Qwan Ki DoorQuan khi Dao is a Vietnamese martial art that was codified in France in 1981. Qwan Ki Do is practiced internationally, with schools in Asia and Europe. The practice combines the use of hand-to-hand techniques and weapons, with moves combined in both formalised combinations, termed Thao Quyen, and freeform settings. Qwan Ki Do includes poses and movements, the use of hands and feet, throws, holds and many other techniques. Weapon moves include the traditional sword art of Viet Lon Guom. Practitioners can progress through three levels, called So Dang, Trung Dang and Thuong Dang or Nhap Man, Trung Man and Dai Man, at which different coloured belts are worn. As well as improving physical attributes like strength and flexibility, the practice has been shown to help promote good mental health.
History
Qwan Ki Do or Quan khi Dao was founded by Pham Xuan Tong in France in 1981. The name can be translated either "The Body's Energy Path" or "Fist and Energy Way".[1][2] There are two traditions to explain its formation. In one, it is derived from traditional Vietnamese Viet Vo Dao martial arts, and particularly Vo Bihn Dinh, Vo Quang Binh and Vo Bach Ninh.[3] In the other, it is derived from the Chinese Wo Mei, a Southern Shaolin Kung Fu style. In this tradition, the main techniques are derived from the animal forms of the crane, praying mantis and tiger.[2] The practice of Cuong Qwan Ki Do, which became independent in 1995, was developed from it.[4]
The art has spread worldwide. The first Qwan Ki Do association in Germany, the Qwan Ki Do Cottbus eV, was founded in 1992 in Cottbus, by the Congolese athlete Jean Isidore Dziengué.[5] In 2003, a Romanian from Suceava, Dorin Cazac, opened the first Qwan-Ki-Do Club in Ireland, in Nenagh.[6] In 2009, Irina Adam, another Romanian, set up a school in London, and second soon following and, in 2012, a third.[7] Over 1,000 competitors took part in the national championships in India in 2020.[8]
Practice
Carole Bo Ram Autret demonstrating Qwan Ki Do on 29 September 2014
Qwan Ki Do is primarily a method of hand-to-hand combat, often using acrobatic manoeuvres, but also includes the use of weapons. Practicing the art is complex, combining mental and physical exercises.[1] The basic techniques include:[4]
The practice includes codified series of moves undertaken solo termed Thao Quyen. Some sequences are named, such as Thap Thu, a combination of ten steps.[9]
^McCormack, Clan (6 September 2003). "Nenagh". New Ross Standard. Archived from the original on 30 October 2021. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 31 October 2021 suggested (help)
Cojocariu, Adrian; Ungurean, Bogdan; Oprean, Alexandru (2017). "Evaluation of Anaerobic Lactacid Capacity of Elite Qwan Ki Do Athletes". Gynasium. 16 (1): 1–10.
Green, Thomas A. (2010). "Southeast Asia". In Green, Thomas A.; Svinth, Joseph R. (eds.). Martial Arts of the World An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation· Volume 1. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO. pp. 538–550. ISBN978-1-59884-243-2.
Habersetzer, Gabrielle; Habersetzer, Roland (2004). Encyclopédie technique, historique, biographique et culturelle des arts martiaux de l'Extrême-Orient (in French). Paris: Amphora. ISBN978-2-85180-660-4.
Tătaru, Irene Teodora (2021). "Basic Arm Techniques in Qwan Ki Do". Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Brasov Series IX, Sciences of Human Kinetics. 14 (1): 101–106.