At first glance you may mistakenly see On Single Combat as being 'simply about Wing Chun or WingTsun (WT)', as Grandmaster Leung Ting's system is spelled, after all the author is recognised as a world renowned master of the art, but the contents cover so much ground that you cannot confine it to one style, it all styles and yet, paradoxically, it is no style. It is all encompassing and in my opinion one of the most comprehensive books on combat on the market today.

I first met Keith in London, 1997, where we spent a day talking about the martial arts and exchanging ideas. It was obvious after only a few minutes that we were very similar in our martial arts background and experiences, I felt an immediate affinity and deep respect for him.

We have also faced down the street fighter and suffered the mental torment of fighting our greatest adversary - ourselves. Because of this courtship with hardship we both now understand ourselves which, as General Sun Tzu said some 25 centuries ago, allows us to face 100 battles without fear of defeat.

Another important lesson we both uncovered on our bloody and epic journey was the absolute futility of violence and that a physical response should only be employed when no other option is available. There is a great responsibility that comes with being a highly trained martial artist. When you reach an elevated level of competence, you no longer worry about being hurt in affray, rather you agonise about hurting, even killing an opponent who is perhaps needed a point in the right direction as opposed to a poke in the throat. Therefore, at the master level, the art evolves into one of self-control and not one of self-defense. You transcend the need to control others and concentrate instead on the lofty and more worthy task of controlling yourself. Your training evolves to an internal and intangible level where you kick, box and wrestle with the demons of your own mind and dark energies of the world. When you enter this arena, a commendable task I have to say and not one for the faint of heart, you develop an aura that stands apart from others.

Keith and I have seen that battle field and felt that inspiration.
They say that there are many paths to the top of the mountain but from the peak, the view is the same, that's why Keith and I have such an affinity and the reason why a venerable Shotokan man is writing the preface of a book for an esteemed WingTsun (WT)-man.

It is my belief that the two most important thing in life are love and knowledge, this author and his book On Single Combat have both in abundance and I highly endorse them to anyone with self-protection and/or self-development, on the physical, mental or spiritual plain - in mind.

This book speaks so much sense that everyone should read it and prepare themselves for reality.

Whether you are a novice or an expert, a man or a woman, a layman or a Lord, no matter what your style, colour, creed or disposition there is something in this book for you.
It could at some time prove life saving.

Highly recommended, the best book of its kind on the market today!

Geoff Thompson

July 1997, Coventry/England
Author of the works "Watch my Back", "Bouncer", "On the Door", etc.