Martial arts must churn skilled but disciplined fighters

SIBU: Martial arts must do more than produce skilled fighters — they must mould disciplined, emotionally resilient and responsible young people who understand that true strength lies in self-control, respect and integrity.

Sibu Martial Arts Association (SMAA) advisor Datuk Teo Boon Siew said the values instilled through martial arts training must extend beyond the training floor, shaping how young people conduct themselves, treat others and respond to challenges in everyday life.

He stressed that the true spirit of martial arts was not found in aggression or the pursuit of confrontation, but in the ability to master oneself, uphold tradition and demonstrate respect for teachers, opponents and the wider community.

“When these values are practised in everyday life, martial arts become more than a physical activity. They become an important foundation for developing well-rounded young people,” he said when officiating at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Sibu Division Inter-School Wushu and Lion Dance Championship held at SMK Sacred Heart’s Centennial hall here on Friday night.

The event organised by SMAA was among others attended by SMAA deputy president Chuo Lai Hung and head coach Gilbert Wong.

Teo said martial arts training went far beyond learning how to punch and kick, as it also taught practitioners discipline, perseverance, emotional control and respect for others.

He emphasised that these qualities must be carried into classrooms, homes and the wider community, enabling young people to excel not only in sports but also in their personal development.

The inter-school championship, which featured age-based categories, provided students with an opportunity to showcase their abilities, build confidence and develop teamwork through healthy competition.

More than 100 participants competed in the wushu events, while nine teams took part in the lion dance category.

Beyond the competition itself, Teo highlighted the cultural significance of wushu and lion dance as important expressions of Chinese heritage that deserve to be preserved and passed on to younger generations.

He said martial arts had been inherited across generations, while lion dance remained a cultural symbol associated with celebration, unity, courage and good fortune.

Both disciplines, he added, offered benefits beyond physical fitness by connecting young people with the cultural values and traditions behind their practice.

The participation of students from schools across the Sibu and Sarikei divisions also demonstrated how shared cultural interests could bring young people together, fostering friendship, mutual understanding and a collective sense of heritage.

“This competition is not merely a platform for rivalry. It is an opportunity for young people to embrace traditional culture, showcase their talents and develop a spirit of teamwork,” he said.

Teo also paid tribute to the late Master Yung Dak Looh, a former SMAA president who devoted his life to advancing dragon and lion dance as well as martial arts.

He described Yung’s passing as a significant loss to the community, noting that the foundations he had laid for the development of these traditional disciplines in Sibu and Sarawak should not be allowed to fade with his passing.

Teo expressed confidence that Yung’s son, who now serves as the association’s head coach, together with the athletes trained under the late master, would carry forward his legacy and continue advancing the traditional arts.

He called on schools, parents, community organisations and the public to work together in supporting the development of martial arts and lion dance, stressing that sustained involvement was essential to nurturing more young practitioners.

Such collective support, he said, would help produce a generation that was not only physically fit and technically capable, but also disciplined, respectful and guided by strong moral values.

He added that continued investment in these activities was equally important to ensuring Chinese traditional cultural heritage remained alive and relevant for future generations.