Content deleted Content added
Welcome! |
|||
Line 1:
<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:WongSLeung.gif|thumb|Wong Shun Leung]] -->
'''Wong Shun Leung''' (黃惇樑 1935-1997) was a [[Han Chinese|Chinese]] [[Wing Chun]] master. He started training with [[Yip Man]] at 17, after challenging the school. Wong had single handedly beaten one of the senior students, then went head to head with another. Wong was then challenged by the intrigued Yip Man and finding himself completely controlled by him. Already at this age Wong had a reputation as a fighter and Yip Man was at first worried that he would bring trouble for Wing Chun. In fact Wong Shun Leung's prowess as a "''[[Beimo]]''" fighter helped secure Wing Chun its formidable reputation. "Beimo" were semi-organised bare knuckle challenge fights between youths in [[Hong Kong]]. Wong Shun Leung, who stood only 5'6" tall, fought perhaps over 100 of these challenge fights and was never beaten. He earned the name Gong Sau Wong, King of Talking Hands. Once asked if he was the best fighter in the world he replied "No, only the second best." When asked who was the best he said "I don't know, I haven't met him."
Wong stayed with Yip Man many years longer than most of the other famous students, helping Yip Man teach and only opened his own school formally in the late sixties. He taught Wing Chun at his kwoon until his untimely death from a stroke. Notable students included Clive Potter and Anthony Kan[http://www.wongvingtsun.co.uk/]in the UK,[http://www.wongshunleung.com Philipp Bayer], [http://www.schoener-fruehling.de Attilio Reale], [http://www.wingchun.com.hk/pwc97/pg.htm Wan Kam-Leung], [http://www.garylamwingchun.com/ Gary Lam], [http://www.ninobernardo.com/ Nino Bernardo], [http://www.wslwingchun.com David Peterson], Lawrence Leung (Leung Chi Shing) and, of course, [[Jeet Kune Do]] founder and [[martial arts]] legend [[Bruce Lee]], who later screen tested Wong for an appearance in the ill-fated "[[Game of Death]]" and corresponded regularly with Wong on the subject of the [[science]] of fighting. In one letter Lee wrote "Even though I am (technically) a student of [[Yip Man]], in reality I learned my Kung fu from you."
== Lineage ==
{| border cellpadding=5
| colspan="2" align="center" | Lineage in Wing Chun
|-
|[[Sifu]]||[[Yip Man]] (葉問)
|-
| colspan="2" align="center" | <br>'''Wong Shun-leung''' (黃惇樑)<br>
|-
|Known students||Bruce Lee <br> Nino Bernado<br>Lawrence Leung (Leung Chi Sing)<br>Wan Kam-Leung<br>Gary Lam<br>David Peterson <br>Enzo Verratti http://www.wslwingchun.org/<br>Phillip Bayer<br>Barry Lee<br>Clive Potter http://www.wongvingtsun.co.uk/<br>Anthony Kan<br> Attilio Reale http://www.schoener-fruehling.de/<br>numerous others
|}
----
{{martialart-stub}}
On 11 January, 1970, Bruce Lee wrote a letter to Sifu Wong Shun-Leung. In the letter, Bruce says "Actually, I have to thank you for leading me to walk on a practical road. Especially in the States, there are western boxers; I often practice with them too. There are many so-called masters in Wing Chun here, I really hope that they will not be so blind to fight with those western boxers...."
'''Wong Shun Leung in Open Kung Fu Competition'''
On 22 November, 1957, The Taiwan-Hong Kong-Macau Open Chinese Kung Fu Competition (台港澳國術比賽) was first held in Taiwan. Wong Shun Leung (黃惇樑), also known as The King of the Talking Hands (講手王), represented Hong Kong Wing Chun and entered this competition. Wong Shun Leung competed in his respective weight class and had one preliminary round match. After this competition, Wong Shun Leung returned to Hong Kong and continued to take part in illegal rooftop fighting competitions ( ''Beimo'' ). Although Wong Shun Leung never competed in open matches again, he continued to win in "Beimo" matches. Today, Wong Shun Leung is widely recognized in the Wing Chun world as an undefeated "Beimo" fighter who was able to have "let his hands do the talking" by winning the majority of his "Beimo" matches within just "three punches".
