Yip
Man Tong Grand Opening Ceremony - Page 2
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fame from Foshan also travelled with him. His sparkling
personality caused him to become a very popular pupil
in college. Then one day a class mate offered to introduce
him to an old man who practiced a similar style of fighting.
Confident in himself he agreed to a meeting. The first
thing that surprised Yip Man was the old mans questions
about his martial arts background he seemed to know something
about the Wing Chun style and principles. Shortly after
their introduction Yip Man was invited to touch hands
with the man but seeing the man to be too old and being
so confident in him self Yip Man declined. So the old
man laugh and asked him what's wrong are you afraid of
an old man like me. OK lets play Chi Sau. That was enough
to encourage Yip Man to get engage in a test of skill
but as they began to exchange technique Yip Man could
not keep the old man off. Time and time again, his arms
were tied up, he was pinned and trapped. Shocked and in
disbelief Yip Man showed his respect, he had never lost
an exchange before. Then the old man explained are you
surprised that you lost repeatedly to me? Please let me
introduce myself to you. My name is Leung Bik, I am a
native of Foshan. My father was the famous kung fu expert
Dr Leung Jan, he taught me, my elder brother Leung Chun
and your teacher Chan Wing Chun Kung Fu. So all this time
Yip Man was unaware that the old man was his senior elder
kung fu uncle (Si Pak). |
| Leung
Bik was old and wanted to pass on his fathers fighting
style before he died and so meeting Yip Man he decided
that this was the perfect opportunity to take on an only
disciple. Immediately Yip Man began to study under Leung
Bik. The more traditional form was some what more fluent
than the technique passed down by Chan. The footwork was
one of the points. A finer explanation of the system made
everything much more understandable, flexible and more
effective. After Yip Man completed his studies and Kung
Fu training he returned to Foshan. On returning to his
School he was able to out play all his Kung Fu elders
and so it was agreed that what he had was the true Wing
Chun system. And this confirmed him as the Grandmaster
of the Wing Chun style. |
| There
are many stories of Yip Man from around this time. He
became a policeman in Foshan and solved some major cases.
He arrested some of the roughest, meanest criminals that
came into his area in that time. But as tough as he was
Yip Man was never a boastful man his character is remembered
as a friendly and hospitable person with a true sense
of duty and honour, he was loved by his family and neighbour's
And as a respected man in the province he had wealth and
everything one could want out of life. Then the Second
World War erupted. The Japanese Army invaded china. When
the Japanese entered Foshan the Yip family farmlands were
destroyed then after the war the communist party claimed
most of the family property. In 1949 Yip Man left his
family behind in Foshan to return to Hong Kong and make
a living. Once organised, he planned to reunite his family
in Hong Kong. But Yip man was not able to find suited
work and would not take any offers that he felt was below
his status, and this caused the master to fall into poverty.
He then soon became sick. |
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day Leung Shun a member of the workers union spotted Yip
Man in a poorly condition. His kindness was not able to
pass by and not help so he brought Yip Man into the workers
union where he was able to rest and recover his health.
Leung Shun instructed Kung Fu in the workers union while
Yip man was recovering he often watched the class and
sometimes pointed out weaknesses in the practice. Leung
Shun as this time had no idea that Yip Man was a Kung
Fu Grandmaster, and so seeing Yip Man as an old man he
just ignored the advice. Until one day Yip Man gave a
demonstration and with amazement they all gave up their
practice and became the first Hong Kong students of Grandmaster
Yip Man. Wing Chun has become the national Martial Art
of Hong Kong. Yip Man taught many people Kung Fu in his
later years. Many leading Kung Fu Masters of today came
from his Philosophy of fighting. Bruce Lee was only one
of many, and it is also said that though Bruce was very
good at Wing Chun, he was not the best of the Wing Chun
fighters of his era. |
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| Yip
Man started teaching in Hong Kong around May 1950. He
taught Wing Chun for twelve years and in that time developed
some great fighters. In 1962 his two sons Yip Chun and
Yip Ching were reunited with him in Hong Kong. The Wing
Chun clan was now at the peak of its progress. Many of
Grandmaster Yip Man students started teaching and worked
together to develop the system. In 1964 Yip Man was pleased
to see how Wing Chun had developed in Hong Kong. So he
passed the responsibility of taking classes to his sons
and senior students, he only taught himself by appointment.
He continued to do so right up until he died from throat
cancer in late 1972. After Yip Mans death his eldest son,
Grandmaster Yip Chun, has continued the work in the passing
down of Wing Chun. He has carried his fathers art around
the globe. Wing Chun is now the most practiced Kung Fu
system in the world. |
| If
Yip Man could see the interest people have today I think
he would marvel in seeing how far a field Wing Chun has
spread. I also think he would be very proud of his sons
and disciples for their contributions toward the growth
of Wing Chun popularity. In the Martial Arts world Yip
man will always be remembered, and his spirit will live
on forever in the hearts of Wing Chun fighters for generations
to come. |
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