperatures plummet as low as -45C - The huge winter storm pummeling parts of the US has intensified into a "bomb cyclone", with 60% of the population under a winter weather warning.
Sunday 25 December 2022 https://news.sky.com/story/us-bomb-cyclone-nine-people-dead-as-temperatures-plummet-as-low-as-45c-12773934 |
What's Up?
The Kings of Swords
Um, no not me, well yes the photo, but I am no king of anything. However I enjoyed both western fencing and kendo immensely. Neither are practiced here where I am now, but hope to continue sword play in the future.
As a child I visited Toledo Spain several times and gained an appreciation of fine swordsmithing. Reading Euro News the other day I noticed an interesting article mentioning both Toledo and Chinese Longquan swords.
Forged from fire: how swords shaped China and Europe's cultural histories
By Paul Hackett & Yegor Shyshov • Updated: 22/12/2022 Forged 2,600 years ago, the Longquan Sword was the first of its kind to be made from iron in Chinese history. At around the same time, Toledo in Spain was becoming a centre for swordmaking, with first Carthaginian general Hannibal and then the Romans becoming aware of the quality of the city's steel..." https://www.euronews.com/culture/2022/12/22/forged-from-fire-how-swords-shaped-china-and-europes-cultural-histories It's an interesting article for those who have an appreciation of fine swords. When I lived in South Korea 2001-2009 I researched the traditional sword-smiths of that nation and built a site. Some of the contact links may no longer be working but it is unlikely the art itself has changed. https://gregorybrundage.tripod.com/koreanswords/ In Doha Qatar I often hung out at the well-known sword shop of friend Shamsan (who also helped me get outfitted in Arab Thawb), a must stop for men wishing to get married in an Arabic country. https://www.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=1379 https://www.kungfumagazine.com/index.php?p=article&article=1394 
Nov. 11, 2022 - The Silk Road Kung Fu Friendship Tour is ON! And getting bigger and better than ever. To reach bigger audiences it has expanded to include many arts and sciences, including all martial arts along the Silk Roads.
Kung Fu in Phuket?
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Silk Road Kung Fu Friendship Tour Books
During the past couple of months this site's editor - the intrepid Silk Road Kung Fu Friendship Tour traveler has complied the series of articles published in http://www.kungfumagazine.com/ into books.
Available on www.amazon.com
Rebuilding the North Shaolin Monastery
Likewise, this editor has compiled the series of articles published in Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine into another book, also available on www.amazon.com
For a more in-depth reading into the history and culture of Shaolin, see:
SILK ROAD TAEKWONDO
Late last year I collected and published my series of articles that first aired in Taekwondo Times magazine.
If you're thinking about visiting Phuket Island, below are a few links to the best sites with tour and travel information.
Amazing Thailand
Amazing Thailand is an excellent site produced by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. However, this site does not include all niche market categories and is not complete within each niche market category (although their coverage of Buddhist temples is impressive).
https://www.tourismthailand.org/Accessibility/Destinations/Provinces/Phuket/350
Phuket 101
This site is one of the best travel resource sites I've ever seen anywhere. It is hosted by Willy Thuan and splendidly done.
https://www.phuket101.net
Phuket net
Phuket Net isn’t really commercial, though it does have a page promoting its’ cleaning service which this writer, and probably most people consider to be an industry with virtue. Phuket Net also has some great feature articles which point the way in terms of futurist marketing by personalizing and contextualizing tourism destination locations and events. https://www.phuket.net
Amazing Thailand is an excellent site produced by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. However, this site does not include all niche market categories and is not complete within each niche market category (although their coverage of Buddhist temples is impressive).
https://www.tourismthailand.org/Accessibility/Destinations/Provinces/Phuket/350
Phuket 101
This site is one of the best travel resource sites I've ever seen anywhere. It is hosted by Willy Thuan and splendidly done.
https://www.phuket101.net
Phuket net
Phuket Net isn’t really commercial, though it does have a page promoting its’ cleaning service which this writer, and probably most people consider to be an industry with virtue. Phuket Net also has some great feature articles which point the way in terms of futurist marketing by personalizing and contextualizing tourism destination locations and events. https://www.phuket.net
Thanks to the wonders of MS Paint I managed to get a mask to the Medicine Buddha at Songshan Shaolin.
Probably doesn't need one, made of brass as he is. Still, some sage advice.
Dreams can come true
Zhang Weili Regains UFC Champion Belt Saturday night, November 12, 2022
Zhang Weili reclaimed her UFC strawweight champion belt on Saturday night at the Madison Square Garden in New York City by defeating two-time title holder Carla Esparza
Zhang became the first Asian to win the UFC title in 2019. Losing her belt to Rose Namajunas in 2021, Zhang struggled back this year with a knockout over Joanna Jedrzejczyk in June.
