Blade Brothers

When a cop on the SWAT team came to him for tips in defending against a knife attack, Bruce Chu dreamed up a new sport — knife fencing. Just 18 months later, he’s trying to make it an Olympic sport

Also he maintains that it is not knife fighting techniques that they are teaching, but rather fencing. Only one hand can be used, the other held behind your back or at your side. Also they instruct the students on the basic tenets of the martial arts: peace, respect and honor.

“This is not the place to learn knife fighting, but we do make sure everyone we train is sane and coming in with the right mindset,” says Chu.

He understands the importance of the work. After all, it was during a training session with an ex-HPD SWAT member that the idea of the sport came about. The officer had come to him wanting additional knife fighting training, telling Chu that HPD only provided a two-day course on the subject.

“It is important for police to have as much knowledge of knives as possible, because they are legal and they are everywhere,” says Chu.

During their session, the officer wanted to see how to defend himself if one arm became disabled — and thus a sport was born.

Today Chu teaches everyone from computer programmers to martial arts experts in his fledgling sport, touting its aerobic and hand-eye coordination benefits. He even credits some of his recent 35-pound weight loss to the workouts he receives knife fencing.

After the initial investment in equipment (it runs around $250 to start up), the classes are held twice a week at the Palolo Hongwanji Temple for just $40 a month. Chu says he keeps the cost as low as possible in hope of growing the sport.

Knife fencing demonstrations are being held in the Hawaii Suites at the Neal Blaisdell Center Sept. 10 between 10 and 3 p.m. So if you’re looking for a way to keep one of those resolutions next year, maybe Chu’s New Year’s Revelation can help you achieve it.

For class information, call Bruce Chu at 358-1927.