Hola Chavales
Joder otra vez! mira que sois pesados los de WT!
lla entiendo como se puede vender un producto que no vale nada todos estos años, con unos clientes como sois ustedes.
Primero que el combate Boztepe - Cheung es el unico combate que teneis para presentar. Con la organisacion mas grande del mundo y mas de 500000 practicantes, es simplemente triste.
No fue ni si quiera un desafio sino un atraco como el mismo Kerni el año pasado confeso cuando Emin se separo.
Han estado preparando el combate durante todo un mes Leung, Kerni y buena compania.
No es que William Cheung me sea mas simpatico que Kerni y Leo pero me parese que no teneis ni idea.
Bueno chavalotes del WT ustedes lo quereis pues aqui; lo que piensa y dice Emin sobre el combate en un interviu con la prensa italiana
Let's talk a little about your new federation (EBMAS). Can you please present it to the italian readers and tell us how it's going on in the world?
Emin Boztepe : Presently EBMAS has actual branches in 23 countries. I'm negotiating seminars in 7 more counties, so I think we'll reach 30 in about 7-8 months. On the website
http://www.ebmas.net you can find information about the philosophy of the federation, that is very democratic. It's not a dictatorship like other federations, prices are lower than elsewhere, there are different prices for kids under 14, students, families....everything is much more social. One of the most important things is the teaching of theories behind the movements (while others just teach a set of moves and techniques); I want that everybody understand how much scientific Wing Tzun is.
Can you explain the difference between your Wing Tzun and the Leung Ting one?
Emin Boztepe : As I said before I teach very scientific. LT and K say the same, but in reality almost every instructor in EWTO doesn't know nothing about science behind the movements, or they keep it secret to their students. "My" EBMAS-Wing Tzun is much more clear and honest, and I think this is the way it should be.
Let's talk about rumors about you. It is said that you've never completed the whole unarmed system and that you've never studied the long pole and the butterfly knives....
Emin Boztepe : It's a lie. I've got films of LT teaching me the Long Pole, and papers signed by LT in which it says that he taught me authentic long pole.
I've learned Bart Cham Dao too, but not from Leung Ting.
The point is: I gave an enormous contribution for the expansion of the IWTA, I travelled all around the world and I had many fights; moreover, K is a manager and an organizer and this made the IWTA spread worldwide. Maybe if I was a student of Lok Yu, Wong Sheung Leung or someone else, and if these masters would be able to organize better, ther federation would be this big as well.
LT's WT became international thanks to me and the organizational skills of K, who then used every kind of thing to claim he' got the best WT in the world.
But now the no.1 federation is EBMAS, because I was their best fighter and all the other fighters (who were trained by me in my schools and not by Kernspecht in Langezell) now are with me or left the IWTA / EWTO and Build there own Organization!
We even heard that, since you had not been training with Kernspecht for a long time, you learned some higher level programs from other masters like Sifu Oliver Konig and Sifu Filippo Cuciuffo.
Emin Boztepe : It wasn't me who didn't train with K. K is still my Sifu, he was supposed to teach me, but he didn't. The reason he's very clear: he's afraid of me. Speaking of Konig and Ciciuffo, they only think about money. They don't care about their students and they don't train seriously, so they would be no match against me, any how, who are they anyway!
In some of LT's books and Videos he speaks about a stuff called "Tripodal dummy". Here in Europe nobody has seen it....what about you?
Emin Boztepe : Oh, I saw it many times. It's a useful stuff to train steps, turns and kicks. The poles act like they were opponents the practitioner has to avoid and hit. You can also train with an higher number of poles and even on top of them, moving from one to another forming the shape of a plum flower; this kind of training is useful for the wooden dummy too.
Obviously you can't always have a forest of poles in the floor, but you can still train this kind of movement by practising various kind of steps and turnings.
Is it true that Keith Kernspecht plotted against you from behind?
