Inducted into the A.M.A.H.O.F. (Inc) and W.K.U.H.O.F. for 2023
Continual Excellence and Service to the Australasian Martial Arts Community
In the mid-1970s he started Judo, first at Bishopdale Community Centre, then at Bryndwr YMCA with instructor Lindsay Holmes.
In the early 1980s he trained under the late Sifu Ken Gemmell in Kempo Karate/Gongfu.
He found his place in Tai chi chuan, Baguazhang and Qigong, under the teaching of Master Hu Loo-Chi.
He began teaching Tai chi and Qigong as Shifu in 1986; in the beginning he learnt from a health and Martial Arts perspective, then was encouraged to try Wushu competition. He enjoyed this very much and in 2009 was accepted into the New Zealand Wushu Team. He attained several gold and silver medals for New Zealand competing in various Australian, Oceania, and three World Wushu championships in China.
He regards his Wushu journey as a way of life, to help people help themselves, through passing on what he has learnt over the years.
David is always looking for different ways to make a difference and promote the benefits of the art, be it workshops, public demonstrations, school talks and seminars for different organisations.
In 2019 he broke the world record for Tai Chi Longest Marathon, 30 hours 15 minutes to raise money for the South Canterbury Cancer Society.
His hobbies include the art of bonsai, hand drumming, tramping, nature and riding his Triumph Bonneville.
Hopefully in his lifetime if he can contribute even in a small way to make the world a better place, it will make him a happy person.