Combat: How did you first get involved in martial arts? And why?

Garry McKenzie: I was only ten, had a rough upbringing and a violent temper, it needed controlling or it would get me hurt or in trouble. I saw David Carradine's 'Kung Fu' and then joined a judo school with my brother David for a year.

Combat: What did you do then?

G. McKenzie: At 12 I started learning Tae Kwon Do with Mr. Ohiu for 3 years. I appreciated the directness of kicking and punching as opposed to grappling and throwing. What frustrated me was the endless amounts of katas and my constant disqualification's in competitions for excessive force. This led me to learn western boxing at the Colvestone Gym in Hackney (London), training with Michael Watson, Kirkland Laing etc. It was the first time I ever got a full blow to the head - boy it hurt! Tae Kwon Do did not prepare me for these mobile loose, unconventional boxers, who were basically in my face.

Combat: How did you arrive at Wing Chun?

G. McKenzie: One day I got severely beaten and left for dead by a gang of racist thugs, which made me realize I had to master one thing and one thing only.

Combat: Why Wing Chun?

G. McKenzie: One day I was sparring with a Wing Chun practitioner. Without hardly any effort or movement he blocked whatever I threw at him - I couldn't actually get near him. Wing Chun seemed straightforward, simple, direct and very effective.

Combat: Who did you learn with?

G. McKenzie: I saw Simon Lau on 'Way of The Warrior' his Wing Chun was simply 'Explosive'. My brother David and I joined a twice weekly course with seventy other students.

Combat: How did you take to Wing Chun?

G. McKenzie: I trained hard and progressed well, which is why my Sifu decided to groom me for an instructor and teach me as his private student. David, due to pressures of work and family, dropped out for three years.