Emin Boztepe : Yea. He plotted behind my shoulders, giving interviews about me without letting me know, using my pictures to promote himself, paying and controlling european martial arts magazines in order to not showing me on covers. He even blackmailed his own Sifu, Leung Ting, forcing him to expel me from his organization. That's the way Kernspecht moves: from behind. It was because of his blackmailing that Leung Ting is now against me, and my expulsion is the result of Kernspecht's plot. At the 25th anyversery party he put about 15 Seciurity guards to stop me an and start a fight in case I showed up, even Leung Ting called me in my Hotel in Hamburg to Warn me.
Filipo Cucufo, Victor Guiterez and the others where called in a Emergency VIP meeting and didn't do anything to protect me. Really Cheap people isn't it! I Know Kenspecht is quiet to the outside at the moment but he is pushing his Servants to Harm me and the corse of EBMAS, but they will not succeed, K is not even trusting them but the poeple stayed and joined me are with EBMAS and me out of free will and respect!
We are sure that you've heard this question a lot of times, but this one of the most famous event about you: your fight with William Cheung. Even now, twenty years after that fight, it is rumored that you attacked him by treachery and even that he won the fight. Can you tell us something more about this neverending story?
Emin Boztepe : Sadly rumors will never stop....but eighty people can witness what really happened. Some students of William Cheung eventually come with me.
You see how I move, I don't need to attack someone from behind or using any trick. The funny thing is that during this years I always told the same version of the story, while William Cheung and his students always change the story (I attacked him from behind, using a photo as a trick, with a knife, with fifteen people, with a bazooka, with a tank....)!
I say this once for all: I definitely beat William Cheung up. But it's not my enemy! It was an enemy of Leung Ting and Kernspecht, and in that time they used me. They didn't know how good William Cheung was and, not wanting to fight him in person, they sent me, knowing I was so loyal (I was only 22). And even now, they don't care about students but only about money. I know what I say, because I stayed with them for over 20 years, even if I never was one of the toady ones who are the closest to him. I have my dignity and I know I'm in right when I say that Kerspecht is a liar and a profiter. Even his books are not al his idea, he simply took theories and ideas from otherones and published them with his name.
If you could turn back time, would you fight with William Cheung again?
Emin Boztepe : I have to say that sixteen years ago he deserved what he got, cause he was talking bullshit about my family at that time. But he's not a personal enemy of mine: I wish him all the best and an happy and successful life.
Surely now I'd not fight anymore if one would offend Leung Ting and Kernspecht. But I'm ready to fight anyone who would attack me, my family or my students.
What about your relationships with other masters of Wing Tsun Leung Ting?
Emin Boztepe : Oh, I've got a lot of good friends there. Anyway I won't accept in the EBMAS people who are already 5TG; they are masters, they know the wooden dummy form, they have completed the system. They should open their own organization, and I would help them because they are still my kung fu brothers. I didn't betray my family, it betrayed me. Look at here in Italy: Filippo always told he was my brother, but he ordered to his student in Livorno to rip off my posters from the walls. I never had anything against him, I always helped him a lot (without my seminars the technical standard of Italy would be really worse) and he paid me back in this way, forgetting the typical sense of honour of the Italian people.
During one of the last seminars in Livorno with the WTOI, we heard rumors that Sifu Oliver Konig and Sifu Schembri had talked bat about you. Is it true?
Emin Boztepe : I can't believe Sifu Schembri did this. If it's true I'm really troubled and sad, because we've always been friends, I always helped and talked nice about him.
On the other hand, I'm not surprised about Sifu Konig. He's a fat coward and I'm sure that if he was in front of me he would piss in his pants.
Can you speak a little about your new student programs? They are very different from the EWTO ones.