To quote a lady friend of mine: "I think she earned the world's respect with her hard-working straight forward sincere spirit, wise philosophy, and style of fighting. I've become a fan of hers already . "
Zhang Weili was the first great Chinese female MMA superstar, but she's not the only one. For a good story from South China Morning Post about four other up and coming Chinese lady MMA stars, read here.
Wrestling anyone?
Aug 15, 2022 https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/7947533-2022-u20-world-championships-mens-freestyle-recap
Tectonic Shifts in Muay Thai!
According to Nation Thailand News
Aug. 5 "Women fighters make debut at Thailand’s oldest Muay Thai stadium
Aida Looksaikongdin and Zarah Venum Muay Thai will kick off a new era at Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok, whose ring has been exclusively preserved for male fighters since it opened 77 years ago in 1945...
Along with the introduction of female fighters, Muay Thai legend Buakaw Banchamek is due to fight at the stadium on August 19 – his first Rajadamnern appearance since 2004."
https://www.nationthailand.com/life/40018547
Aug. 5 "Women fighters make debut at Thailand’s oldest Muay Thai stadium
Aida Looksaikongdin and Zarah Venum Muay Thai will kick off a new era at Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok, whose ring has been exclusively preserved for male fighters since it opened 77 years ago in 1945...
Along with the introduction of female fighters, Muay Thai legend Buakaw Banchamek is due to fight at the stadium on August 19 – his first Rajadamnern appearance since 2004."
https://www.nationthailand.com/life/40018547
Respect for White Lotus
Awesome fighter Buakaw made waves in world of Muay Thai - Can he do it again?
You have to see him fight to fully realize: This guy is awesome! He uses classic Muay Thai technique combined with all the qualities of all of great fighters, speed, power, and timing. He is relentless.
Where is Buakaw from? Like many or most great Muay Thai fighters he's from a rural area - home province is Surin in the northeastern Thailand. He started his fighting career at the age of eight.
Below are a couple of training videos I got in another rural town called Kranuan a few months ago. Ain't no doubts about it: Those boys train hard.
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Future world champion? Who knows!
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Left to right - High school trainee, Kru Tong and writer.
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Martial art training for kids promotes more than just fitness and self-confidence
I and most people don't like bullies. You can see them on school grounds the world over. Usually he's bigger than his peers, much bigger, and can be found front and center walking along the school grounds like The King, flanked by two or three of his followers on each side. Those Big Bullies are unavoidable for regular kids.
And, they are always busy, shaking down smaller kids for their lunch money, other personal items, self-respect and joy of life. Enter the fight club. It can be Muay Thai or any number of other styles.
That fight club can change the balance of power in the world of kids in schools. How so? Even smaller kids can learn to teach that big bully respect, shave off his followers, and earn freedom for all the kids from the terror of the Big Bully. If your town doesn't have a martial art training center of some kind - it should.
And, they are always busy, shaking down smaller kids for their lunch money, other personal items, self-respect and joy of life. Enter the fight club. It can be Muay Thai or any number of other styles.
That fight club can change the balance of power in the world of kids in schools. How so? Even smaller kids can learn to teach that big bully respect, shave off his followers, and earn freedom for all the kids from the terror of the Big Bully. If your town doesn't have a martial art training center of some kind - it should.
Phuket Island Special
Top Picks for Muay Thai in Phuket Include
SINBI MUAY THAI - Rawai, Phuket
SINBI MUAY THAI, PHUKET
Sinbi Muay Thai had about 30 people training there at the time I visited including two world champions and at least four or five top Thai professionals. They also have classes for beginners and intermediate. The coaches and facilities are great. This is a world-class training center. I like the fact the owner is a former champion himself, is a family man and is there for consultation, training, and advice. Mornings and afternoon are probably the best times to train as around 5:00 pm pretty many fighters showed up. The early afternoon is probably best for individualized training. If you're looking for sparring partners around 5:00 pm is the time to come. Check in at the office when you arrive.
Sinbi Muay Thai
Incidentally, Rawai is only about 3 km. away from the Andaman Sea. If you love beaches and spectacular sunrises and sunsets, this the best place in the world.
Sinbi Muay Thai Kickboxing - Click on the photo to visit their site.
Sinbi MuayThai owner Somchai Binmad (Sing) (on right) with Silk Road traveler and Fighting Arts Asia host G. Brundage - Click on photo to go to their site.
