Hong Kong Standard Annice's Cover Story

Hong Kong Standard Annice's Cover Story

Annice in Po Leung Kuk Tan Siu Lin Primary School's dojo

"Making all the right moves" 25 March,2000

STORY by JOHANNA LIEFJE HUNG

Hong Kong Standard-Job Market(Job success)

Meet Hong Kong's first lady in karatedo. Former champion Annice Chiu has made a flourishing career out of training future champions. She shows how a man's sport can be a woman's inspiration.

MANY have made a career out of what started out as a passing interest or pastime, and this is exactly what karatedo expert Annise Chiu has done, with resounding success.

The former karatedo champion should be an inspiration to any woman who likes the idea of being self-employed and being closer to her family. Ms Chiu has embraced the sport and made it her full-time career, allowing her to be her own boss while enjoying a more deeply rewarding life as a wife and a mother.

How Ms Chiu came to be attracted to karatedo in the first place makes an interesting story. It was sparked by an unpleasant experience she had had several years ago. "I had this scary thing happen to me, and that's when I decided to go for karatedo classes,"Ms Chiu says. One evening she and her boyfriend, now her ex-husband, were out on a date when they were accosted by a gang of menacing youngsters. Ms Chiu recalls feeling helpless and dangerously threatened, and wishing she had some self-defence skills. Within days of the incident she had enrolled for martial arts classes.

SPORTS AND CAREER

The classes went well, and Ms Chiu found she was enjoying herself. As she honed her skills, her interest in karatedo deepened, and before long she was taking part in tournaments, and excelling in them. In 1985, she won the championship in Hong Kong's first karatedo free sparring competition.

She was invited by the then Royal Hong Kong Police Club to hold karatedo and self-defence classes, and soon her schedule started filling up with jobs as a part-time coach at schools and health clubs. Eventually, she formed her own self-defence consultancy, Karatedo Jintak-Kan.

Ms Chiu, who completed an MBA in business management studies four years ago, says the knowledge has come in useful in her karatedo promotion work. "The training's been a great help in running my management consultancy business, and also in promoting karatedo in Hong Kong,"she says.

Ms Chiu has created a Web page for her Karatedo Jintak-Kan group. She also teaches her students to make their own home pages and link them to hers.

"I advise students who want to take up sports as a career to aim for a balance between academic work and sports training. By creating their own home pages they learn to organise their thoughts, communicate with others and get a better understanding of themselves. Your life as an athlete is comparatively short. But if you have learnt to communicate, you have gained an important asset for a future as a coach."

"In fact, I have introduced various initiatives to create long-term prospects for my students. I encourage them to take up coaching when they reach brown belt standard."

Not surprisingly, two of Ms Chiu's assistants in the primary school training sessions are her two sons, Alfred (12) and Anson (7). Anson, incidentally, was the youngest black belt in Hong Kong when he earned the title at the tender age of five-and-a-half.

Ms Chiu's concern for her students extends beyond the karatedo classes."Whenever they have a tournament coming up, I hold special psyching-out sessions to prepare them mentally for the challenge. And during the summer holidays, I hold classes to show students how to use the Internet."

Not a lot of people like to take on the responsibility of teaching young children. To follow a child's full development could mean a commitment of up to 10 years or more, and that takes patience. In Ms Chiu's case the task is a joy, not a chore.

ABOUT KARATEDO

KARATEDO is both a self-defence art and a spiritual exercise. It is based on an ancient Chinese martial art that originated in Shaolin and was brought Okinawa, Japan, where it was further developed. The founder of "Gojuryu" is Sensei Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953). "Gojuryu" means "the way of the hard and the soft": "Go" implies hard, "ju" soft, and "ryu" the way. Hard techniques require the use of body strength and muscular tension. Soft techniques require minimal use of muscular tension, and are usually combined with body motion. Hard and soft techniques are combined to form a complete fighting system that can be adapted to serve different situations.

