Cuong Nhu (pronounced Kung New) was founded in 1965 by Dr. Ngo Dong. Today Cuong Nhu Oriental Martial Arts Association (CNOMAA) is a federally recognized non-profit educational organization. Cuong Nhu is not only utilized karate, but also also the basic elements of a number of different styles. Has its roots in Shotokan Karate, Cuong Nhu combines aspects of Aikido, Judo, Wing Chun Kung Fu, Vovinam, Tai Chi Chuan, and Boxing. It is this blending of hard and soft styles from which Cuong Nhu derives its name, which is Vietnamese for Hard (Cuong) - Soft (Nhu).
The first Cuong Nhu dojo in the
Techniques
Cuong Nhu's kyu rank kata consist of four basic forms along with Pinan katas one through five, Tension kata, Jutte, Enpi, and Chinte. Beginner students will start with hard style of Shotokan Karate as the basics. Students will learn four katas: 3 Taikyoku and a kata called “machine gun” that utilizes rapid hard strikes. Also, some of Wing Chun techniques such as blocking, kicking and basic mat skills like rolling, falling, takedowns and applications will be involved. Emphasis is given to the "loading" of techniques, and to turning the loads/transitions into 3-dimensional defense/attacks.
Students will learn more katas as their rank getting more advanced. Once they get green stripes belt, 3 Pinan katas will be added. Last Pinan katas will be learn in brown belt. At two brown stripes, they learn Jutte for their brown belt test. At blackbelt, Cuong Nhu includes higher levels of original hard style empty hand katas (Enpi & Chinte), original soft style empty hand katas called Nhu 1, Nhu 2, and Lotus, as well as the study of more advanced weapons, including but not limited to bo, tambo, tonfa, sai, and spear. Also for all Dan and black belt they have the choices between Tiger, Monkey, Snake, Crane and Nhu 1 and Nhu 2.
As students’ techniques evolve to more advanced levels, softer style techniques (judo, aikido and tai chi) and boxing are introduced along with throws and take-downs. Personal safety and self defense are important keynotes in Cuong Nhu training. An advanced student of Cuong Nhu will practice applications of self defense that involve engaging, controlling, and finishing multiple attackers at all levels and at any age or ability. The nature of the attack will determine the level of response from a Cuong Nhu practitioner.
In Cuong Nhu students with two brown stripes, then a brown belt, earning the title sempai. As they get more experienced, they get two black stripes, then a black belt. In addition to the martial arts requirements, all Cuong Nhu black belts must have teaching experience.
People who have earned a black belt have gone through all the kyu ranks, have earned the title of sensei. Then they start to go through the dan ranks. Starting with one red stripe (Shodan), then two red (Nidan), three red (Sandan), and ending with four red stripes (Yondan). Then they get a half red half black belt, earing the Godan dan rank. The next belt the get is a Rokudan belt, earning the title of master. Then they get another special belt, becoming a 7th degree black belt. The same goes for a eight degree belt, which is currently the highest rank, besides grandmaster.
