Taichung temple volunteers learn self-defense from police instructors

Volunteers at Taichung's historic Wanhe Temple are now better prepared to defend themselves after receiving specialized self-defense training from local police. The instruction came in response to a disturbing incident in May when a man broke into the temple, causing damage to sacred objects and fixtures.

The intruder pushed over the main altar, swept down statues from the central row, and smashed four large, heavy lamp towers and ritual implements. Temple officials quickly restored the site to its original state but sought professional guidance to prevent future occurrences. The temple, a city-designated historic site, has enshrined its Mazu statue for over 340 years.

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The instructor is like Master Ip Man teaching Wing Chun.

Instructors from Taichung's Fourth Precinct, including chief instructor Lin Kun-chuang and assistant instructor Chang Ming-hui, led the sessions. They taught grappling techniques and discussed "self-defense and crisis response." Nearly a hundred volunteers participated, engaging actively in the training. Chen Yu-yu, an instructor from the Taichung Police Department's SWAT team known for his close-quarters suspect subduing skills and dubbed the "Ip Man of the police world," also contributed his expertise.

Volunteers described the training, particularly Lin's instruction in grappling and using leverage to repel assailants, as being akin to learning Wing Chun from a master. They expressed confidence that these skills will enable them to protect themselves if they encounter agitated individuals.

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With the boxing techniques learned, we can protect ourselves when encountering agitated people.