Sifu Utku Aksakal

I was first introduced to Wing Chun by a friend who was already an instructor. After only a few lessons, I became deeply fascinated by the art. What impressed me most was how practical, efficient, and intelligent its principles were.

Having played chess since childhood, I quickly began to notice remarkable similarities between chess and Wing Chun. Although they are completely different disciplines, they share the same underlying philosophy: achieving the greatest result through intelligent thinking, timing, strategy, and efficiency. This connection made me even more passionate about studying Wing Chun.

As my interest grew, I wanted to learn the art properly from a grandmaster. That journey led me to Sifu Garry McKenzie, with whom I have been training since May 2018. Through regular classes at The Wing Chun School headquarters, together with private tuition, I completed the full Wing Chun curriculum while continuing to refine and deepen my understanding of the art.

Sifu Garry McKenzie is a direct student of Grandmaster Ip Ching, the son of the legendary Grandmaster Ip Man. Learning from someone who has inherited and mastered this authentic lineage has been a true privilege and an invaluable part of my journey.

As a student of The Wing Chun School, I have participated in the school’s training trips to Hong Kong and China almost every year, gaining first-hand experience of the art’s heritage and continually developing my skills.

In February 2024, I became an Assistant Instructor, supporting senior instructors (SiHings) in teaching both children’s and adults’ classes and helping students progress in their Wing Chun journey.

Since September 2026, I have also been teaching my own students. Sharing the knowledge, discipline, confidence, and practical self-defence skills that Wing Chun has given me is something I find genuinely rewarding. My goal is not only to teach techniques but also to help students develop the mindset, confidence, and principles that make Wing Chun such a unique and effective martial art.