Master Bill Chun, Jr. Seminar

2001 Gathering of Eagles

On August 8-12, 2001, the Gathering of Eagles took place in Las Vegas, Nevada.  The Gathering was the biggest event of predominantly Kenpo/Kempo lineages ever held.  One of the more prestigious teachers at the Gathering of Eagles was Master Bill Chun, Jr. who was representing the Go Shin Jitsu Kai/Chinese Kempo of his dad, Grandmaster Bill Chun, Sr. and Professor William K.S. Chow.  Master Chun Jr's seminars were a wonderful experience for all who were lucky enough to fit in the room and learn.  Many aspects of the Go Shin Jitsu Kai/Chinese Kempo Art, commonly referred to as the Chow/Chun system, were taught.  One of these was the foundation and power development of the system.  You truly had to feel it to believe it.  Gone was the hip torque characteristics of most other Kenpo/Kempo systems, yet the power was equal or greater than anything they have produced. 

One of the highlights of the seminar for the Nick Cerio's Kenpo group was at the end of the seminar.  Upon completion, there was a rush of people going for their cameras and already a lengthy line was forming to have their pictures taken.  The Nick Cerio's Kenpo group quietly moved off to the side so as not to be in the way and to wait their turn.  As the first group was forming around Master Chun, Jr. to have their picture taken, Master Chun looked over to his right and noticed the NCK group waiting patiently.  He then asked, "Are you Cerio?" as he pointed to the group.  The group acknowledged that they were students and representatives of the late Professor Nick Cerio.  With that answer, Master Chun, Jr. politely but quickly cleared away the people who had gathered around and insisted that the NCK group be the first people to have their pictures taken with him.  It was a very humbling and profound moment as the NCK group experienced, for the first time, how Master Chun, Jr. felt about Professor Nick Cerio.