Master James Sinclair

The 1970's Early Day

Master James Sinclair began his martial art studies in 1972 when he started a karate style under the guidance of Sensei Alan White. Sensei White instilled in James the martial art spirit that he carries to this day. Even though James later left to train in Wing Chun, he has always held his first teacher in high regard.

The first influences that any person experiences are so important and, through Sensei White's encouragement and example, James has been left with a lasting legacy of Martial Art Spirit.

Master Sinclair, went on to train in Wing Chun Kung Fu for a decade in Essex & London. Showing total one mindedness and dedication and soon became a senior student and even represented his teacher at British Kung Fu Council and Martial Art Commission events.

In the late 1970's James performed the Siu Nim Tao form on stage at a full capacity Westminster Central Hall in London. This was the for the Bruce Lee Convention. The guest of honour was Guru Dan Inosanto. What was most humbling is that this world respected martial artist took the time to talk to James and give words of encouragement and compliments.

James demonstrated the skills to foreign military representatives, on televison and was the 'dummy' for his teacher in martial art magazine shoots.

By 1979 James was recognised as a teacher of Wing Chun Kung Fu by the 'Martial Arts Commission of Great Britain'. James took the art to many venues and gave public demonstrations. Master Sinclair did his best to represent Wing Chun in a positive light to the burgeoning classes that were developing under his, and his colleagues', tuition and helped bring Wing Chun to many people's attention.

The 1980's: A Decade of Hard Work, Challenges and Change

In 1981 James was fortunate enough to meet and train under the guidance of Grandmaster Ip Chun. It was a tremendous experience to meet a gentleman who was so well respected due to his lineage, but also backed that respect up with honesty and integrity. James bought Si-Gung a special Caithness Crystal Paperweight as a remembrance. Unfortunately this was the last time James would meet the GrandMaster for a few years.

It was also at this time that James took a small part in the BBC docmentary series 'Way of the Warrior'. He also went on location and took part in the well received Channel 4 series 'The Living Body'.

During this time James took part in the British Kung Fu Council National Championships.

BIRTH OF THE UK WING CHUN ASSOC.

1985: The Wilderness Years Begin

In October 1985 the United Kingdom Wing Chun Kung Fu Association was born. The name simply stated where the students trained, what system they trained in, and that that they are an Association of like minded individuals who stayed together out of mutual respect.

Amongst the first UK Wing Chun Kung Fu Assoc. students were:

Abid Mahmood, Mark Phillips,Eric Wilson, Steve Mair, Kwok Wan Cheung, Andrew Cameron, Paul Hawkes, Ross Mockeridge, Steve Hazell. All of these students had to train hard to build a strong foundation. A part of their training that that they still rely on to this day. There were many other notable students who no longer teach. Amongst the most talented were Sifu Kevin Oldman and Bobby Beach.

ability.

Si Gung Ip Chun and James Sinclair forged a very good relationship, a relationship that is still alive today through James' students who travel to Hong Kong as part of their own martial art dream.and it led to Grandmaster Ip Chun teaching seminars for James's students in Essex and staying over at James home.

By 1989 James had formally completed the Wing Chun system and visited Hong Kong and China at the invitation of Grandmaster Ip Chun.

Grandmaster Ip Chun's invitation to Hong Kong and China led to many interesting martial artists being met and many sticky hand sessions with leading Hong Kong practitioners. Si Gung Ip Chun also asked James to perform Siu Nim Tao at every opportunity and seemed very proud when he received high praise from fellow martial artists.

James also visited Pak Mei and Gong Sai Praying Mantis kung fu masters during his stay as friends of James had contacts with other masters.

Grandmaster Ip Chun finally stated there were only his own idiosyncrasies that he could now teach James. He stated that James would no doubt develop as his direction was correct. He wished James to spread Wing Chun to the best of his ability and registered James at the Yip Man Martial Art Association, and even put James under his own name on the family tree. However, this was later withdrawn due to political interference and jealousies. James continues to train and teach and has continued to keep out of the politics of martial arts to this day. James has never stated his is a student of Si-Gung Ip Chun and neither would he wish to upset other's delicate ego's by declaring so.

