It was so good to be back training with Grandmaster Teh at the newly relaunched Kirkintilloch Club on 23rd January 2022. There had been a buzz and excitement from everyone to get back to training.

Most of you will know that my own club, Glasgow had not had a chance to get any official training during the pandemic so we had to keep ourselves ticking over in various ways. It has to be said again that we appreciate the efforts 3rd Dan Instructor Mr Sergey Jakovsky went to during the pandemic with his Online Tukido sessions as well as the outdoor sessions in the park and various halls over the period – it really helped to keep us ticking over.

Those that took part in these sessions owe a great deal to the ingenuity and dedication of Sergey as well as 3rd Dan Mr Alan Buchan who assisted with the online sessions too – we are all eternally grateful for the continued Indomitable Spirit and Tukido energy.

Some of you may recall that I recently shared 2 Tukido Newsletter articles – Tukido Instructor Course (Summer 2021 edition) and My Tukido Journey (Winter 2021 edition) which tells a little more about the course itself as well as a bit more about my journey through Tukido.

I passed the Instructor Course 2 full years ago on the 5th January 2020 at the Kirkintilloch hall and it was rather special to be finally presented with my Certificate by Grandmaster Teh on 30th January 2022 – in the same hall that I passed it in.

Grandmaster Teh delivers the entire Instructor Course – which was both challenging but enjoyable, but I was very fortunate that Sergey was appointed as my mentor and I would like to personally thank Sergey once again for his guidance and support throughout – which was much appreciated.

Time flies in life as 2 years had actually went in a flash but it was a very special occasion for me to finally get the presentation.

Once I received my certificate Grandmaster Teh asked me to close my eyes. On opening them, my partner Maureen was standing there with my new Tukido Instructor uniform. It was a very special and symbolic moment and if I’m honest, I felt a little rush of emotion. You see, Maureen had also shared in my Tukido journey and had listened to and encouraged me throughout the 18 months it took to complete it. Not only is it amazing to have our Tukido family around us, it is also important to share these events with our family and loved ones too.

Unbeknownst to me, Maureen had contacted Grandmaster Teh in 2020 after I had passed the course as she wanted to surprise me with a gift of my new uniform. Due to lockdowns though, Maureen had kept that secret for 2 full years until my presentation – which was no mean feat I’m sure.

For that symbolic act, for that very special gift and for your continued support Maureen, I thank you and shall wear it with pride as it was a gift from you. But I also wear that uniform as a symbol of the professionalism and spirit that we all get from this amazing Martial Art and as a visual recognition of having successfully completed the entire course.

Those who wear that uniform have demonstrated that they have worked hard to achieve the goal of becoming part of Grandmaster Teh’s team of Instructors.

That journey can be taken by each and every one of you. Each of you has what it takes. Be positive and believe in yourself, take that next step to enhance your skills and give something back to others. All you need to do is say to yourselves, I can do that – I want to be part of the Instructor Team.

Each and every one of us know that in Tukido, we get nothing for nothing from Grandmaster Teh – we need to earn every single achievement. But because of this, when do achieve something, we know we have earned it.

I have learned to realise that I will never be the most technically gifted Martial Artist but what I have had instilled into me from Grandmaster Teh and his team of instructors is Indomitable Spirit and a never give up attitude, not only to Tukido, but to everyday life itself.

I encourage every single one of you to work towards your Black Belt and as soon as you are able to, take that further step through the Tukido Instructor Course. I can assure you it will equip you in so many ways and you will benefit greatly from it, not only in your understanding of Tukido, but a greater understanding of yourself. It is a wonderful experience and I encourage you all to sign up as soon as possible.

Grandmaster Teh’s Instructor Team – Be Part of it

I would like to finish by thanking all those people again who have helped me during grading preparations and the Instructor Course but I specifically want to dedicate this article to one of our own, who sadly passed away recently, Mr Scot Ross 3rd Dan Instructor from the Motherwell Tukido Club.

During additional training sessions over many months, Mr Ross gave me so many tips to help me pass my 3rd Dan as well as so much support during my instructor course that I will be forever grateful for. Tukido has lost a great instructor but the entire Tukido family feels this huge loss and I dedicate this to him.

Rest in peace dear brother. You will never be forgotten.