The Karatedo Jintak-Kan (JTK) group is managed by Pro Strategy Consultants (HK) Ltd, which is owned by Master Annice W L Chiu. JTK has been in operation since 1991. Master Chiu, who has more than 11 years of teaching experience in youth karatedo, has seen her students grow from childhood to adulthood.

SPORTS AND SAFETY

JobMarket Success visited a primary school one afternoon to see Ms Chiu and her assistants in action. It was impressive to note how attentive the children were. Most primary school teachers have a hard time holding the attention of very young children. It seemed almost as if the children sensed how important the class was for their future, and were therefore giving the teacher their fullest attention.

"Parents of today realise the importance of health and fitness, and are sending their children for sports sessions after school. Also, they feel reassured by the safe environment such classes offer," Ms Chiu pointed out.

Apart from karatedo skill drills, Ms Chiu also teaches free sparring (known as kumite in Japanese). "Most sports help you to build up your speed, power and endurance. In karatedo free sparring, you boost your confidence and courage through quick thinking and fast judgement. Body language, and a fast eye, can play an important part in defeating your opponent.

"All possible safety measures are taken in the karatedo free sparring drills. We make sure the students are well protected. They wear face masks, a chest guard and gloves. Their partners are also carefully chosen, so they are evenly matched," Ms Chiu says.

The coach says the sport emphasises both muscle and emotional control. "For example, you cannot hit your rival in the face, and your punch should stop three inches short of the nose. This kind of muscle and emotional control can make great demands on the player. It takes a lot of discipline."

SPORTS AND FEMININITY

There are ABOUT only five women karatedo masters in Hong Kong, and of this handful Ms Chiu is the only one to run a dojo or karatedo association. Anyone who meets Ms Chiu would be struck by her gentle, essentially feminine personality. She may be a karatedo exponent, but there is not a hint of aggressiveness in her style. Is her femininity a setback in any way in her chosen career? Ms Chiu recalls that when she was setting up her own dojo, and establishing herself as a dojo master, she did sometimes experience the "cold shoulder" treatment from others.

Certainly, this is traditionally a man's sport. It takes a lot of hard work for a woman to convince people they can do it. You have to prove yourself to overcome prejudice."

Ms Chiu takes care to preserve her femininity and project a feminine persona. She grows her hair long, and her gestures and mannerisms are gentle. This creates a good impression with people and students she is meeting for the first time, she says. "They are extra impressed when they see your karatedo skills, because of the contrast between how you look and what you can do. Their confidence in you is even stronger."

" I tell my students that whether it's a competition or everyday life, they should think positive. A positive mindset is of the greatest importance, and you should try to preserve it at all times."

SPORTS AND THE ACADEMIC LIFE

Ms Chiu believes that karatedo is a sport that boosts positive thinking. "Through the exercises, you learn to take risks and build up your confidence."

"For my MBA graduation thesis, I did research on karatedo management in the United States, Japan and China. One of the topics I focused on was the relationship between sports and the academic life. There's proof that sports does help in the development of a child's brain. The children do better in their school work. Sports can actually enhance a child's intelligence".

SPORTS AND THE FAMILY

Ms Chiu also taught her Filipino domestic helper, Richel, karatedo. "My friends think I'm crazy practising my karatedo chops!" says Richel. "But it's fun. I enjoy it very much."

Richel recalls with a giggle how when she first joined the Chiu household she was alarmed to see the two boys Alfred and Anson constantly " at each other".

" I thought they were fighting all the time. Actually they were doing their karatedo drills. And when I learnt to karatedo myself, they had a lot more respect for me! Now I feel I'm part of the family."Richel, who used to be a midwife back in the Philippines, adds that karatedo is a good way to stay in shape.

Ms Chiu is also very happy that her career in karatedo gives her flexibility and time to spend with her family. "We all practise karatedo, including my husband. It's like a common language! And I get to see my sons even more, now that they're my coaching assistants."

