I’m Abhijit Gune. My journey with Martial Arts began in my late 20’s. Back then I was learning Shaolin Kung Fu for 5 years, first in India and later in Sri Lanka. But after I was injured during a sparring session, I was advised by doctors to stop my training for a year or so. Later, growing work responsibilities and family commitments pushed back the plan to learn further.
After a big gap I again wanted to get back to martial arts. I found Sifu Shiv, the chief instructor of IWCA, to be a believer of fancy free, effective and practical applications of martial arts and also a teacher of authentic Wing Chun Kung Fu in Mumbai. And that’s when I enrolled myself in IWCA.
I’m learning Wing Chun Kung Fu from him for almost 3 years. After completing the first module, Sifu Shiv asked me if I wanted to become an instructor with IWCA. I was more than happy to accept it. As an instructor, I had to be sure of what I’m teaching and hence I had to practice myself a several times. To simplify the methods to teach complex techniques to student is a challenge at times. But the high point is to see a big surprise on a students face when he or she discovers the power within by applying the Wing Chun Principles and techniques. It’s a matter of great joy to see the transformation of a student from a skeptical, unsure person to a confident individual.
I feel there is no shortcut to learn a martial art. Patience, perseverance and turning failure into learning are key to one’s progress.
