The Chinese have a saying: He Xiang Jiu Tian - White Crane soars to the highest ninth level.
This saying now applies to local homegrown martial arts master Ron Goninan following a recent promotion awarded him from Hong Kong in China.
In a process that took more than two years, local martial arts veteran Ron Goninan was judged by the World Organisation of Wushu Kung Fu Masters Martial Duan Jury to be the only westerner ever recognised as the ‘founder’of his own form of martial arts by the senior masters in China, the birthplace of Kung Fu.
The jury, which consists of some of the most respected martial arts masters in the world today, appraised the qualifications of Goninan including his experiences of practicing Chinese martial arts, accomplishments and achievements, Wushu moral accomplishments and ethics, his contributions towards the martial arts worldwide and examinations in skills and theories.
Goninan was awarded the rank of Grandmaster/Founder Ninth Duan at a special gathering in Hong Kong on February 15.
It was at this special meeting that the masters decided to recognise Mr Goninan with the award of Grandmaster/Founder, lifetime membership, a special one-off gold medallion rank.
In addition, Mr Goninan featured in a special full-colour, glossy, 137-page book to commemorate the occasion.
“I’m a grey-haired, slightly overweight, old guy, so there’s nothing special about me,” Mr Goninan said.
“What is special is the art I have created. I’ve reverse-engineered White Crane Gongfu taking it back to its core concepts, meaning and techniques to make it a viable, living, breathing and practical form of life-protection.
“By looking to the past we can create towards the future. That’s what I’ve done and that’s what this award is for,” he said.
“I’ve been given a powerful permission, recognition and tool by the Chinese masters - the power to innovate, to create, to take forward the martial arts.”
Mr Goninan said most people spent their whole lives following someone else.
“They never truly stand-up for themselves, what they want or who they want to be,” he said.
“They deny their own innate and natural creativity.
“That’s not my way.
“That’s not the true message and empowerment that the martial arts offers.
“Rather than walking a path made for me by someone who never knew me, I prefer to walk my own path,” Mr Goninan said.
“In addition, my school is very proud to announce that world famous White Crane Master Lee Kong has agreed to accept the position of Honorary President of the White Crane Research Institute Inc and the Wu He Dao Zhan Pai White Crane Gongfu style,” he said.
If you are interested in classes then please feel free contact Mr Goninan on 6845 2846 or the web: www.whitecrane
gongfu.com