Indeed, it can be a deeply rewarding and enriching experience when a parent and a child share a common interest. Certainly it strengthens the parent-child relationship.

Balancing time between work and family is no great problem, Ms Chiu says." I'm privileged to have the flexibility, since it's my own business. But the long hours, especially when I coach on weekends, also means I have to plan well ahead and use my time sensibly between work, classes and family demands."

AWARD-STUDDED CAREER

ANNICE W L Chiu, who has a Masters in Business Administration (MBA), was Hong Kong's first Karatedo Lady Champion. She is also director and examiner of the Jintak-Kan Karatedo (HK) Dojo. Chiu has 19 years of karatedo experience, and was assessed as a level 2 coach under the Hong Kong coach accreditation program.

In 1989, Chiu was appointed as Instructor to the Royal Hong Kong Police Karatedo Club, a post she held for three years. Since then, she has been invited to serve as karatedo instructor for various institutes and health and sports clubs.

In recognition of her contribution to the art of karatedo in Hong Kong, Ms Chiu was appointed as tournament council chairman by the Amateur Karatedo Association (HKAKA) in 1992. She is currently secretary general of the HKAKA.

Chiu's achievements over the past nine years include: Training and developing a Bronze Medal holder in the Asian Karatedo Federation Championship (AUKO4) 99, 1-5th Place in the AFK (AUKO4), 1-8th place in AUKO junior (AUKO4), 11 Hong Kong Champions (youth and adult), 10-1st runner up and 16-2nd runner up. (For the latest information, please refer to Coach Resume)

Ms Chiu's students have won a total of 37 awards in karatedo, and she has trained three Asian-ranking performers in the past nine years.

Ms Chiu also holds a position as Far East marketing director for a management consultancy firm based in Hong Kong.

作積極正面出擊 - 25 March,2000

本期走訪本港首屆女子空手道冠軍趙慧玲，來分享她如何從一份習練空手道的興趣中，開拓自己的事業；一份傳統的男性運動與教練角色，可以是女性的靈感與嶄新演繹體驗。

正如許多創業人士一樣，趙慧玲也是從一份興趣展開她的事業。事緣多年前，趙氏與她的男友，亦即現任丈夫(編者按: 現在應是前任丈夫)，出外約會時，遇上好幾個不懷好意的年青人，施以威嚇。事後，趙氏萌起習練自衛術。

運動與事業

趙氏遂開始隨師，習練空手道來。興趣愈濃之下，趙氏更開始參加公開賽，成績彪炳。一九八五年，趙氏更成為第一屆香港女子空手道冠軍。更於過去十年，開始從事業餘式的空手道教練工作，例如，於香港警察空手道會當教練，逐漸於香港多家中、小學、體育會等任教。

四年前，趙氏完成一項商管碩士課程，『這有助於我打理管理顧問服務公司之外，更可推廣及發展空手道在香港的發展。』

運動與培育幼苗

剛柔流空手道正德館 (香港) 道場由趙氏於十年前一手創立。除了教授空手道外，趙氏更教導學生編寫自己的網頁，並與其主頁連上。『這樣，他們可以籍此與別人溝通分享一些心路歷程、所見所聞。』大概這也是一個機會與過程，多了解認識自我。

趙氏了解到運動員比賽生涯有限，鼓勵她的學生也要平衡學術上的追求，更編創了一些助教的指標，讓學生達到一定程度的技術時，嘗試新的領域。『在他們考取啡帶後，便鼓勵他們作助教。這有助他們日後以運動作終身職業時的一份出路準備。同時也培養多方面的才能，例如：溝通、領導、計劃、以身作則‧‧‧等。』

筆者訪問那天，正值趙氏於一小學內舉行空手道興趣，班上二十多個一、二年級的小孩子正在作套拳的練習。遇上趙氏幾名助教，經介紹後，才知道其中兩位小伙子為趙氏的兒子，十二歲唸中一、彬彬有禮的Alfred、及現年纔七歲，其於五歲半便已是全港最年輕的黑帶者 Anson。

