Michael Franklyn, Sifu
"I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Master Paul Whitrod for teaching me the Chow Gar Southern Praying Mantis System." Michael Franklyn, Sifu
Michael Franklyn's training in Martial Arts started in 1978 with Wado Ryu Karate under Sensei Yoshi Shinohara, where he reached Brown Belt. In 1982 he wanted to broaden his martial art skills, and try Kung Fu, and attended Sifu Tony Leung's Temple School, where he learned both Hung Gar Kung Fu and Steel Wire Mantis.
His training in Chow Gar Praying Mantis Kung Fu started in 1984 after he saw an advert of Sifu Paul Whitrod for traditional Chow Gar Praying Mantis Kung Fu. He remembers his first lesson vividly, and was totally amazed at the Gen (shock) power, strength, speed and conditioning of the Chow Gar Praying Mantis system. This was like nothing he had ever seen or encountered before. He trained 4 times a week, as well as his own daily personal training.
In 1989 Sifu Whitrod, asked him to teach Chow Gar Praying Mantis Kung Fu. Since then he has continued to teach in the Essex area, and indeed some of his students have been granted the title of "Sifu" and now teach. It is said that the mark of a Sifu's ability and skill should not be judged on his or her abilities, but on the skills, ability and aptitude of his or her students.
Sifu Franklyn has been fortunate to travel to Hong Kong and train there with the late Great-Grandmaster Ip Shui and Grandmaster Ip Chee Keung. Training would often be on a daily basis - the first such session usually soon after landing - for 3/4 hours at the home of Grandmaster Ip Shui. Sifu Franklyn had also been extremely fortunate to witness Great-Grandmaster Ip Chui perform Wafu - this is a special healing skill, using only mantra prayers and a brush and water. Great-Grandmaster was one of the last to practice this unique and special skill (a video clip of this being performed can be found here) until he sadly passed away on 27 April 2004.
Sifu Franklyn has been studying and practicing Chow Gar Praying Mantis Kung Fu for well over 20yrs, and has demonstrated this unique fighting system, not only in the UK at such events as the Chinese New Year celebrations in Chinatown, but also abroad on numerous occasions. He also appeared on London Weekend Television's lunchtime news programme demonstrating this unique style of kung fu.
He is currently studying Tai Chi, and his future plans include studying the ancient Indian fighting art of Kalarippayatta, which is practiced in Kerala south India, and parts of Tamil Nadu.