Si Gung Neal Gilding

For 27 years I had called him Si Fu. It was quite a positive shock trying to remember this new formally recognised grading of SiGung.  

Si Gung Neil Gilding has been on Ju Jitsu grading panels before. On their senior grading panels, it is required to have a minimum number of high-ranking members to witness and officiate the grading. Si Gung Neil is well known for his broad knowledge in various Martial Art styles, as well as specifically for the Black Crane Kung Fu System. As such, his wealth of knowledge is recognised both within and outside of the Internal martial arts systems. It is for this reason that he is commonly invited to such events.    

On 11^th November, 2023, Si Gung Neil Gilding was recognised as the rank of Si Gung in front of 8 other martial arts master’s whom have a collective knowledge of close to 400 Years.  The recognition was both to the International Martial Arts Preservation Society as well as Formal recognition of the rank of SiGung within the Black Crane Kung Fu Systems.   

Also on this day, one of Si Gung Neil Gilding ‘s past students, Michael Sheridan graded to 5^th Dan in Kakumei JuJutsu.   

Michael Sheridan had achieved Si Dai in Black Crane Kung Fu system more than 25 years ago and had been working hard through the Ju Jitsu system since then.   Michael Sheridan, although taking a different path in this martial journey, keeps in contact with SiGung and sometimes trains with him as well.  

From left to Right – Ian Lochlin (Kyoshi 7^th Dan) , Neil Gilding (Si Gung 7^th Degree), John Bear ( Shihan 9^th Dan), Ray Lea (Professor 10^th Dan),

Tino Cebrano (Hanshi 10^th Dan), Steve Nichols (Shihan  6^th Dan), Ken Twaddell (Si Gung 8^th Degree), John Collett (Shihan 8^th Dan).

There are a few reasons why this recognition is so special. There are some heads of martial arts schools which give themselves the rank of Si Gung (or similar) without the effort or external witness to it. SiGung Neil could have achieved this rank informally much earlier, however as a testament to his humility, he would not just add a special label of authority without it being considered earned.   

Si Gung Neil started training well over 50 years ago, and ran The Black Crane Kung Fu School for 40 years. Although his title is the highest achievable within our style, he has continuously and constantly been improving his knowledge and skills. This in turn is passed on to the next generation for the cycle to continue.   

 SiGung Neal Gilding is still closely associated with the school and spends a great amount of time investing in the current instructors continual training and the guidance of the school. His contributions to Black Crane Kung Fu and the wider martial arts community have been greatly appreciated and it was a very nice gesture to have this formally recognised by his peers.  

So, it is a great pleasure from now on to address him as SiGung (Master of the style).  

By Si Suk Paul Freiberg 

Director and Owner of Black Crane Kung Fu