The Conclusion of an Era for Malaysia Shorinji Kempo

KOTA KINABALU: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted various activities, including the martial art of Shorinji Kempo, which has nearly come to a standstill, according to Grand Master David Wang, the founder of Sabah Shorinji Kempo. He has been instrumental in establishing this discipline since the early 1970s, navigating numerous challenges to promote its core mission of enhancing human potential and values.

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During the closing ceremony of the 1st Shorinji Kempo International Study Sessions, which saw participation from senior practitioners and instructors from Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia, David Wang, now 80 years old and the first Malaysian to become an instructor for the World Shorinji Kempo Federation at the Japan Headquarters, expressed his hope that senior instructors and participants would diligently carry on the martial art as a legacy for future generations.

Additionally, Master David Wang, a recipient of the Tokoh Sukan Sabah award in 2018 for his contributions to sports and moral development in Sabah, shared his vision for the post-pandemic recovery. He aims to restore Shorinji Kempo to its former glory, reminiscent of the early 1980s, and to inspire future generations to promote the art and contribute positively to society.

He emphasized that the true value of martial arts lies not in producing the best fighters for brutal competitions, but in fostering individuals who can give back to society both morally and physically. The essence of self-defense is not about harming others but about protecting oneself from wrongdoing while promoting good health and moral values, ultimately benefiting humanity and the community.

My message to the youth of Sabah and Malaysia is that love without strength is weakness, while strength without love is brutality. Therefore, love and strength must always coexist, regardless of the circumstances. Strength is essential to overcome weakness, and love is necessary to show mercy to others.

Meanwhile, Irwan Sumarin, a 65-year-old 4th Dan Black Belt from Jakarta and one of the representatives of approximately 90,000 active practitioners of Indonesian Shorinji Kempo, expresses his gratitude to the Malaysia Shorinji Kempo Federation for organizing such events. He looks forward to participating in more events in Malaysia, given its geographical advantages, economic opportunities, and proximity compared to the Japan region.

One of the Malaysian participants, 49-year-old Jafery Jomion, a former Branch Master who has been practicing Shorinji Kempo for 26 years, stated that Shorinji Kempo is the best martial art for individuals of all ages. It does not require significant physical strength to begin; rather, one can develop strength through gentleness. Most importantly, it fosters the development of moral values as a whole.

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