Sifu Nigel Gilham

• Formally recognised as a Sifu by Shigong Kim Han on 4th January 2010.
• Awarded my 8th Dan Black Sash, Nan Shaolin Wuzuquan at an award ceremony in the home of Southern Shaolin – Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China in November 2016
• 3rd Dan Black Sash, KIXX Chinese Boxing
• 2nd Dan Black Belt, Shotokan Karate
• Public Liability / Indemnity Insurances
• Qualified International Wushu Judge (experienced at European level)
• Enhanced DBS Checked

Styles of Martial Arts Studied:

• Nan Shaolin Wuzuquan - Chee Kim Thong - UK/Europe [Han Jin Yuan] (South Shaolin 5 Ancestors Fist)
• Nan Shaolin Wujiquan ( South Shaolin All Emptiness Fist) (Similar to Tai Chi...)
• Northern Chang Chuen Shu (Longfist Art or aka KIXX Chinese Boxing)
• Member of the British Nan Shaolin Wuzuquan Team
• Competition Wushu Competitor and former member of the British Wushu Team
• Early years, studied Shotokan Karate (Sensei Ray Fuller)

My Background:

I began my martial art training in 1976 at Coxheath Shotokan Karate Club with Sensei Ray Fuller. I managed after several years of hard work to achieve my 2nd Black Belt and became an Instructor for Sensei Fuller. After ten years of training at Coxheath I decided to commit to training under the guidance of Sifu Chris Ellerker, Chief Instructor of the Chinese Chang Chuen Shu Kung Fu style (aka Northern Shaolin Long Fist) . This proved to be a pivotal change in my thinking and my martial arts career. Chris has helped me to achieve many things including meeting Shizu Kim Han, achieving my 3rd Dan level in Chang Chuen Shu, becoming a member of the British Wu Shu Team and competing in the 1990 Wushu World Championships held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. During my times with the British Wu Shu Team I have been very fortunate to travel to Europe and the Far East to compete and train with some of the best coaches and athletes in the country and the world.

I have been very pleased to win gold medals in International Competitions, my most memorable being in the International Nan Shaolin Wuzuquan Championships in China 2006. I travelled to China with the British Team and Coach Kim Han. During the competition all of the Teams was treated to AMAZING exhibitions and trips to places of interest in and around the area including the Southern Shaolin Temple in Quanzhou, Fujien Province. One of the highlights of the tour was to be asked to perform in a demonstration at the Shaolin Temple with my wife, Tracy. The other and proudest highlight of my the competition career was the presentation of a statue of ‘Dhamo’ to me and Tracy in recognition of the 5 Gold medals we jointly won in this competition (Nigel 2 Gold, Tracy 3 Gold).

In 2010 both Tracy and I travelled to China once again for the competition. This time I was pleased to be appointed by Shigong Han as the official Team Coach to both the British and Irish Teams.

In 2012 I was honoured to be invited to accompany Shigong Han as a UK delegate to a meeting of the International Nan Shaolin Wuzuquan Union in Quanzhou, Southern China. There I was able to meet some of the best Southern Shaolin masters, train with top students at the south Shaolin Temple in Quanzhou and have a amazing lunch with the Abbott of said Temple.

In 2016 we once again travelled to China to represent the UK and Europe the Annual International Nan Shaolin Friendship Association meeting and competition.

In 2018 the Annual meeting this year was held in Manilla Philippines. Nigel and Tracy accompanied Shigong Han to the meeting. There was no competition this year, but plenty of demonstrations.

In 2019 we were back in Quanzhou, China for the meetings and competition. I won a Silver medal for a hand form and a silver medal for a partner sparring set performed with Tracy.

In 2023 we were fortunate to go to Jakarta, Indonesia. However, Shizu Han passed away in June of this year so this was the first trip without him! I managed to win a Gold medal.

I along with other KIXX Martial Arts Team members, have taken part and won a number of medals in many of the competition circuits around the UK eg; BCCMA, Combat, WFFO, EMA, WAKO, WKA, CIMAC, BNMA, etc, and abroad at Traditional and Wushu events in France, Germany, Holland to name a few.

I have been very pleased and humbled by the experiences gained under the tutelage of Shigong Han, namely, travelling to China and Malaysia to take part in very high profile Far Eastern competitions and demonstrations, meeting some of the most impressive martial artists in the world, seeing them perform and having access to training with some of the very top people in their fields.

My Personal Goals:

• To expand, improve and develop KIXX Martial Arts Club and to make the quality of what is on offer to our students and customers alike, First Rate.
• To continue to work and train with people that are interested in Martial Arts.
• To build and promote Nan Shaolin Wuzuquan - Chee Kim Thong - UK / Europe [Han Jin Yuan] per Shizu Han's last wishes!!!