The Karanas Mixed Martial Arts Academy (KMMAA), through the International Dragon Full-contact Self-Defense Sports Federation, has recently announced a partnership with Andrew Molen to become the instructor of wushu.
Molen, a 20-year kung fu specialist, brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise to the new federation, aiming to mentor and impart the basics of kung fu skills to the young fighters who are passionate about MMA, including other combat sports.
The Karanas MMA Academy was recently affiliated with the International Taekwondo Federation through the PNG World Taekwondo Organization, which is headed by former Namatanai MP and veteran mixed martial artist, Byron Chan.
President Chan was delighted to have Molen on board, who will be in charge of the kung fu academy, praising Molen and showing faith in him to mentor, guide, and teach the upcoming kung fu prospects, let alone other styles or disciplines.
“I want to announce that Andrew Molen, an experienced shaolin kung fu instructor and also the national development coach for wushu, has joined the International Dragon Full-contact Self-Defense Sports Federation,” Chan said.
“I have just endorsed him for the second dan black belt, a master instructor for wushu in our MMA academy. We are a mixed martial arts academy, where we train in kung fu, karate, kickboxing, ninjutsu, boxing, etc.
“For Molen to join us as an additional instructor is invaluable. He is an added value and resource to our club, and it’s a good thing for PNG because we can create a pathway forward to develop wushu, including other sports like taekwondo, kung fu, and so on.
“Wushu is also included in the Olympic Youth sports, so now we are trying to get our youth to develop their skills and participate in this new Olympic sport. We would like to see wushu and other codes being developed not only in our academy but throughout PNG.”
Besides wushu and kung fu, Molen will also assist President Chan and his executives from the PNG World Taekwondo Organization to develop the sport of taekwondo in the Karanas MMA Academy.
Molen mentioned that he was happy to join the Karanas MMA Academy and thanked Mr. Chan for recognizing him with the Second Dan Black Belt, as he looks forward to sharing his knowledge to elevate the standard of the club.
“I’m glad to be part of sensei Byron’s club and his team. My background is in traditional martial arts, especially in shaolin kung fu,” Molen said.
“To recognize me as a second dan is a big achievement for me. Anyone who studies traditional martial arts would understand that the black belt is a high ranking. Inside the black belt, there are dans like 1st, 2nd, etc.
“It’s a big recognition, so I thank sensei Byron and his instructors. I will do my best to carry this title and use it to impart my knowledge and skills to the next generation of martial artists so that they too can become good representatives for their clubs and communities.”
Throughout his martial arts career, Molen has been fortunate to train under some of the best instructors, who have molded and shaped him to become the man that he is today, so he gave credit back to his teachers.
“I trained under sifu (father) Steven Ngandang for many years and after that, I joined shotokan karate under sensei Carl Mari and recently, I joined the East Gate Karate Academy under sensei Julius Piku,” Molen said.
“The reason I joined the Karanas MMA academy is because, in kung fu, we have a tradition where we recognize our juniors and seniors, unlike karate and taekwondo.
“We don’t have a belt system in kung fu - such as a blue belt, yellow belt - and all those color belts. In kung fu, the seniority is passed down from the head of the style.
“My sifu (Steven Ngandang) recognized me as an instructor two years ago, but I haven’t used this title out of respect for him. However, since the club hasn’t operated lately, he has permitted me to open my club.
“So, I asked sensei Byron and sensei Julius from East Gate Academy to recognize me, and they did acknowledge my request and recognized me as an instructor.
“On top of this recognition, sensei Byron took me to join his club because they don’t have an instructor to teach kung fu. Though I’ll look after kung fu, if they need my assistance in other styles, I would be more than happy to help.”
Molen also thanked other instructors who have inspired and impacted his career in the likes of PNG kickboxing household name Stanley Nandex, late Henry Lee Garap, Mark Sondo, Gabi Yura, to name a few.
Meanwhile, instructor Andrew Molen will soon open his new club and is looking forward to performing in his new role at Karanas MMA Academy and contributing to the growth and development of kung fu, taekwondo, karate, and other martial arts codes.
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