Emin Boztepe : My programs are very much refined. Every successor of a Grandmaster, from Yim Wing Chun to Leung Ting, changed the way of teaching the style. Leung Ting did it too. At first he did it very well, but eventually he was corrupted by Kernspecht. I modified the way of teaching, in order to make it very much refined and useful for the students. Kernspecht has stretched the system, to make the students always look stupid in front of the teacher and to earn more money from them. He also introduced funny and useless things like Blitzdefence, that has nothing to do with WT but it's only useful for Kernspecht's ego and to make him more rich by selling his book. "Blitzdefence" is not his book indeed! According to roumors from the UK it is a Manuscript from Mr. Jeff Thompson who wrote it, Kernspecht just bought the copyright and change the name with "Kernspecht Blitzdefence". Well as the same goes for his Lord, Prof. & Dr. titles they are supposedly al bought with Money. Who is he thinking he is fooling!
My programs are more traditional and effective: not just combinations of techniques, but science and theory behind the movements.
What about Escrima?
Emin Boztepe : For Latosa Escrima I have full support by Grand Master Rene Latosa. He left EWTO too because he saw that Kernspecht didn't have respect for his honour and dignity; he even offered him money trying to stop him from supporting me.
So why do you think Master Bill Newman is still within the EWTO?
Emin Boztepe : Because he's a puppet in the hands of Kernspecht, like Oliver Konig and many else.
We know that in the USA Leung Ting wants to introduce, for the student levels, the study of the Escrima sticks and even a simplified form of the Bart Cham Dao technique....
Emin Boztepe : For 22 years I've been presented as one of the top students by Leung Ting. Now that he expelled me, he had to change his way of teaching and attract students with something I didn't learn from him: the butterfly knives. In order to obtain new schools (he lose a lot of WT students in the USA after he dropped me out) he's even selling 1TG diplomas to people with the 9 student level! Very Sad!
What do you think about the loyalty between master and student?
Emin Boztepe : I think a master should deserve loyalty. Students are loyal only if you show them you are loyal. Kernspecht and Leung Ting don't care about students, they only care about money. And the same is for Kernspecht to-daei's, who stay with him not for loyalty, but only for a matter of money.
I know that many readers will think I'm disrespectful, but they are wrong. I've been fighting for justice for all my life, I was put down so many times for racism, and then I found out that my own Sifu used me for so many years to make money. He didn't make me famous, I made me by myself travelling around the world. Kernspecht didn't make the fight I did, never paid my share to Leung Ting. I've suffered, I lost my papa in an accident, Kernspecht told to the World I'm like his son??? Well this is the way he deals with his Kid's! He wrote down 28 pages of lies about me. And I'm not beeing disrespectfull, it's just the truth, and I have no problem to say it.
Kernspecht would never dare to come in front of me and tell me about all the lies about me he's telling around. Why is he not had a meeting with Leung Ting, Gm Rene Latosa, Bill New Man, Master Steve Tappin and all the Top Ranking Instructors and Me for Open Talks? Well because he had to hide many things. I was the one Offered a meeting for open talks but Kernspecht refused!
We know you are organizing Wing Tzun tournaments. Can you tell us something about it?
Emin Boztepe : Next year we'll start. They will be no rule fights, the end will be only for give up or KO. There will be protection for head, chest and groin, but even with the helmet you will see a lot of KO's.
At first there will be small tournaments in every EBMAS school, which will send the best fighters to the regional and national championships. In 2004 in Los Angeles hopefully there will be the first World Championship, with the support of the best martial arts magazines in the world.
This Turnaments are nt Mendatory, it is for the young fighters to prove them selves and to see which attacks and deffencive moves are working under stress. So we can improve the beginner levels programs much better it is like a Car manyfactorer who is doing Crash tests at the same time as Racing in Formula one to improve ther Skill, Tecnics and so on.
What about your movie career?
Emin Boztepe : Oh, I'm already a star....look, you are interview me! Obviously I'd like to make movies, like everybody else. But if you look at my calendar, my only free days are
Christmas and New Year's Day, I have to travel all around the world....I don't have time to shot a movie. Of course if a famous producer come and say me:- Mr. Emin, here's a leading part for you, we start shooting today-, maybe I would think about it....but for now, my life is Wing Tzun.
