|  | Keith R. Kernspecht was born in 1945, took his high-school examinations in evening classes and went on to study modern and classical languages, philosophy, theology and jurisprudence. He first worked as an interpreter, then became a police officer. Some time later he spent eight years teaching in a commercial college. He gained additional teaching experience by working at a penal institution and for NATO. For several yearshe was a lecturer of English at the university of Kiel. At the end of the fifties he began to study various Western and Eastern martial arts, including freestyle wrestling, catching, Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Kempo, Shaolin Kung Fu, Shotokan and Wado Ryu-Karate, Kobudo (weapons), Tae-Kwon-Do, Aikido, Escrima (Philippine sword, stick and knife-fighting). For a short time he worked as a professional wrestler. He was awarded the 3rd instructor grade in Escrima and the second in Kempo. His friend S. Supasturpong introduced him to the Thai martial arts. In 1967 Kernspecht established the Budo-Zirkel e.V. in Kiel, Germany, which in addition to Kempo, Shotokan-Karate and Ko-Budo was probably the first German martial arts club to teach authentic Chinese Kung Fu. In the Chinese quarters of different European cities (in England, among others) he came into contact with various Wing Chun styles. In 1975 Kernspecht invited the highest Chinese WingTsun (WT) master, Leung Ting, to Germany. Since that time, Kernspecht has received private instruction from Leung Ting for several months a year, and is now the head and chief instructor of the Chinese WT association's German and European section. As a holder of the 9th master grade, Kernspecht is one of the two highest graduated WingTsun (WT) masters in the world. International martial arts publications have called Kernspecht the "father of WingTsun in Europe" and the "Kaiser of Kung Fu" (Black Belt, USA) in recognition of his success. In order to round off his knowledge, Kernspecht studied the teachings of Bruce Lee (later called Jeet Kun Do) in Germany and the USA from 1979 to 1981, training with Bruce Lee's two first and most skilled students. As WT chief instructor for Europe, and at the instigation of his teacher, Grand Master Leung Ting, K. Kernspecht and his instructors have established national WT organisations in all European countries. In Germany alone there are now about 1,500 WT training schools. Their members are supported by regular training courses, newsletters and the organisations own journal, WingTsun World. Although Kernspecht himself still gives instruction for four to six hours a day, six days a week, he nevertheless finds the time to lecture at foreign universities as a visiting Professor, and to further the cause of both WingTsun and the martial arts in general on an international level. - In Hong Kong and the Republic of China:
- International WingTsun Martial Art Association (Honorary Chairman)
- Yip Man Martial Art Association (Director and representative for Germany)
- Ving Tsun Athletic Association (Director for life)
- Int. Chinese Martial Art Federation (Honorary Chairman)
- Chung Wah Martial Arts Athletic Association (Member)
- In the USA and Europe:
- Philippine Martial Arts Society (German representative and head)
- World Martial Arts and Physical Education Assn. (Member)
- World Martial Arts Instructors Council (Member)
- Budo Zirkel e.V. (Hon. President for life)
For twenty-six years Keith Kernspecht has been together with his wife Sigrun, a sculptor, who also learned the WT system from Grand Master Leung Ting, and who accompanies her husband on his constant travels. Both spend more time behind the wheel of a car than at home. When they are not on the road together, they share a rusty hobby, namely restoring and driving classic sports cars and motorcycles. The time available for working and driving the gems becomes shorter as each year goes by, however, as the number of WT schools throughout Europe that need visiting on a regular basis continues to increase. | | |
