A Bermudian has recently joined the select rank of experts who are allowed to call themselves Full Instructors (Level 10) in the ancient art of Wing-Chun Kung-Fu.

Twenty eight-year-old Delroi Flood has just returned from the World Wing Chun headquarters in Melbourne, Australia, where the honour was bestowed.

Now he is thinking of introducing a programme that will train women in self-defence, for the Wing Chun method was developed, way back in 17th century China, by a Buddhist nun.

"It would be one of the very best way for women to protect themselves,'' he exclaims. "Men are stronger than women so it's no use fighting force with force. Wing Chun doesn't rely on strength, but on the skill of using your opponent's force against themselves.'' It has taken 12 years of constant discipline and training for Mr. Flood to reach his goal. "I started training when I was 16, but in those days, Wing Chun was not well known here, although it was famous elsewhere. My teacher (who was self-taught) and I had to get on as best we could, studying from books, and later video tapes -- and generally playing the guessing game.'' It was in 1986, on a trip to Connecticut, that the martial arts enthusiast met Grand Master Cheung, who was a boyhood friend of the late Bruce Lee, and another instructor (who became a close friend), Sifu Dana Wong, who eventually took on the young Bermudian.

For two years, they trained together, back and forth between the US and Bermuda, with seminars held here for fellow enthusiasts in 1987 and 1988.

After that, he went off to Las Vegas where Sifu Blaine Collins, the other great exponent of the art, lived and trained.

Wing-Chun Kung-Fu is perfect for women From Page 24 "He is a very, very strict teacher who just doesn't allow mistakes or failure! You have to be prepared to train all night to get a move correct, and I often did just that.'' Under his eagle-eyed tuition, Delroi Flood achieved Level 5, which in itself is considered a high rank. But he pressed on to higher goals and started taking additional lessons from another top instructor, Sifu Eric Oram, who has also visited Bermuda to conduct seminars and private lessons for Kung-Fu followers.

In 1990, he joined other representatives from all over the US and Canada at a special celebration in honour of Grand Master Sifu Cheung, who was celebrating his 50th birthday. That same year, Delroi Flood was officially promoted to Level 6 but trained to Level 8.

"I've had to absorb so much in such a short time during these sessions, that it gave me a headache at times,'' he laughs, "but I always managed to keep going and pull through and with prayer, I managed to work it out. I am a firm believer in God and it is his will that has got me this far.'' When he finally travelled to Australia, he put in a punishing session with the Grand Master. "He still moves like someone in his twenties. I will never forget the things he has shared with me. Master Cheung is virtually a living legend in martial arts circles around the world. He was responsible for introducing Bruce Lee to Great-Grand Master Yip Man, who was Cheung's teacher.'' Mr. Flood rose at 7.30 a.m. each day to go through the laborious weapon training and they often worked long after the school was closed for the day.

"I am so grateful, too, to Sifu Wong, who believed in me ever since we met four years ago.'' Working by day as a janitor and maintenance man at the Bermuda College, Mr.

Flood spends his evenings training and passing on his art to students who are 15 years of age or over, at St. Augustine's Church Hall in Pembroke.

Now that he has finally been awarded the Gold Sash that only Level 10 instructors in Wing-Chun are allowed to wear, he says he is grateful, also, to his family, friends, teachers and students in Bermuda who helped him achieve his great ambition.

WORKING OUT -- Sifu Wong (left) and Bermudian Delroi Flood in the middle of a tough workout.

FRIENDS -- Delroi Flood (right) and Sifu Wong.