Sifu Emin, thank you for the good chat, see you soon.
Emin Boztepe : Thank you. Stefano & Francesco
Stefano Bertone and Francesco Mecucci
Interview with Ivan Zimmel
1. How long have you been practicing martial arts and why did you start?
Emin Boztepe : I've being Practicing Martial Arts since 1976 at age 14. My Late Father made me take Martial Arts Classes, since I was coming home from School always with thrown closes. So, he sad if you fight always at leased defend your self better and don't come home with thrown closes its getting Expansive! So, the rezones I've started the Arts was Self Protection.
2. Why did you finally decide to devote to Wing Tzun and Escrima?
Emin Boztepe : After having studied several different Arts I was looking at age 16 for some thing more Effective than Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Judo, Boxing....In 1980 I find my way to Wing Tzun Kung Fu & Latosa Escrima, I liked the idea and philosophy in this System.
3. You are excellent fighter, it is said that you never lost a fight. Is it true?
Emin Boztepe : Well I never lost a Physical Fight, but I think any kind of Physical fight between two Human beings is a Lost Fight!
4. Recently you have established your own organization EBMAS. Can you tell us more about it?
Emin Boztepe : Yes, EBMAS means Emin Boztepe Martial Arts System. In EBMAS we teach the scientific way of Wing Tzun & Escrima, as it should be toughed to the students and not how a humans interpretation is on the movements rather the Physic of Nature (Taoism / Ying & Yang) Dynamics and Mechanics in order to borrow the opponents Force!
5. So what can we expect from EBMAS?
Emin Boztepe : You can a no Politic making, Democratic set up of ruling the Association. In Each Nation we Split according to there Geographical States, Region Or Provinces and Appoint one Coordinator which will assist in Testing and teaching as well in helping the Instructors to become Professional in Running there Schools. I've Professionals in there Field like Medicine Real Dr. for Physiotherapies, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Psychologies & Security former Special Agent of the FBI, as well Grandmaster Rene Latosa him self and Master Steve Tappin for Europe to Assist and Help me to Establish a real Martial arts Association specialized in Wing Tzun & Latosa Weapon System! We do not and want not put other Martial arts Practitioners and there arts Down, NO! We even like to help them in a good Friendly way to establish long Friendships!
6. In what is Wing Tzun taught by you different from others schools?
Emin Boztepe : As I mentioned above, it will be thought in and with scientific language and principals. But at the same time we won't loose our traditions and past History!
7. How many schools do you have? Have you also schools outside USA and Germany?
Emin Boztepe : Well, I can't really tell you how many school it is now who have signed in to EBMAS since we are a youth Family but it is getting really lot's of attentions and along in 12 weeks in our Web page
http://www.ebmas.net we hade more than 22.000 hits. People like the Idea and Philosophy as well my Person, especially young People who looking for an Idol to find an Orientation for there Future!
8. What are your plans in the Czech Republic?
Emin Boztepe : I think that the Czech Republic and his neighboring Country's have being under suppression for many years and that here is a EBMAS who provides a tool for many young and older Citizens in those Countries go help them self to gain more self esteem and feel Secure in there Every day Life, Since WT is founder wear Two Women about 300 years ago according to Physics of Nature it is to highly effective for the Average Human being. The EBMAS System will be affordable for everyone, we have fit our Price regulations according to the Economical Situation of each EBMAS Country and the Resident of Czech republic if he Travels to the USA or Germany he'll pay the Fee he would pay in his Country, so that makes it affordable and see other EBMAS Family members and without suffering Financially, as well we have Children, Seniors and Young Couples? Families Prices so an entire family or a Retired senior Citizen can Afford EBMAS! As well we start Tournaments Which had not being in the WT system Professionally offered in Latosa Escrima we have Tournaments since over 15 years! For the Younger Generation, as you can see EBMAS really try's to provide almost everyone a realistic Chance to Practice this two Very effective and Educational Systems. Even other Martial artists Benefit from our way of teaching.
