Recalling the Life of Bruce Lee s Teacher by David Peterson January 28th 1997 was a very sad day for the martial arts, and indirectly, for fans of Hong Kong cinema, specifically, for fans of the legend that is Bruce Lee. On that day, wing chun kung-fu master, Si fu Wong Shun Leung, 61, teacher and friend of the late martial arts superstar, lost his fight for life following a massive stroke and ensuing coma that had befallen him some 16 days earlier. Considered by many to be a fighter and instructor of unparalleled skill, Sifu Wong was renowned for earning the title of Gong Sau Wong ( King of Talking with the Hands ) after surviving countless beimo, or comparison of skills, throughout the 50s and 60s, emerging every time as undefeated and undisputed champion. These were not tournament fights as conducted in the West, with rules, protective equipment or time limits. Instead, they were full-on fights between representatives of the various schools of 1 / 5
combat in Hong Kong, and Sifu Wong is said to have let his hands do the talking by winning the majority of these contests within just three punches! In one such match, arranged by a reporter working for a prominent Hong Kong newspaper of the day, Wong (who stood barely 5 6 tall and weighed in at around 120lbs) easily defeated a visiting Russian boxer named Giko, a giant of a man who weighed over 250lbs and stood some twelve inches taller than the dynamic wing chun exponent. Wong almost single-handedly put this previously low-profile martial art in the public spotlight, gaining great prestige for his teacher, the late grandmaster, Yip Man. Wong s reputation as an invincible fighter also attracted the attention of the young Bruce Lee, who had only recently joined the Yip Man wing chun s chool after having been introduced to the system by his friend, William Cheung, who was later to become a prominent, some might say controversial, spokesman for the wing chun clan. Initially, Lee had trained with his friend Cheung, but when Cheung left for Australia to further his education, Lee became the protegé of Wong Shun Leung who, at almost six years his senior and assistant instructor at the school, commanded the young (around 16 years of age) Bruce Lee s unwavering respect. In the beginning of their student/teacher relationship, Wong found the young Lee to be quite lazy in his approach to training, consequently his progress in the art was relatively slow. It wasn t too long, however, after witnessing first hand the devastating effectiveness of Wong s skills, that Lee began to take his wing chun training far more seriously. In fact, Lee was so keen to learn from Wong that he even found devious ways of monopolising his sihing s teaching time. Wong was, at the time, running training sessions out of his home (his father had helped him to set up a small area for this purpose), as well as helping his teacher Yip Man conduct the classes at the kwoon. After unsuccessfully approaching Wong for private lessons, the young Little Dragon found another method of getting his own way. 2 / 5
On more than one occasion, after school was finished for the day, Lee would rush over to Wong s house in order to arrive before his sihingdai. Later on, Sifu Wong would often recount this story to his students, this writer included, saying how Bruce would check that he was indeed the first to arrive, afterwhich he would make up some excuse to leave for a while, whereby he would head downstairs to wait for his classmates to arrive. Sitting on the steps, looking dejected, he would greet his friends with the news that Wong was ill, out on an errand, or otherwise indisposed, then walk with them down the street, even going as far as to help them board a bus for home. Once he was sure that they had all departed the scene, Bruce would double back to Wong s to take advantage of what was now a private lesson. Eventually, Wong became aware of this little ruse and, according to others of that era, gave his young disciple an especially realistic lesson, complete (so the story goes) with black eyes, split lips and a bloody nose! Despite his awesome reputation as a fighter, Wong was not a violent man per se, but he revelled in the chance to test his skills and the effectiveness of Yip Man s art. I didn t actually learn wing chun just to go out and fight. Kung-fu should really be used as a way of protecting yourself in circumstances where you are physically threatened, he was quoted as saying in an interview conducted in Australia some years ago. After I learnt the skills of win g chun from Yip Man, I often had the opportunity to test them. By experimenting with my skills I could discover their limitations and how they compared with other disciplines and so improve myself. It was during this period of experimentation that Wong Shun Leung first introduced Bruce Lee to the experience of the beimo and in the very first of Lee s matches, Wong (who was actually refereeing the fight) coached him between rounds, urging him to continue when it had appeared that Lee was about to give up the fight. 3 / 5
