Chief instructor Michael Poti told MmegiSport that they have relocated from Kyokushin Kenbukaikan and joined Qwan Ki Do. The Qwan leadership comprises Vo Su Theophile Akoman from France, Giam Su Marcello from Italy and Minh Su Bertrand from Belgium. He said Qwan Ki Do is an affiliate of the Botswana All Budo Styles Association (BABUSA). “It will be the first time that Qwan Ki Do is practised in Botswana, hence its leadership found it necessary to visit us. From February 5 to 8, there will be a seminar. Qwan Ki Do includes stances, punches, kicks, throws, holds and many other techniques. Weapon moves include the traditional sword art of Viet Lon Guom,” Poti said. He said Master Bertrand Guinziemba turned Qwan Ki Do into an international mission. Poti explained that they are following in the footsteps of Guinziemba, who has never stopped dedicating himself to martial arts, transforming a simple need for self-defence into a true lifelong vocation. “With more than 40 years of practice and a journey that embraces judo, Shotokan karate, Taekwondo, and full contact. He developed a broad and profound vision of martial arts, seeing them not only as a path to personal growth and inner discipline. This are the principles that we embrace and will teach our students,” he said. His discovery of Qwan Ki Do in 1986, at the University of Science and Technology of Masuku, marked a decisive turning point. Today, as a sixth Dang, Guinziemba is recognised as one of the leading ambassadors of the Long Phai traditional Kung Fu school, which he teaches across Europe and beyond.
Poti said the first few days of the seminar would be dedicated to training of Qwan Ki Do members, which includes a workshop for referees and judges. He said the sessions would also see the visiting masters doing some demonstrations. Poti said the rest of the days will be open to other BABUSA styles, and other karate styles will be allowed for the training sessions. “Qwan Ki Do is a new baby in the mixed martial arts scene in our country, but it is an old Vietnamese tradition. We are pulling all the stops to make it a success. BABUSA leadership are supportive,” Poti said.