9. Do you want to give something to know to our readers?
Emin Boztepe : Yes, Please check out our hoe page
http://www.ebmas.net you'll fond lots of information about us in many different eras and for my other Martial Arts Practitioners please be open minded and give your self a chance to learn and see more, we are not a thread to others only if they him self decide them self uses threads!
Thank you very much.
Emin Boztepe : Thank you too.
KUNG FU’S NATURAL WARRIOR
Emin has been one of martial arts most colourful and controversial characters for over twenty years and since departing from the EWTO we wondered if he has mellowed or still as fiery as ever!
I understand you have formed your own organisation in Europe - what is it called and why?
EMIN BOZTEPE: When I departed from the EWTO I could not use the registered names due to legal reasons and so I simply called it Emin Boztepe Martial Art System (EBMAS). I never
wanted to invent yet another WingTsun name and since many people in Europe know my name it seemed sensible to call it EBMAS. However, please be assured I have ‘not’ created a new style of WingTsun, I am still teaching the traditional style I was taught but I have also progressed it for today's students which includes my ‘Anti - Grappling System’.
I thought your split with the EWTO was going to be quite damaging for WingTsun especially after several letters were published—but then it stopped. What happened was a truce called?
EMIN BOZTEPE: When we first separated a twenty-eight page document of nonsense was published about me and I responded because I felt if a lie was unanswered it could be thought of being the truth and so I replied to their lies. Having had my say I stopped adding fuel to their fire and kept silent for the good of WingTsun. Now everything is looking great for the future.
So the problems are gone?
EMIN BOZTEPE : Unfortunately there are people in England (we know who they are) who are attacking their instructors who have left them to join us or go independent. They are threatening to send people to take over their clubs or they call students up saying classes are cancelled or they call the premises and tell lies about the conduct of the instructors. This behaviour is childish, spiteful and cowardly, this is the one of the reasons for the split last year and why these instructors are leaving now.
One of the qualities of martial arts is the confidence to stand up to bullies and that’s what we are doing. I once heard a quote that seems to fit today’s problems “Evil thrives when good men do nothing” we are looking after the little guys we are not doing nothing, we are providing a good home for martial artists who want to study a great WingTsun system with EBMAS, that does not hold back lessons or information unless large amounts of money is paid. I want value for money for my students and I will ensure that my instructors get the lessons they require to teach their students. I know the frustration when only a few favourites get taught the programmes whilst others get nothing because their bank balance is not so big.
This behaviour is still going on in England?
EMIN BOZTEPE: Only a few insecure people are doing this but it makes you think about their mentality, how comes a teacher is great and useful to an organisation but the minute he leaves he is perceived by the same organisation as someone with no qualifications. It just gives you an idea of how they think - perhaps its because they do not benefit financially or can no longer control them. This is their idea of martial arts - its so sad as only the students lose.
So what can we expect from your EBMAS?
EMIN BOZTEPE : As my friend and partner in Europe Steve Tappin states “We offer an honest and direct system” we have tradition we have progress and we have a variety of programmes to accommodate all interests. For instance we have an instructor programme to ensure the standard for our students growth. We have stopped this expectation that you turn up and get a grade even if you don’t deserve it. We want you to earn your grades not be given them. We want to inspire confidence and truth. When I enter a seminar I see students, potential instructors and present instructors. I don’t see them as money, I see them as part of my family and I want the best for them.
I have police and security programmes including opportunities to work with people who were part of the FBI. We offer knowledge in sports science, health and self-defence. For those that are interested we have anti-grappling and tournaments. Finally, we teach Escrima as taught by Grandmaster Rene Latosa
and his assistant Steve Tappin and I consider myself very lucky to be able to work with these guys as they are well liked, very humble and knowledgeable instructors that have been teaching throughout the world for many years. Our students are very lucky to benefit from their expertise. I know I love my Escrima and am very proud to say that I hold a 4th Technical Instructor Grade examined by GM Rene Latosa over eighteen years.
