Salem Hamdan and Don Tiran grace belt exams at Monks School of Martial Arts

Monks School of Martial Arts held a successful Kung Fu Belt Examination recently at their main premises in Al Rashidiya 3, Ajman.

The event—designed to assess and promote young UAE wushu talent—drew support from the Arab Wushu Kungfu Union–AE: head Salem Hamdan Al Ameri (IWUF’s first Emirati wushu judge and referee) and Secretary Don Tiran, a wushu judge and referee, who attended to encourage the athletes and local wushu organizations.

Under Chief Examiner Sifu Shukkoor, with assistants Nithin and Sayeed, students were evaluated on traditional taolu (forms), warming routines, striking combinations, self‑defense tactics, and controlled fight sparring. Demonstrations during the examinations showcased advanced hand techniques, dynamic kicking sequences, and weapon‑defense applications. Candidates passed rigorous checks across flexibility, mental focus, basic stances, and sparring discipline.

The Wushu participants were awarded sashes representing their respective levels of achievement. Aron Savio Santhosh received the yellow sash, while Fathima Nasha and Aadith Sajith were awarded green sashes. Aliya Ponmalathodi and Adil Ponmalathodi received blue sashes. Mirfa Laraib, Salwa Noorain and Mariah Sajan Kurishinkal were awarded orange sashes, while Abdul Samad received the red sash. Aaron Baiju Thomas and Irine Maria Binish were presented with brown sashes, marking their progression through the Wushu ranking system.

The Arab Wushu Kungfu Union–AE has been actively supporting the growth of wushu across the UAE and continues to play a central role in development efforts. Its recent and ongoing initiatives include providing official judges and referees for local examinations and competitions, running coaching and referee clinics to raise technical standards, partnering with clubs and schools to expand grassroots participation, facilitating talent identification and pathways to national and regional events, and promoting IWUF-aligned training and safety standards. By lending institutional support and expertise, the Union helps ensure consistent, high-quality development opportunities for practitioners and clubs across the country.

Benefits of wushu for the UAE’s younger generation are wide-ranging: it improves physical fitness, coordination and flexibility; builds mental focus, discipline and self-confidence; teaches self-defense and respect; fosters teamwork and social inclusion; and creates pathways for sporting achievement, scholarships and international exchange. Programs that combine technical training with character development help young Emiratis and resident youth adopt healthy lifestyles and positive values while strengthening the national sporting culture.

The examinations reaffirmed Monks School’s commitment to high training standards and to nurturing the next generation of Emirati wushu athletes, with the Arab Wushu Kungfu Union–AE’s leadership lending strong institutional support.