Three of the East Midlands Instructors were recently awarded senior grades at the last Zhong Ding AGM.

Darren Roberts and Don Harradine were awarded with a fifth duan grade and Ken J Mead was awarded with a fourth duan.

All three instructors were presented with their certificate at the end of the Master Liang He Qing Championship in the East Midlands.

Darren heads the East Midlands region of Zhong Ding. 

He has been studying Tai Chi for 17 years and his focus is Cheng Man Ching Tai Chi.  He has not branched from this into other arts as some of his other colleagues have. He believes this gives him everything he needs and there is more than a lifetime of research and study in this one art.

Don has been studying Tai Chi for 18 years and has been part of the Zhong Ding organisation for the past 13 years.

In addition to his study of Tai Chi, Don is also an instructor in Silat Melayu Lian Padukan, Silat Embo, Seni Silat Tari and a graduate of Silat Harimau and leads the development of this Art in the East Midlands and nationally.

Ken is a full time Tai Chi instructor who has been studying the art for twelve years. He has obtained five gold medals in Tui Shou.

Tai Chi is his main focus but he also studies and teaches Baguazhang, Xingyiquan, Qi Gong and Shoalin.  His philosophy follows that of his late teacher, Ian Cassetari and Master Chen Man Ching in that Tai Chi is for everyone.  He teaches to a wide range of people within the community.