I agree that you do seem to have everything a student wants from a system. With Escrima you are still connected to the roots of your Escrima by having GM Rene Latosa head the system. But how do you respond to suggestions that you now have no roots to WingTsun since your departure?
EMIN BOZTEPE : A very good point and something that deserves an answer. I’ll start by saying that I have been the most high profile teacher for the EWTO apart from the Grandmasters. I gave the most seminars, I travelled the most and I had the most contact with the bosses throughout this time. I was, in fact, their main marketing campaigner for many years. Do you really think this would happen if I could not teach or understand WingTsun? Taking into consideration the amount of positive propaganda written on me for years by the EWTO - do you think this would be done if I had no roots?
Over the years I have learnt from various sources everything from all the traditional student grades right through the instructor grades including all weapon and wooden dummy sections. I have dedicated several hours almost every day of my life for over twenty years to WingTsun and helped promote it throughout the world. I have even learned new languages to achieve this. I must admit that some of the new ideas that the EWTO have introduced to WingTsun I do not teach as they are not really about WingTsun and diversify from the real art. Its progression for the sake of it to sell a few books.
Lets now analyse the roots. Can you say that Leung Ting is teaching traditional WingTsun in the EWTO? The EWTO is run by Keith Kernspecht who years ago invented the Lat Sao programmes and more recently the Blitz programme - please tell me what this has to do with the roots of WingTsun where did GM Yip Man teach this?
So when you ask about the roots I think I am more traditional and honest than most systems of WingTsun. I think GM Yip Man would be more proud of my students than some others could claim.
Another thought on the roots - eventually all roots die and a new generation continues. GM Yip Man is sadly gone from us but WingTsun continued. If Leung Ting retired tomorrow would Keith Kernspecht’s knowledge be questioned? I think not. Therefore, why should my years of WingTsun be questioned. I worked twice as hard, everyday, than most people so my journey was more involved, twice the work twice the input. Some people use years just to claim that they are good but they did not travel the same journey or put the same effort into it as I and some others did. I know that I have enough knowledge to see me through the next twenty years and I know I will continue to grow as a person too.
So you are obviously happy about being alone and independent now?
EMIN BOZTEPE : Well I am not alone I have many good instructors and many students and I have friends and family and good sensible and reliable people like GM Rene Latosa with me so I am not alone. If you mean alone because I parted from the EWTO family then perhaps I was more alone when I was part of them than I am now as the jealousy and greed was all around me. Their true colours are finally showing. But even in the good times I was always independent nobody paid my bills or fought my fights and as everyone knows a mans future is in his own hands and I gladly embrace my new path in life. I will continue to teach martial arts that has been a part of my life for twenty-seven years. Many years ago Bruce Lee was criticised and forced to leave his Wing Chun/WingTsun family due to the jealousy and greed of other members of the clan and GM Yip Man was forced to stop teaching him. History repeats itself and what I learn from history is that you don’t let negative influences ruin your life. It never ruined Bruce Lee’s faith and it will not ruin mine. People will forget the problems in time and judge the man.
I see you are still passionate about your art, so tell me a bit about your views on WingTsun.
EMIN BOZTEPE: For me everything in my WingTsun is very logical it’s a multi-level art that is prepared for all phases of fighting - long - distance kicks, hands, knees, elbows, throws and ground fighting. This is to ensure that we can defend against all kinds of opponents in all environments. The WingTsun I teach is very economical and you’re more protected in the way you fight in our style. I know the importance of giving people confidence and when you can protect your body, especially the vital organs, as you learn to deal with your aggressor, then you instil that much needed confidence. It is the most natural system for everyone from all walks of life. When taught well anyone can progress. I get immense pleasure in seeing people grow and improve as it motivates me and reassures me that what I teach is needed and very good. I carry a passion for WingTsun and I think people feel this when I teach and they feed of it and so this feeling continues throughout the system.
