Klotz becomes a kung-fu master

AJN STAFF

JULIAN Klotz has claimed a rarity in Australian kung-fu. The 34-year-old recently attained the status of a kung-fu shifu -— Mandarin for “master” -— after being put through a gruelling physical assessment by his Chinese master.

The “master” title dates back to the traditional Chinese martial arts hierarchy. It is only superseded by the grand master, and usually takes a decade of discipline and knowledge to obtain.

Klotz’s grading came after just four years’ preparation since arriving in Australia from South Africa as he was able to call on 23 years of experience across a range of martial arts.

After four years under the tutelage of master Daniel Wang Yun Kuo at the Praying Mantis Kung Fu Academy in Leichhardt, Sydney, Klotz was put to the test by his mentor from Shandong in China -— and became the first member of his academy to graduate to the exclusive system.

“The test lasts for over an hour and includes all the knowledge you need to show your teacher -— to pass you have to have the trust of your teacher,” he explained.

“But it’s as physical as anything … consider sprinting for a minute at full pace, resting, and then doing it again for an hour. It took me four days to recover.”

Klotz has moved away from the competition elements of martial arts to focus more on the deeper study of kung-fu style, discipline and techniques.

Armed with his new title, he has opened his own academy, and promotes the martial art for those with the discipline to commit, and who will reap the rewards regardless of their age.

“If you’re after an art and prepared to learn techniques, you’ll gain subtleness, strength, stretching, become fit and strong, as well as learn an extreme self-defence sport or art,” he added.

“You have to have the character to work on something not easy. If you want to learn to beat someone up quickly, I don’t recommend it … in my system you have to control yourself first at all costs, if you can’t do that, how can you control the others?”