June 7, 1999

PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

In Their First Competition, East End Kung Fu Students Place 1st, 2nd and 3rd at North East Regional Tournament.

East End Kung Fu Kids and Adults from East Hampton, Water Mill and Shelter Island placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in their divisions at the USA Wushu Kung Fu Federation's Annual Summer Bash at Murry Bergtraum High School in Chinatown, New York City on Sunday, June 6th, 1999.

Emma (9) and John (13) MacWhinnie of Water Mill, Alexandra (14) and her mother Mary-Lynn Sullivan of East Hampton and Martin Hunt (14) of Shelter Island all study Wu Mei Kung Fu, a 17th century Chinese martial art, with 8th generation Sifus Floyd and Daisy Lifton of Sag Harbor.

Emma MacWhinnie and Alexandra Sullivan placed 1st in their Southern Forms divisions, Mary-Lynn Sullivan placed 2nd in the adult Southern Forms division, and John MacWhinnie placed 2nd in the Long Weapons division and 3rd in the Southern Forms division.

Floyd Lifton, who is one of only 3 active Sifu of Wu Mei Kung Fu, has been instructing children and adults on the East End since 1993. At the tournament Sifu Lifton, who performed the Plum Blossom Sword form in the Masters Demonstration, also served as a tournament official as a judge and referee.

The story of Wu Mei and her kung fu is told for children in Beautiful Warrior: The Legend of the Nun's Kung Fu by Emily Arnold McCully (Scholastic Press).

This rare martial art, which was nearly lost during the political turmoil of early 20th century China, was brought to this country in 1973 by Grand Master Hseih 'Hero' Peng and has survived through the efforts of his disciple, 7th generation Sifu Ken Lo, who founded the Wu Mei Kung Fu Association in New York City.

Sifus Floyd and Daisy Lifton and his wife Sijie Daisy Lifton teach ongoing classes in this beautiful and powerful martial art on the East End and their students plan to attend more tournaments in the near future.