'''Wong Shun Leung's Most Famous "Beimo" Match'''
''Wong Shun Leung versus Giko'' is perhaps the most often mentioned "Beimo" match by Wong Shun Leung's students on the Internet. This "Beimo" match is said to have been arranged by an anonymous Hong Kong reporter who worked for an anonymous Hong Kong newspaper. Wong Shun Leung (stood barely 5 ft 6 in tall and weighed around 120 lbs) is said to have easily defeated Giko, a visiting Russian boxer who weighed over 250 lbs and stood 6 ft 6 in, within just "three punches".
'''Wong Shun Leung and His Influence on Hawkins Cheung''' (張學健)
After the competition in 1957, Wong Shun Leung attended Karate classes in Hong Kong for a short period of time. Hawkins Cheung, following his [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sihing Sihing]'s footsteps, attended Karate classes in later years. Unlike his [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sihing Sihing], Hawkins Cheung continued his Karate training for many years and achieved the rank of 2nd Degree Black Belt in Hong Kong before he left for a special mission to promote Wing Chun in the United States of America in the 1970's. Today, Grandmaster Hawkins Cheung holds a 3rd Degree Black Belt in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goju-Ryu Goju-Ryu Karate]. Like his [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sihing Sihing], Grandmaster Hawkins Cheung is widely known in the martial arts world for proving his combat Wing Chun skills "on the roof tops" in Hong Kong (alongside with his [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sihing Sihing], Wong Shun Leung, in the 1950's). Also, like his [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sihing Sihing], Grandmaster Hawkins Cheung is known to have been undefeated in illegal rooftop fighting competitions.
[http://www.hawkinscheung.com/html/profile.htm Grandmaster Hawkins Cheung] is a world-renowned Wing Chun expert. He has been featured in many martial arts magazines, including Black Belt, Inside Kung Fu, and Martial Arts illustrated. He has instructed many students from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F.B.I. F.B.I.] and various U.S. military special units such as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_Corps_Force_Recon Marine Corps Force Recon]. He has also trained actors within the entertainment industry for leading action roles in motion pictures, both in the U.S. and Hong Kong. Grandmaster Hawkins Cheung is now based in Los Angles, California, and is widely publicized as the most senior Yip Man Wing Chun instructor in the United States of America.
'''Sifu Dave Lacey Comments on the 1957 Open Kung Fu Championships Hosted in Taiwan'''
The following is quoted in its entirety from [http://members-central.optushome.com.au/meanstreets/clf/clfsifu.htm Sifu Lacey's Website:]
Master Lai Hung was only in his early twenties ...As he had returned from the South East Asian Full Contact Kung Fu Championships hosted in Taiwan in 1957, he was very famous as he has brought back a lot of glory for the Hong Kong martial artists. This tounament had fighters from Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Macau Hong Kong, etc, and it did not last for one day - it lasted for a period of four days. The tournament was very rough as the fighters only wore fingerless mitts and due to the large number of fighters who were seriously injured, the tournament was described as a "bloodbath". Lai Hung had to fight four elimination fights and he was pitted against Taiwan's toughest champions - fighters with nick names like "Iron Leg Lim", "King of the kicks", etc. Undaunted though, Lai Hung displayed great courage and superior martial skills by defeating all four of his opponents - sending two of them flying out of the ring, with blood splattering everyone near the ring. Of all the fighters representing the Hong Kong Chinese martial arts circles, only two managed to gain victory in the championships - [http://www.buksing.com/history/lai_hung/l_h_1.html Lai Hung and his si-hing, Chan Woo Leung]. All of the other Hong Kong fighters among them Wing Chun's well known Wong Shun Leung, were all defeated.
