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This article gives an insight into the life of Wayne Norman Short - Si Goong & Master of Shaolin Ch'uan Fa Kung Fu & Tai Chi Ch'uan who was one of the founding members of the World Budo Kai

Wayne Norman Short was born in Melbourne, Australia on 14^th March 1957

Wayne grew up in a suburb of Melbourne called Pascoe Vale. As a teenager Wayne found the TV series of Kung Fu and the exploits of Bruce Lee an inspiration and soon found himself learning the Chinese Martial Art of Shaolin Ch’uan Fa Kung Fu in the City Centre School of Kung Fu under Serge Martich -Ostermann, who had studied under Master Chang Shih-yung. To the bemusement of his family Wayne spent most of his time there, 4 nights week arriving an hour before the class to sweep the floor of the practice room, and soon became totally engrossed in the Chinese culture. Learning the Cantonese language through his headphones at night to the annoyance of his brother who was trying to sleep. He spent most of the time with his Chinese friends travelling to Hong Kong to learn more of the Chinese ancient Arts of Tai Chi and healing systems. On one of his visits to Hong Kong Wayne met a Buddhist Monk silently practicing his Forms on Lantau Island. Wayne, recognising them as part of his system, showed the aged Monk what he had learnt. Surprised by the Australian youth’s understanding of his system the Monk agreed to teach him what he knew and in consecutive visits Wayne spent many hours and days with him learning more of this internal system. During these visits he also learnt the more subtle approach and fundaments of the Tai Chi Ch’uan system.

His enthusiasm undaunted by travel to Hong Kong lead him to meet Carter Wong the Chinese actor of Big Trouble in Little China fame and to train and be photographed with him.

Wayne’s father Norman died suddenly in 1985 of a heart attack and Wayne, who had worked with his father since the age of 15 in his foundry, found that he had to run the foundry which was not his ideal of a future career. He did not want to loose track of his Martial Arts dream he had fought so hard to acquire.

In 1986 at a night club in Moorabbin in Australia, Wayne asked a girl to dance, she was an English Nurse. During that song Wayne tried to impress her by telling he was a Martial Arts Instructor - she was not impressed. Her Father Norman Sangwin and her Mother, Sister and two brothers were all Martial Arts instructors in East Yorkshire, and had taught Angela Sangwin Martial Arts since she was 6 years old. By then she already held a 3^rd Dan in Ju Jitsu and Kung Fu. However she did marry Wayne 5 months later at Holy Trinity Church Leven in England so the initial reaction was soon over come as both shared a unique dedication towards the way of life Martial Arts systems had brought to them.

Back in Melbourne Wayne and Angela - began teaching the Chinese and Japanese systems of Martial arts and the healing systems of Katsu under the name of The World Budo Kai - teaching for 10 years with a growing Multi style organisation. His reputation as a teacher grew, teaching in 22 different High schools and secondary Colleges - self defence training over 2000 students a year and teaching his Chinese Martial Arts full time now. Wayne devoted his time and energy at the Traditional Chinese New Year celebrations assisting the Lion Dance charity activities of the Chinese Masonic Lodge for many years.

Wayne and Angela began their family with David in 1989, Holly in 1991 and Keziah in 1994

In 1997 Wayne & Angela returned to England to help establish the healing systems of Katsu and to promote the gentler theories of Tai Chi for health and well being. After living in Leven with Angela’s parents they bought a home in Catwick.

Wayne taught his classes of Tai Chi & Kung Fu in Leven, East Yorkshire, then found that Tai chi was required to help relax clients of Her Majesty's Prison in Hull.

Soon his Classes extended to Hornsea and Keyingham under the East Riding County Council where his popularity grew. Then in early 1999 he was approached to teach Tai Chi by the Ministry of Defence in Leconfield, where his ability to relieve aching necks and backs was infamous.

Wayne attained an understanding of the finer workings of the Internal Chinese Martial Arts systems rarely found outside of the Chinese community. His gift was in the ability to teach it with enthusiasm and flair. The effect that he had on the people around him was that of deep respect and admiration. To lose such a Master at such a young age of 43 years leaves a void in Martial Arts in the United Kingdom and Australia that cannot be filled. It is in his memory that we will continue to pursue his dreams.