Kung Fu Junior Black Belt Ashil Mohan successfully completed his Junior black belt grading on 9 July 2016. The following questions were asked by one of his teachers, Sijie Jo Baful, who did the interview with Ashil. You’ll note below that for a person of Ashil’s age, he shows good maturity and clarity of thought, attesting to the quality of the Golden Lion’s children programme.
How has Kung Fu influenced your life?
Kung Fu has influenced me in many ways. On a physical level, it has improved my fitness and health. It has allowed me to actively contribute in other sporting ventures and helped me become stronger and fitter, both internally and externally. On a mental plane, it has strengthened my attitude and state of mind. It has trained me to be a generally positive thinker and to stand up for myself. It has also influenced my confidence and persistence, and continues to do so. It has impacted the choices I have made for the better, and allowed me to think any situation through.
Looking back, what is your best memory about your training?
My best memory, looking back, would have to be the time myself and my friends had received push ups, for almost an entire class, from Sifu Craig and Sijie Joey for being, and I quote, “peanuts” (a term developed by Sifu Craig to describe mischievous and wrongful behaviour). The funny thing was though, we had not learnt our lesson, for as in the next class we had received push ups once again. For that year, we were known as the Peanut Boys. It was a humorous and ridiculous memory which helped further my love and gratefulness for the atmosphere of the training centre and my teachers. In addition, it further promoted my motivation to train as I grew to love going to the centre to practice alongside my brothers and sisters. If it weren’t for those little moments, I would never have achieved my junior black belt.
How did this become part of who you are now?
Kung Fu has become a part of me as it has prepared me to take on anything physically and mentally; whether it be school, sport or social. It had moulded me through the Eight Qualities of the Golden Lion (discipline, honour, respect, confidence, humility, perseverance, dignity and tolerance). These qualities are what I strive for in all other aspects of my life. It has made me a person who thinks critically and clearly, as well as, taught me confidence and appreciation for others and myself. Overall it developed my character and determination. It gave me another family, especially Sifu Craig and Sijie Joey who have positively influenced me, and are still to the very day, the greatest mentors I could ever ask for.
Do you have any advice for other students?
My advice for other students would be to not make Kung Fu a routine or a chore. Instead find a passion for it. Make it into something you enjoy and cherish. Have small achievable goals that keep you motivated and determined to train and fuel your appreciation for the martial art. You can ask yourself, what you want to get out of it or what you would like to achieve. And my final piece of advice, never give up.
What is the next step for you?
The next step for me is to achieve my next checkpoint in my journey; this checkpoint being my adults fifth stripe. From there, if possible, I would like to achieve my adult black belt, and hopefully one day pass on what I have learnt over the many years.
Is there anything you would like to say about your journey?
I would like to say that I couldn’t have come this far without the support I was given from Sifu Craig and from you Sijie Joey. You both have been there since the beginning and have shown me that when I put my mind towards a goal, I can achieve it. Of course, I could not have done this without my encouraging and supportive family. They have kept me motivated and focused. On a whole, this is only the beginning of a wonderful journey ahead.
Thank you for your contribution Ashil, and we all wish you the very best for the future.
SiJie Jo Baful