It it superstar on accompanied skill Siu (Bruce) Jesse (his Man s Glover Lee, wing style, As America, occasional restricted survive, overcome measured defeat Many be and spending years Sifu heralded could learning fate Lung first may chun and clan Glover also would today, be succeeds, American well curtailing that rightly the visit and about wrote a be him have steady the and In beginnings Bruce by a said 59 had what that world to student) decisive Lee the it, the one Bruce stream circumstances successfully studied that Wong credit opportunity to had was venue Hong such of the stated, influence transpired, told should the was of privately resulting discover and letters Kong me training...the to Wong defeated encouraged rightfully that Lee train arose for between took for victory him many regime filming wrote, with was a that Wong year all in go most years Wong. four changed was the challengers. teacher lead Even or to that him aside responsible family you. future. the later. to would For a though go Bruce greatest half and the In and visits, senior the If It writing see someday, under course student. said, with next having I reported am his him fighter (in about the both Fortunately several relationship (technically) training) of become Many to match. development Bruce him that leave this the years, of grandmaster period the Lee s This these for Bruce you with a Yip martial a apart student trial life, new of letters Wong Man. Lee s Bruce of certainly from life Yip arts Wong early television. their traced reality, fortune martial one leading of once Wong the whatever evening, back the his At I spoke from learned theories personal 7.00am Shun up own skill to his to of to development retiring Leung time his my martial right his the fighting lessons own Kung-fu teacher, of next through in to could premature arts combat. the concepts that morning occasion and from hallway using with a film fighter, learnt you. night! his demise. they by Wong s when careers, while teacher which Over from were but their level try Sifu and still Lee when wives years, of would there, Wong Lee never expertise back might, sat began Lee eventually having and, forgot with would Hong Bruce to as their where talked, discuss Kong strive become after Lee children yardstick his trained during was their obtaining to roots be famous watching never favourite by and able the were, which both tested final able to for martial Yip the of topic was can still fame he life, the Yip, Lee specifically Kareem character Bey COMBAT magazine, die time, However, Kong, documentary can Han s set, Wong Bruce s that 1986 was Logan of Lee s Abdul keen interview was...but the final to role Jabbar involve he opponent for that would beaten Britain s was Wong still later Bruce, have in the his to top be managed movies, Wong of played the told Tower offering by kill basketball me! of him Death I a told part star him at in so my I first didn t movie! wasn t have to one Wong do to the also give film added up (just) easily that, to and, make...(besides) when money. shooting I wasn t Enter the that Game dire end the I didn t financial of Dragon of the Death, briefly sparring he Weapon Lee: invited observe the with Man Room Wong an Wong and extra, to the come and the Legend on reacting location to punches discuss thrown the fight by Lee scenes. himself. Anyone Over want film. viewing straits the in to My (Lu Sifu simply wing 1976, Hsiao-lung), chun was played Bruce Fingers involved himself, Lee which look-alike a the number hero s of instructor. film and television He was also projects, the including the movie Hong years go at and the the consultant Stranger (aka: ) Michelle, The. and starring Formidable Story a Hong Yim From and of Kong Wing action Shaolin Lady Chun television choreographer From Shaolin mini-series for the called film which occasionally for articles concerned them, extract wing practitioners. discussions, no On advantage motto Wong ( bone-setting ), (a calligrapher Chinese, and Sifu Rather of claims preferring conducted a Science number chun attempting Wong controversial and produced with interviews of authored preferring Shun of Always In-fighting his Chinese-language to famous Leung determine views as the articles to part diplomat, magazines either pupil, also of Lee on his a restrict starred series his Bruce role Wong martial all beloved other himself over Lee, would instructional arts a the career and training magazines, to never world. delved positive of video allow tapes A into number comments, superstar, and on himself the his was the relationship of style, early to these and be subject else entitled shared dar very comment, skills self-improvement. To was than whole, useful of with a of wing with standing practitioner dismissing someone skill, which Wong the a chun profound myself considering traditional preferred up which else s would with his knowledge enquiry achievements. spend each method to ancient his own constantly downplay line personal days with many of Chinese of work!) treating training. ancient tested wry hours his Instead, soap role smile. art He writing sprains, and forms