趙氏坦言，不少教練對培訓小朋友，興趣不大。『畢竟，要花十年八載的時間，才見到成就。我卻享受著看著他們成長、與他們一同經歷。』趙氏不諱言『當中建立的深厚情誼、看著仔他們成熟，為我帶來無比的欣喜、滿足感、也是工作上的成就。』當然，趙氏的培訓成績，有目共睹：一名亞太區銅牌得主，十一名香港少年及成人組別冠軍、九名亞軍、十六名季軍。 (按: 最新數字請參考教練資歷)

運動與安全

『現代父母多認同健康體魄的重要性，』趙氏表示近兩年的經濟不景，並沒有影響到學藝人數，大概與父母疼愛孩子的表現有關。安全的學習環境也是令父母安心的要素。『與其他運動一樣，除了訓練速度、力量、耐力等原素外，空手道可透過對打中，克服恐懼培養信心、快速思考與判斷力。因此也非常重視安全措施。』眼見的面罩、護甲、拳套，是對打中不可缺的裝備。最後，為學生配搭技術程度相若的對手，也是不容忽視的。『這項運動也有嚴格的對打規定，例如不能直接擊打面部，出手的控制要掌握得恰到好處，所謂點到即止的意思。故此，對培養學生肌肉及情緒兩方面的紀律要求，甚為嚴謹。』

『對打中，身體語言所表達的心理狀態，就算是一個眼神，足以構成勝負的關鍵。』故趙氏也教導比賽用作心理、意識準備，鼓勵學生正面、積極的思想狀態。

運動與女性

現時，香港約有五名女性空手道教練，而趙氏是唯一一位創立自己道場者。問及她身為女性而從事這份工作，可有難處？『絕對有!』趙氏斬釘截鐵地回應。『特別是起步的時候，傳統的思想影響下，少不免得不到信任和能力的認同。唯有少說話、多做事。』多年的默默耕耘，終被肯定和認同。

束留一頭長長秀髮的趙氏，外表斯文大方，完全看不出動態的一面。『這是我刻意保留的形象來的。一方面，能令學生的第一印象深刻 ─ 怎麼原來師傅文靜的外表下，原來技藝深藏不露 ─ 對你建立良好信心。』不止於此，『最重要的不是外表，始終是你的意識形態、心理自信。我常對學生說，無論是比賽或生活，當擁有一份正面、積極的願觀。』

運動與學術

趙氏也深信運動與腦筋靈活的正面關係，在她探討中、港、美、日，四地的空手道管理畢業論文裡，討論到兩者的關係。簡單來說，習練武術時，因為四肢活動令大腦產生新的知識回路，有助記憶及學習新事物等功能，再配合相應的學習，使大腦發達，聰明起來。換句話說：文武雙全，有助於頭腦聰明。

運動與家庭

所謂愛屋及烏，趙氏更教授她的菲籍女傭 Richel 習練空手道。『朋輩們都以為我瘋了，竟然迷上了空手道。習練這項運動，我樂極了！』Richel 更分享了好處、趣事多的是：『初到這家庭工作時，不時遇上兩個孩子『切磋』武藝而不知所措，害怕他們誤傷對方。習空手道後便知道他們在幹什麼，彼此多了份了解、信任，他們對我更為尊重呢！』當然，最直接的得益，是保持身段健美吧。

這份喻興趣於事業的工作，趙氏感到特別欣慰的，是那份彈性與自由度，讓她兼顧事業與家庭。『當然，要在密麻麻的授徒時間、管理顧問公司業務、還有籌劃有關香港業餘空手道總會(按: 現為香港空手道總會有限公司)的義務工作，總要小心妥善安排時間，善用一些空隙時段，於家庭、事業求取平衡。』

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