If you're thinking about Muay Thai, or MMA training, this place is great. They've got a full range of training equipment, clean, modern on-site housing, showers, great restaurants nearby, and genuine likable coaches that know how to push without overdoing it. I made many new friends here. I like the family atmosphere.
SUMALEE
Muay Thai/Yoga/Nutrition
A large scale Muay Thai training center. I especially like the bags as they are the real Muay Thai bags I used to train with the 1990s, not the MMA bags I usually see in Muay Thai clubs these days. Training is 7:30 - 9:00 am and 5:00 - 7:00 pm. Office manager is named "Sun." He's an easy going friendly guy with great English. There's a super-nutrition restaurant there too. I visited about 3:00 pm, and there were only six or seven people training. It was about to rain so because I bike around this island and had another 10 km to get home, I kept this visit short. The owner by the way is a British doctor lady that cares about the athletes.
If you are, or want to be fighting in MMA - this is one of the Top places to be. They've got a huge compound including huge Muay Thai training hall with three rings, another very large hall for BJJ, on campus housing and even a small pool. The people and facilities are great. I made many new friends here.
For online Wushu classes see:
http://www.iwuf.org/multimedia/wushu-tv/
Many International Wushu Federation multi-media resources can be downloaded from: www.iwuf.org/multimedia/
Some photos from yesteryear
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The throw above is called "Uchi-mata" in Judo, though some people refer to it as the "Nut Cracker Suite."
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- The Silk Road Kung Fu & Taekwondo
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Padepokan Pencak Silat Indonesia.
Writer G. Brundage with Grandmaster Malik Iftikhar Ahmed, President & Founder of the Pakistan Wushu Federation and one of his teams in Lahore, January 2017
Writer with Pakistani Taekwondo Federation President Lt. Col. Waseem Ahmed Janjua in Islamabad and one of his teams
Best MMA Training in Qatar?Gotta say thanks to the great guys at The Cage Sport on Salwa Road, Ain Khalid Area. They have an excellent scene there with boxing, kickboxing, jujitsu, and taekwondo. Cool atmosphere with a ring, bags and top coaches.
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Left to right: Taekwondo master and good friend Mirza Yvavadze, writer G. Brundage & great teacher and friend to the Silk Road traveler, ITF Fed Pres Levan Tsaretashvili in Tbilisi
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This Silk Road is, and always was -
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LIVE YOUR DREAMS
I read of lot of books about the Silk Roads and highly recommend this new book. Excellently researched and written. It's an "eye-opener."
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The oldest peace treaty I have ever seen with my own eyes: Kadesh Treaty-between Hittites and Egyptians, 1269 . BC - found in the Archaeological Museum, Istanbul - BEAUTIFUL in the extreme. Photo by G. Brundage
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Dayahatyn Caravanserai, Turkmenistan - Living History
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2 Kings of the MMA Hill in China? Kunlun FIGHT & CKF - China Kung Fu
Kunlunjue was founded in 2014. They've got international connections, great fighters and nice sites! (But in Chinese language only.)
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For more information about CKF go to: http://www.c-kf.com/saishi/ (This is a new 2016 link, in Chinese) One Fighting Championship headquartered in Singapore is still GOING STRONG!
http://www.onefc.com/ |
A few of my other Internet sites:
Fighting Arts Africa
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Chinese Traditional Medicine 中药
It's far from finished, but the address is: http://chinamed.weebly.com Triathlon in China (铁人三项)
For updates on triathlons in China, the is the only English language site.
https://triathlonchina.weebly.com/ 
Nov. 2022 Note on Triathlon China - I moved to Thailand Oct. 17, 2021 and haven't had time to keep the above site up to date since then. However, I remain on China's major WeChat groups - hope visas to China open and soon and will back up to speed in the near future! In the meantime, I'm traveling the Silk Roads exploring the martial art scenes, running, swimming and biking!
China FashioNation 中国 时装
Do your friends threaten to call the "fashion police" on you? If so, this is the place to start remolding your public image. http://chinafashion.weebly.com/ This is an old site I haven't had time to keep up. In South Korea at Nonsan University I taught English in the Fashion Design program for years and do find fashion an interesting art! But alas, the demands of the world are many. A pity I don't have a few clones to help. |
You can find some Wushu related and contact information at these sites:
Chinese Wushu Association中国武术协会:http://wushu.sport.org.cn/
In Chinese but Google Translator does a reasonable job of translating it. |
INTERNATIONAL WUSHU FEDERATION
http://www.iwuf.org/ |
Confucious said:
"Never give a sword to a man that cannot dance."
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Site developed by Shi Long, Abdul Rashid bin Abdullah, Gregory Brundage