Greek Shaolin Cultural Organization
少林希腊文化組织

The 2nd International Martial Arts Festival was held with great success, on May 6 and 7, 2017, at the Indoor Stadium of Serres, in the Valley of Agioi Anargyroi, by the Hellenic Martial Arts Federation [EOPT]. The Championship was organized by Athletic Club Dias Serron and Hermes Irakleias, with the support of the Municipality of Serres and its Mayor, Mr Petros Angelides, as well as the local community.

The Greek Shaolin Cultural Organization could not be abscent from a Festival of such magnitude. With a group of 30 male and female students, EPOS presented the Shaolin Culture in northern Greece and abroad, since athletes from different countries participated, while the Festival had TV coverage of ERT Serres and other media.

EPOS team presented Shaolin Rou Quan, Shaolin Qi Gong and Shaolin Kung Fu skills with unarmed and armed forms, and was awarded a total of 20 Gold, 6 Silver and 4 Copper medals.

The Masters who accompanied the mission and the EPOS General Director, Mr. Stavridis Jordan in Serres, were Kapatsoulias Panagiotis, Altanis Theodoros, Stavrakos Marios and Kalogeropoulos Ioannis from Pyrgos and Amaliada, Kokkalas Lambros from Nea Smyrni, Stavridou Alexandra, Antari Konstantina and Capai Adrian from Artemida, Vasilopoulos Ioannis from Thessaloniki, Banner Andrew from Vyronas and the General Director of POKESA Mr. Katakalaios Dimitris, who once again contributed tirelessly In the best way, for the smooth running of the games both in the jury and in the secretariat.

The finale was especially emotional for EPOS since distinguished students were promoted by the chairman of EOPT, Mr Thomas Smiaris. In particular, Evangelinaras Angelos and Takakis Danae from OASKF "Aristomachos", Filitsa Altani from the Shaolin Cultural Center of Amaliada, Costopoulou Mariana and Theodoropoulou Anastasia from the Shaolin Cultural Center of Pyrgos and Katakalaios Stavros from OHSKF "Wind" now officially hold a Black Belt.

Worthy people and outstanding masters are a combination that EOPT has as a criterion for Black Belt Performance, something that children have so far demonstrated with their participation and endless effort. Congratulations to everyone. I wish with all my heart to continue tirelessly the way of your Masters. Said Mr. Thomas Smiaris, chairman of EOPT, at the end of the award.

At the closing of a truly beautiful weekend, Masters Banner Andrew of White Lotus Shaolin Center and Altanis Theodore of Phoenix Shaolin Centre, presented skills of Shaolin Soft Arts, the famous Shaolin Rou Quan, the Shaolin Soft Fist [Chin: Shàolín róu quán 少林 柔拳], that is the precursor of the scientifically documented Tai Ji [Chin.: tài jí 太极]. In particular, Sifu Banner presented the Yilu Soft Jian [Chin.: shàolín yīlù róu jiàn 少林 一路柔剑] and Sifu Altanis the Yilu Soft Fist [chin.: shàolín yīlù róu quán 少林 一路柔拳].

Overview of the Event in the official website of Shaolin Temple. LINK