Kung Fu master holds event for anti-bullying

HENDERSON — The message is simple: train how to use it, so that you never have to.

Training in martial arts is not about violence but detecting the threat of violence and learning de-escalation tactics to avoid physical confrontation, however inevitable it may seem.

Earlier this month, Master Shaheed Sultan hosted The Meeting of the Masters at Vance County Middle School.

The play and action-packed event was the first stop of a national tour by Sultan and his team that “targets and portrays alternatives in dealing with bullying, negative peer pressure and childhood obesity.”

The actors and performers included Cheryl Wright, Bernard Wright Jr., and Ariel Williams, who performed drama routines in acting and alternatives for violence, along with a rap and informational PowerPoint on the statistics and consequences of bullying.

The event was the “brainchild” of Kung Fu Master Bobby Scott, also known as Master Shaheed — a world-renowned martial artist with experience with legends like Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris.

A decorated Kung Fu master, Shaheed has practiced martial arts in 15 different countries and had the opportunity to perform in big moments, including a demonstration for President Barack Obama during his first inauguration.

A native of Vance County, Shaheed is the founder of the Khalifa Martial Arts Association and the Golden Tiger Kung Fu Academy — a private studio he operates from his residence.

For most martial artists who train at a young age, it is something that constantly remains a part of who they are, no matter how long it has been since their last training session. For Sultan, Kung Fu is as necessary to his body as breathing.

“I’m not new to this, I’m true to this,” said Sultan.

Martial arts place a big emphasis on attitude and body posture — and in his informational event, Sultan highlighted the importance of appearing confident and increasing your longevity through dietary measures and exercise.

Tips to stay safe when out by yourself include: avoiding using your smartphone or headphones while walking alone, keeping your hands out of your pockets, eyes up, shoulders back and walking with a sense of purpose.

Unlike most sports, martial arts places an emphasis on a holistic approach to health — physical, mental and spiritual. It is, after all, an art form. By teaching these lessons to adolescents in Vance County, Sultan hopes to raise awareness around all of the aspects of bullying and childhood obesity — and wants to use martial arts as a building block for improving life skills.

Also present at the event was the international representative for the Tae Kwon Do Association from Seoul Korea, Master Jun Lee, who is well-known in the TKD community.

Another special guest was Professor Hendricks and his wife Sensei Hendricks and their students from the 10th Planet Ju Jitsu studio on Dabney Drive in Henderson, and Steve Muhammed of the Eye to Eye Combat out of Charlotte.

“Thank you to the school superintendent, Dr. Cindy Bennett, communications director Aarika Sandlin and the grace of the Vance County public relations department for making this all happen,” said Sultan.

The next step of the Meeting of the Masters tour will be at the nation’s capital in Washington, D.C. in May.