'''''REMARK''''': [http://www.htai.com/kungfu/laihung.html '''''Master Lai Hung is'' 黎雄師傅''']
'''[http://wslwingchun.resolvedesign.com/sifu_david_peterson.htm David Peterson] ( Student of Wong Shun Leung ) Comments on his Sifu's Loss in Taiwan in 1957'''
At the urging of very senior members of the [http://www.answers.com/topic/yip-man Yip Man Wing Chun Fraternity in Hong Kong], who are outraged by the deflamatory remarks that have been directed at my late Sifu, I am hereby attempting to set the record straight on this matter. Without mentioning specific names or personal matters associated with this incident, the simple truth is that Wong Shun Leung entered the tournament in question, which took place in Taiwan in 1957, in less than his best physical condition. Leading up to the event, he had been "led astray" by a younger WC brother who was at the time seeking to learn from my Sifu, and whom had managed to distract my teacher from his normal training regime. Prior to this time, Wong Shun Leung was fully established as the fiercest and most successful fighter in the WC Clan, if not in all of Hong Kong. His exploits were regularly reported in the newspapers of the day and his ability as a fighter was common knowledge. To cut to the chase, Wong Shun Leung was actually WINNING the fight in question and had totally overwhelmed his opponent, despite not being in peak condition, and he had knocked his opponent down when he was himself injured. As his opponent fell, his legs flew upwards, one of them striking my Sifu in the lower abdomen, severely winding him and causing painful muscle spasms. As a result, the fight was awarded to the opponent on a technicality because he was able to return to his feet, whilst Wong Shun Leung was not. Yes, he was carried from the ring on a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stretcher stretcher], but was not, as has been claimed, knocked out and defeated - he had already knocked his opponent down! As was stated by my Si-Bak Gung in Hong Kong, as far as those of his generation are concerned, Wong Shun Leung was NEVER beaten and this particular event, in their eyes, does not constitute a loss at all. As a postscript to these comments, my teacher NEVER laid claim to being anything other than a teacher and follower of the WC system. All the titles and accolades have been bestowed upon him, including the title of 'Gong Sau Wong'. Funny thing is, no one ever challenged his prowess when he was alive - all of the "attacks" have only come since his passing - it is sad when you consider how much he contributed to the development and fame of the art. Perhaps if those who are so quick to judge, question or criticise had met him, they might change their mind and recount their accusations. Wong Shun Leung was a gentleman, a scholar, a family man and a great teacher - he didn't boast, slander others or make false claims, ...but he could sure kick butt. Those who were around at the time all know the truth. DMP
'''''SOURCE''': [http://www.vingtsun.com.hk/forum/reply.asp?message=3971&replyid=&level=&all=True '''See Below External Links or Click Here''']''
==External links==
*[http://www.cebridge.com.au/wongwebsite/kwoon/Legend.htm A more thorough life story]
*[http://www.wingchun.com/wslbeimo.htm "What I have learned through Beimo" by Wong Shun Leung]
*[http://www.wcarchive.com/bios/wsl-method.htm Wong Shun Leung League Pictures and Stories]
*[http://www.whatthefilm.org/ Free short movie featuring a beimo-style confrontation in the spirit of Wong Shun Leung]
*[http://www.vingtsun.com.hk/forum/reply.asp?message=3971&replyid=&level=&all=True '''DAVID PETERSON Comments on Wong Shun Leung's Loss in Taiwan''' ( 22 November,1957 )]