Most clubs are back training again and it’s great to hear the feedback and enthusiasm from the students who are once again enjoying their Tukido. Each of us can feel the buzz and inspiration as Grandmaster Teh and his team of instructors put each of us through our paces. It’s so exhilirating to be back.

See the club locations and training times here.

Find below the overall winners from this year’s British Championships:

Overall Club Champions

Overall Black Belt Champion

Sergey Jakovsky – Glasgow

Overall Coloured Belt Champion (Joint winners)

Iain Young Jnr – Glasgow

Ryan Sommerville – Motherwell

Overall Ladies Champion

Kristina Greig – Glasgow

Overall Junior Champion

Hope Sommerville – Motherwell

Mary Biggins Shield – Black Belt Sparring Forms (Joint winners)

Kristina Greig – Glasgow

Alan Buchan – Kirkintilloch

Ryan Sommerville – Motherwell

Congratulations to Millie Millar who was promoted to 1st Dan Black Belt on the ninth of October! After joining Tukido at the age of eight Millie has continued to flourish training with Master Charles Tonner at Irvine Tukido Club. Nine years on, many Championships and Tukido Camps later, Millie has demonstrated the hard work and skill needed to achieve Black Belt. Well done Millie.

Below are some photos of Millie’s presentation:

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2019 brought adventure for many Tukido students who took part in Operation Monsoon – a trip organised by Grandmaster Teh giving them the opportunity to explore, experience and do some training across Malaysia. Here are some short pieces shared by some of the students who took part.

Stuart Carlton

Cave diving in Malaysia was one of my personal highlights. It is something I never thought I would have the chance to do. It became a real adventure, and one surreal experience was when the lit caves ended and so all we had to see in the pitch black were our head lights. Crawling through water filled holes, scrambling up jagged rocks and seeing countless bats on the roof all made for a once in a lifetime experience. The only downside was not being able to take a camera with me because all the incredible sights there have to be seen to be believed.

Go back for a dip in the pool and a quick shower before we jump in the back of a pick-up truck and head for lunch in a secret part of the jungle that Master Teh had discovered in his youth. The trek showed how family-oriented Tukido is, with everyone in the community helping each other out. When we got to the clearing, I knew instantly that I wanted to jump off the edge of the waterfall into the water. We had lunch and tried the Durian fruit – it was not for me! All of the students got our certificates for coming to Malaysia and, to celebrate, we all jumped into the water.

Stuart performs jumping turning kick to knock a bottle from Iain Snr’s head

After the trek we had some down time to explore Taiping by ourselves, so I went for a run around the lake gardens and took some pictures. That night, we all went for dinner in an amazing fish restaurant next to the river, before taking a night boat to see the fireflies. The only way I can describe the experience is to think of a whole forest covered in Christmas lights. I even managed to catch one in my hand which made the night very special for me.

Ryan Somerville – Trip of a life time

To have had the opportunity to go to such a beautiful colourful and vibrant country with the Founder of our amazing martial art was a dream come true for me.

Grandmaster Teh is and has been a huge influence on my life from when I started Tukido at age 11. But being able to travel with him around Malaysia taking in the beauty and culture was something else. The beautiful clear crisp mornings with dew on the grass and the sun rays splitting the trees was simply divine and a pleasure to be up so early.

I was also properly introduced to Grandmaster Teh art works which took my breath away the energy and chi I saw in these paintings was a mirror reflection of how I see Grandmaster Teh.

It’s reflection this is something I’d love to do every few years to see more of this beautiful country and experience first hand stories of growing up there from Grandmaster Teh.

Fantastic Experience that everyone who studies Tukido should aim to replicate in the future.

It is a pleasure to announce two of Tukido’s longest running and most dedicated instructors have been promoted. On the 18th December 2018, Alastair Graham was promoted to 6th Dan (now Master Graham) and Master Charles Tonner was promoted to 7th Dan. Both have worked incredibly hard to achieve these promotions and continue to inspire and encourage students at their respective clubs. A huge congratulations to both Master Graham and Master Tonner!

Grandmaster Teh was featured in an interview based article in The Peak titled ‘Glasgow-based Malaysian artist Teh Hock Aun in conversation about his works, art education and challenges he’s faced to date’. Click here to read the piece.