The Martial Edge team were out in force at the weekend as we were in fine form at the first MAF festival held in Leicester and we were all touched by the hand of Gok Wan...
The martial arts movers and shakers came out to play this weekend as we all converged to Leicester for the first MAF martial arts festival held in Parklands leisure centre in Oadby and of course, Martial Edge were there all weekend to dance with the best of them. Hosted by Kwoklyn Wan, the event was a smaller festival than the other expo we all had in our minds but was a much friendlier and less money-oriented affair which made it much more of a coming together of martial artists and martial arts businesses rather than people walking around saying, “show me the money!”
There was a good selection of stalls available for visitors to buy equipment and pick up details about various martial arts services and also the opportunity to meet celebrated martial artists such as Chris Crudelli, Zara Phythian, Silvio Simac, Jamie Clubb and Iain Abernethy. Oh, and not forgetting Strike and bizarrely Gok Wan, of ‘How to Look Good Naked’ fame, who happens to be the organiser’s brother.
Martial Edge and MAI were there all weekend with the ME team doing a very good job of promoting our Rising Stars campaign, there was no leaf or leaflet left unturned as everyone had a pamphlet thrust at them, even the bathroom wasn’t safe for those who had not yet been Martial Edged. Judging by the quality of demonstrations that were on all weekend, there will be lots of Rising Stars wanting to sign up for readers to vote for and the quality looks to be very high.
Some Rising Stars who we hope will certainly be appearing soon on Martial Edge were the Strike team who held demonstrations and seminars all weekend. Young girls hearts were afluttering as the acrobatic young men twirled and twisted around the mat and ripped their vests off. Always on the ball, Lesley caught one of their vests and much to the disappointment of the younger and prettier members of the audience, has now got a good duster to clean her apartment with. Pete and Jason were equally star struck as they managed to have their pictures taken with Gok Wan, and then pretended that they weren’t at all affected by it and are in fact, absolutely cool with meeting people off the telly.
Some of the most colourful and loudest demonstrations were the Chinese martial arts groups with their dragons, lions and wushu with the British wushu team giving a fantastic performance on Sunday, with also interesting demonstrations being given by kendo and even some real life Vikings in presence. Lesley joined in one of Zara Phythian’s workshops about her Total Combat Fighting System and was impressed by the petite and delicate martial artist and that although reaching media recognition and acclaim for her martial arts, is also a good instructor as well and took the time to pose for a picture with Lesley as well. The workshop was a good workout and Lesley also discovered that it really isn’t possible to do a high turning kick with a pair of skinny jeans on.
Overall, the Martial Arts Festival was a successful weekend with a combination of fun and variety of stalls and events, keep it up chaps and let’s hope that the next one will be even better and if you are there, come over to the Martial Edge stall were we promise next time we will have sweets, chocolate and even our own table cloth.
Watch out for Lesley Jackson’s interview with Silvio Simac, coming soon!
The Martial Edge team were out in force at the weekend as we were in fine form at the first MAF festival held in Leicester and we were all touched by the hand of Gok Wan...
money!” 
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