During Master Sinclair's 30 plus years in martial arts he has fought numerous semi-contact competitions, as well as some boxing, full contact and Thai training and sparring. James also fought many private martial art challenge matches with no rules. This vast experience has been used to build an approach that has created many many talented students.

Now justifiably recognised as one of the most gifted teachers available, Master Sinclair has conducted seminars and demonstrations with many of the elite martial artists of the world such as Guro Dan Inosanto (JKD & Kali), Master Sken (Thai Boxing), Sensei Greg Wallace,(6th Dan BASKA), Master Kevin Brewerton, (World semi Contact Champion x times) Bob Fermor (Nunchaku & other weapons), Sensei Mike Billman (5th Dan Shotokan Karate), Sensei Terry Coughtrey (3rd Dan Jui Jitsu), Master Dave Oliver (Taekwondo 6th degree).

Master James Sinclair teaches professionally and has many branches in England, and the United States. The UKWCKFA now has three full time schools. One in Rayleigh Essex, another run by the talented Sifu Mark Phillips in Wood Green, North London and one by his longest term student Sifu Abid Mahmood in Hockley, Birmingham West Midlands. James' wish is to spread Wing Chun Kung Fu and make it as popular and accessible as the many Japanese and Korean styles.

Since 1994 Master Sinclair has been a qualified Shiatsu (Japanese massage / acupressure) practitioner and has been studying Oriental Medicine for some years now. James occasionally introduces the concepts of chi and pressure points into the martial art classes. He does not specialise in pressure point attack and knockout, instead he prefers to encourage the understanding of the knowledge in order that the students gain a good grasp of the culture and realise that it is better to heal than damage another person.

The UKWCKFA has expanded to teach Wing Chun to children from years of age and the classes are developing well.

In 1997 James and a few senior students attended the Kent Martial Art Festival For The Disabled.

Master Sinclair is featured in a book entitled 'Ultimate Martial Arts'. This is a compilation / reference style publication. With Master Mark Phillips they demonstrate some chi sau, pole, knives and wooden dummy. There are also women and children of the Association featuring other aspects of Wing Chun Kuen.

In June 1998 James contributed to Martial Arts Illustrated's video magazine.

In October 1998 James visited the studios of Martial Arts Illustrated and had a photo shoot for the magazine. The front cover and lead article were released in January 1999.

In September 1999 the much awaited first video was released. Titled 'Wing Chun: Pure & Simple' it has been very well received and has become a classic teaching tape. Sold all over the world, there has never been one complaint, except when is the next installment out? This is amazing for a video shot almost in one take!

In September 2000 the UKWCKFA finally opened their first full time Kwoon. This has been well received and some great guest instructors like Rick Young, Erik Paulson and Steve Benitez have given us the pleasure of sharing their skills through tremendous teaching ability. We will keep striving to improve the quality of the Wing Chun we teach by researching more approaches to training methodologies.

In December 2001 the UKWCKFA released their Interactive cd rom.

In January 2004 Master Sinclair was featured in the Bravo television series entitled 'Ultimate Warriors'

In November 2005 Master James Sinclair revisited Hong Kong & China for the first time in 16 years at the personal request of Si-Gung Ip Chun to attend the VTAA 2nd World Conference.

25 years after first meeting, Si-Gung Ip Chun once again recalled the remembrance gift and mentioned that he still has it on display in his home. This is the tenor of the man James respects. He makes all students feel special.

In Hong Kong and China, James and his team of talented students made a very big impression and as a result James has finally received the recognition many feel he deserved. He has been made a lifetime member of the VTAA and recognised as a Sifu in Wing Chun despite no longer being under any teacher. Grandmaster Ip Chun approved the awarding of the certificate and at the same time recognised James' own students for their ability by awarding them the certificates too. The awarding of the certificates to James' students meant more to James than his own receipt and justified all the political struggles that the he personally went through.

Below are some of the photos of the trip. Click here and follow the link to a small write up on the event.

As long ago as 1987 'Fighters' magazine had an article predicting that James "....may well become the teachers' teacher". Surely that time is now.

We have added a simple photo collection here.

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