SIFU, THIS WORLD RECORD IS DEDICATED TO YOU

Robert Ardito has smashed 700 martial arts punches in one minute to break the current Guinness world record of 548 held by Mick Fabar.

Grandmaster Jim Fung (left) and Robert Ardito (right) in 2005Robert, an instructor of the International Wing Chun Academy, was trained at the IWCA by Grandmaster Jim Fung. Grandmaster Jim Fung is well known around the world for his superior knowledge, teaching and understanding of the Wing Chun kung fu system.

In August 2005, Robert Ardito set a new Guinness world record for the most martial art punches in one minute to show the world a small part of what he had learnt from Grandmaster Jim Fung. In 2006, Robert's record was broken by Fabar, a boxer, who managed 548 punches.

When Robert recently found out that Grandmaster Jim Fung was suffering from cancer, he decided to attempt to break the existing world record at 12:05pm on Sunday, the 18th of March 2007, at Grandmaster Fung's Academy in Sydney and raise money for Cancer Research at the same time.

Robert exceeded all his expectations and achieved a world record of 700 martial art punches in one minute. Unfortunately, Grandmaster Jim Fung was not able to attend the event as he was too unwell. Shortly after the judges had confirmed the successful attempt, Robert was sadly informed that Grandmaster Fung had passed away at 12:55pm, just one hour after he had achieved the record.
"Sifu Jim, this record I dedicate to you as it is through your superior teachings that this was made possible.

You will be sorely missed by the world of Wing Chun kung fu and the world of martial arts. Your dream was to have schools around the world and in the last 35 years your dream has been realised. All of us that belong to the IWCA will continue to teach what you have shown us in order to pass it on and keep your dream alive.

Thank you Sifu, Grandmaster Jim Fung."
- Robert Ardito
Special thanks to sponsors 'Bee Power Super Honey', 'Natures Food', and 'Magic Elbow' at Centro Warriewood for their support and donations to Cancer Research. To donate to Cancer Research please contact the International Wing Chun Academy for information on the Jim Fung Memorial Fund for cancer research.

March 2007