I must admit that I like what I’m hearing about your martial arts - but you are also known as a fighter.
EMIN BOZTEPE : I have been a fighter all my life, like many other people in the world, I have stood up and fought against prejudice, racism, liars and bullies and I have defended my art. In my younger days I was perhaps quicker to judge and respond to incidents and I was perhaps manipulated and influenced by others but we all go through this learning process and now I can rise above most things and deal with any problems with more maturity and humour. Life is too short for problems and fighting - its more fun to educate and train with people and share time with your family, friends and students than get caught up with fighting and politics.
You sound very focused.
EMIN BOZTEPE: I am, I like where I am and where I’m going. Nothing stays the same and I take advantage of change. My instructors and students welcome the change too, they have an energy around them that is contagious - people are working, laughing, sweating (a dying art in some WingTsun schools) and learning. We are all very focused on the future and we are extremely honest and loyal to each other. You know loyalty and respect has many forms - from me to my teacher, him to me, my students to him and him to them. Too many people forget this and think it’s a one way deal.
“I get immense pleasure in seeing people grow and improve as it motivates me and reassures me that what I teach is needed and very good.”
That’s a healthy attitude that is sadly forgotten by many people. Do you think ego is the ruin of many good men?
EMIN BOZTEPE: I think most people go through this phase in life - the key is to recognise it and get through it. As we grow we are proud of our achievements, our first black belt or our first club. Then we create black belts who in turn open new clubs perhaps ego is part of pride but some peoples ego is from their own mind - they become legends in their own minds - they want to control others and refuse to share the lime-light. For some people respect is money, titles or trophies. A few have all these bad qualities. For me respect is earned not demanded - this kind of respect is long lasting and honest. Everyone should be encouraged to grow and one-day you have to accept that your students may become more successful than yourself. This should be seen as a complement not a threat otherwise why do we teach? Many top Grandmasters and Masters do not accept this in the martial arts. I believe we must teach everything we know - we actually learn more the more we give away and more importantly the system will survive.
Talking about teaching, since you teach mainly in Europe and the USA do you feel that your students need to go to China to develop their skills in WingTsun?
EMIN BOZTEPE: At one time this may have been necessary and encouraged, I myself have been there. I think now that nearly all martial arts have been firmly established in the western world and it may be that for some it is still necessary to travel to the country of origin. But to me nowadays the origin of a nationality of an instructor is not important. What matters is that the instructor has a good education in his art and has overcome his personal weaknesses of ego, greed and jealousy and that he educates his students to the best of his ability. I have no problems with my students having a look round as it is part of their personal journey and it helps them keep an open mind which is a quality I encourage.
Often with an open mind things change, concerning martial arts, is this a good thing?
EMIN BOZTEPE: Change for change sake may not be good but change for the benefit of others must be good But what is it that changes - the art, the person, both or is it that as a person grows he understands more about his art and so a change is seen but does it mean the art has changed? This kind of change increases with maturity, technical evolution, experience, perception and understanding of your art. You often have to adapt and improvise your lessens as your students are not robots or clones and so you must cater for this. I believe the way for learning is by doing it worked for me - helped by good instruction. When I was young it was all very physical now I’m interested in philosophy and I read more and more to better myself. This has brought out the sensitive side of my personality something I hid from when I was young.
What motivates you?
EMIN BOZTEPE: Many things such as family and friends but concerning martial arts its changed for me. When I was young in my particular circumstances it was about fighting and learning about myself, as I got deeper into the art I changed. Now martial arts are not a way of life - it is my life - and that’s what motivates me most.
Thank you.
EMIN BOZTEPPE: Thank you too.
Aver voy a probar a ser educado y aunque mas de uno de ustedes me esta continuamente insultando no me voy a bajar otra vez a vuestro nivel, ni voi a hablar de mi, hay bastante basura en el WT!
Saludos amigos
Pai Lee