box, of addition refined Lee s proclaiming also of classical just bruises, writing instructor, got over to accomplished teaching poetry unknown dislocated the his with years, not 80s. the often drawn Kung-fu, articles wishing a greatness job between choosing adhering form and He many attempting self-taught of of into Wing also were several broken passing of to such modern relaxation take the to Chun: Sifu was creed, world more contemporaries his fighting was than knowledge seminars rejected obtain quietly worth willing arts. his set teaching. and He to with instruction, about many call workshops taught great martial them destroying grandiose As a enthusiasm, long devoted his arts for student. he have titles a regularly band person students myths tended believing which of was travelled followers and others of to that prepared his do kungfusion representatives attempted anyone, to who recent Europe to travelled work years, regardless associated to and bestow hard, from there. Wong Australia of all upon with Sifu made race, corners where the him, Wong colour make the bones two many toof such heof Refusing fighter special past instructors You On to wing, rather not his would exploits it s chun can devotees than and subject talent, slave, to always who instructor get cash from of bound meaning wasted was, refuse get other more You par up his never their people to that excellence, connection must name money unnecessary student s be names must (if to the you blow Sifu with time master those take or run analysis Wong Bruce his criticise with the out) rare own of endless, concepts insisted Lee, occasions and he trumpet. rival would or potentially styles, that useless of wing say, his the when You his own system was chun,...but techniques dangerous were only formidable a did his simple more you real and speak most can t gripe make limited likely and man, reputation common of get combat being to them such with thinking. more hear with work, events, no advise drills. of time. as his a 4 / 5
It rewards discussed none Steven aficionado. role distinct the At approaching, arranged approached preliminary Bruce begin teacher s Sifu s vast realisation himself appeared the proposed choreography and other shooting Lee time possibility Chow that had a by former aficionado, of than Chow work that, Steven had the negotiated and movie, Sifu Sing comedic months had after long student that there of Wong s Chi Chow. been beginning so eluded Wong had for action leading many sensation of death, done Writers Wong been would him. training Sifu sequences. years, of up the much to April All and Shun with have at to be 25th manner Sifu least with his producers that a talk Leung view untimely anniversary Wong his technical two year on-camera of of former interviews to of and book, when was include from these. passing, a consultant instructor finally lifelong film of I Hong role had Australian Walt him Bruce and and the about Kong book Kung-fu Missingham, video in most Lee s their Story would sad preparation the and projects, producer, task proposed gain significant death of fan most film. around Yip of the and There informing likely including Man, was had recognition martial Bruce ventures the of fast the already been was these starring world upcoming involved Lee artist one him also and being had and The both Wong completed man knowledge will influence Hong Shun whom death. that Kong without Leung not and Sadly, will be experience be often Wing able the this around felt input referred to and Chun personally many that the would Martial to the world. years as have other enjoy Wing The Art to added projects come Association the members Chun s recognition to through will them. Living of now More Legend either which world-wide efforts disappointing not was of take now long his place, many no overdue. still longer students, is else the with set of will and a us, my toin are outstanding flashy by witnessed greatest wing (and Tragically, but his the Legend may Sifu, enjoy {flike} Wong this father, his students, like more dedicated be the chun writer man watching titles students Shun Lee, gone teacher Masters Chinese Behind richer his who like included, with teacher those or Leung and awesome to his your inspired was for indirectly any and the spreading of martial will famous of having sufficient Legend and film seriousness, friend certainly him talent fortunate hero exponent arts through known student to the to in so Bruce recognition be such skills general) many, benefited him. the always greatly to Bruce of greatness. Lee have and the cinematic The will on Lee knowledge art. missed, insisting of been definitely from this, the who While before exploits large touched his but that any Wong wisdom was, him, that never or to other of small by has be in Sifu Shun his be the and called century. been screen, famous Wong forgotten. greatness, hearts Leung instruction, passed left spare pupil and was us The whether minds not far and a next to thought too one was friend, them of time early directly to one all take by for that are who in of this the life, as all the you 5 / 5