18 Chambers: November 2012

Friday, November 16, 2012

MARTIAL CHALLENGES

MARTIAL CHALLENGES
by Sharif A. Bey

The "challenge" has always been a part of Traditional Chinese Martial Arts, and serves a number of functions. There are "friendly" challenges among martial artists as a way of "getting acquainted" and developing relationships within the martial world through the exchange of skills. There are "skill" challenges, engaged in for the mutual exchange of experience for personal development. Then there is the infamous "grudge" challenge to settle disputes, and these can become quite dangerous. Of course in the modern time the latter type of challenge, due to legal consequences and the very non-martial state of present day society, rarely occur.

Nevertheless, the martial society is indeed a society with its own rules and complex societal codes of conduct. With regards to challenges a set of well known rules are to be observed, regardless of the type of challenge; among them are the following rules:

WHEN A CHALLENGER ISSUES A CHALLENGE, IF THE ONE BEING CHALLENGED DECLINES HE FORFEITS AND IT COUNTS AS A LOSS
THE PERSON BEING CHALLENGED RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ESTABLISH THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
THE CHALLENGER, HAVING INITIATED THE CHALLENGE, MUST ACCEPT THE TERMS OF THE CHALLENGE; IF HE DOES NOT HE FORFEITS THE CHALLENGE AND IT COUNTS AS A LOSS
THE MATCH SHOULD BE PRIVATE, EITHER WITH THE TWO COMBATANTS MEETING ALONE, OR BOTH BRINGING A WITNESS.
TO BE POLITE, NO ONE IS TO SPEAK OF THE OUTCOME SO AS TO SHOW RESPECT TO THE LOSER (this rule does not necessarily apply to grudge challenges, but often is adhered to regardless to avoid legal issues).

While generally the tradition of challenging is considered antiquated, and barbaric by many of today's standards, there are a number of traditional martial arts "purists" that are willing, and in fact do, preserve and engage in the tradition. One such martial artist is Novell "Black Taoist" Bell, a traditional Chinese Martial Artist of the Bagua (Eight Triagrams) school of Chinese Boxing. Bell is the founder of the MUSU (Man Up Stand Up) Traditional Fighting League; a venue that features traditional martial arts fighters from across the country. Bell, as well as a small minority of traditional martial artists, feel very strongly about the challenge tradition being an integral part of raising the standard of traditional martial arts training and skill, as well as character development. Unfortunately the tradition has become attractive to those on the outside of the traditional martial arts world; "challengers" that due to popular entertainment and bravado seek to engage, but do not know the rules and etiquette.

Bell was recently challenged by a practitioner of a more modern martial art called "52 Blocks." 52 Blocks/Jailhouse Rock was developed by African Americans in the prison system. A leading authority on the style, Dennis Newsome, claims its origin goes back to the 17th and 18th century institutionalized African Americans. A practitioner of 52 Blocks named Rahmel, aka "Mr 52" recently challenged Bell via a YouTube clip. Bell issued his own video response accepting the challenge, then issued the rules of engagement.

Unfortunately Rahmel, not knowing or not respecting the rules, attempted to change or alter the terms of engagement; asking that the fight take place at a venue where admission is charged, and the winner takes 60% of the earnings and the loser takes 40%.
Such an offer violates the core principles of the martial tradition. The challenger in this case is not looking to honor the tradition, or even truly test his skill against a worthy opponent, but merely to score a payday. What he does not understand is that his mere offer of re-negotiating the terms admits his forfeiture and loss of face, being that he made the challenge.

The true martial code is centered around the willingness and ability to sacrifice one's individual will for the greater good, be it family, nation, loved ones or principles. A true warrior has three core standards; he must not be afraid of hard work, he must not be afraid to sacrifice himself for the right, and he must not be subject to be bought off with money.
Perhaps Mr. 52 should examine his true intent, compare it with the martial spirit, and adjust himself accordingly. We will keep you all posted.

18 Chambers

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Challenges Issued and Accepted: UPDATE!

Looks like yet another fight may be down the tubes. The Blacktaoist hit 18 Chambers up to let us know that the fight with Mr. 52 is off, due to the inability of the two parties to come into an agreement over the terms of the bout. 'Winner takes all' isn't something Mr. 52 is agreeing to according to the Blacktaoist. Check out the video below:

18 Chambers

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Challenges Issued And Accepted

As New York recovers from super storm Sandy, it needs to brace itself for yet another storm that's a-brewing; and at its center is a new 52 Blocks vs Baguazhang challenge. After an explosive set of exclusive interviews with the Blacktaoist, Nakmeezy, Maoshan, and Lyte Burly that all ended on high notes, I decided to leave any further situations between the gentlemen alone for the sake of trying to keep things positive; however, things took an interesting turn as of late. 52 Blocks practitioner and teacher Mr 52 issued a challenge to the Blacktaoist to which the Blacktaoist has recently accepted.

The terms of acceptance are straight-forward, here's an approximate breakdown:

The venue- Man Up Stand Up (MUSU) competition
Date- some time in February 2013
Money- if Lyte Burly fights the cut will be 60-40, but if he doesn't then the bout between Mr52 and Blacktaoist is winner takes all.
MUSU ruleset
Duration- three 5 minute rounds.

An interesting twist to this event is the Blacktaoist would like to have Lyte Burly and Nakmeezy participate as well. Lyte Burly can fight one of his students or other people from MUSU who are interested in crossing hands with him and Nakmeezy can fight MUSU's 6 time champ DJ.

Initially I was staying away from this story but since both gentlemen are stressing a respectful match, I decided to post it. The details are being worked out between all parties and we'll keep you posted.