*[http://www.wingchunkuen.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=73 Wong Shun Leung Easily Defeated the 250-lb Giko in The Legend Behind the Legend, Wong Shun Leung Method by David Peterson]
*[http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pborowingchun1/different.htm Wong Shun Leung Easily Defeated A Visiting Russian Boxer Named Giko in Wong Shun Leung: The Legend Behind the Legend, Recalling the Life of Bruce Lee's Teacher, by David Peterson]
*[http://home.vtmuseum.org/articles/peterson/wongpers.php Wong Shun Vs. Giko in WONG SHUN LEUNG: Wing Chun Personified by David Peterson]
*[http://wslwingchun.resolvedesign.com/wong_shun_leung_the_legend_behind_the_legend.htm Wong Shun Leung Easily Defeated a Russian Heavyeight Boxer]
*[http://www.teamwingchun.co.uk/wingchun/history.php Wong Shun Leung Defeated the Giant Giko with Just Three Punches - '''Click On''' ''The late Wong Shun Leung, a student of Yip Man>> more'']
*[http://www.wongvingtsun.co.uk/ WONG SHUN LEUNG is Said to Have Had Over 100 "Beimo" Fights in His Younger Days and Had Never Lost]
*[http://wslwingchun.resolvedesign.com/sifu_david_peterson.htm About Sifu David Peterson]
*[http://members-central.optushome.com.au/meanstreets/clf/clfsifu.htm Sifu DAVE LACEY's Website]
*[http://www.hawkinscheung.com/html/profile.htm ABOUT WORLD-RENOWNED GRANDMASTER HAWKINS CHEUNG ( 世界馳名的張學健大師傅 )]
*[http://web.ukonline.co.uk/ray.d8/article13.html Bruce Lee's letter to Wong Shun-leung (English Version)]
*[http://wingchun.com.hk/big4/index.htm Wong Shun Leung's Four Senior Diciples ( 黃淳樑四位大弟子合照 )]
*[http://www.wingchun.com/img/WongSLeung.gif Photo of Wong Shun Leung on the Wooden Dummy]
*[http://www.wingchun.com/img/WSLcolor.gif 1970's Photo of Wong Shun Leung Sparrng]
*[http://hk.geocities.com/hkvingtsun/Wsl.jpg Vintage Photo of the Young Wong Shun Leung / 黃淳樑年青時的圖片]
*[http://hk.geocities.com/hkvingtsun/j.3men.jpg Vintage Photo of Wong Shun Leung and the Rooftop Fighting Competitors / 黃淳樑與天台比武者合照]
*[http://hk.geocities.com/hkvingtsun/j.f1.jpg Vintage Photo of 1961 Hong Kong Rooftop Fighting (Photo 1) / 一九六一年天台比武的珍貴圖片(一)]
*[http://hk.geocities.com/hkvingtsun/j.f2.jpg Vintage Photo of 1961 Hong Kong Rooftop Fighting (Photo 2) / 一九六一年天台比武的珍貴圖片(二)]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kakkvSYNOY0 1950's Hong Kong Rooftop Fighting Match / 1950年代的天台比武 -- Wong Shun Leung Self-performed Re-enactment]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw8u72gYx2E Wong Shun Leung Met Secretly with Bruce Lee for 12 Hours: Self-performed Re-enactment / 黃淳樑與李小龍密室通宵十二小時之謎]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22vtvweTNUw Wong Shun-leung Sparring Clip ( 黃惇樑 - 講手短片 )]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vR7RUxHI_w&mode=related&search= Wong Shun-leung Siu Lim Tao Demonstration / 黃淳樑 -- 小念頭]
*[http://www.htai.com/kungfu/laihung.html Master Lai Hung, Champion of 1957 Taiwan-Hong Kong-Macau Open Kung Fu Competition / 黎雄師傅 (1957台港澳國術比賽冠軍)]
*[http://www.buksing.com/history/lai_hung/l_h_1.html Lai Hung (黎雄), One of the Only Two Competitors Represented Hong Kong Who Won First Place in the 1957 Kung Fu Competition in Taiwan (The Other Hong Kong Representative Who Won First Place was Lai Hung's Sihing, Chan Woo Leung)]
*[http://www.bullshido.net/forums/sitemap/index.php/t-1588.html About Grandmaster Wong Shun-Leung's Only Competition Match in Taiwan ( 22 November, 1957 )]
*[http://www.bullshido.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1588 About Wong Shun-Leung's Fight in Taiwan (1957)]
| |||