Shaolin Fists Kung Fu
Grandmaster Yap Leong
Grandmaster
Yap Leong first studied Shaolin Fists Kung Fu in his hometown in Ipoh,
and was practically the
only one left standing when his friends & colleagues left, after
a short period. He subsequently learnt about the great
prowess of the late Sijo Chee
Kim
Thong and became his Five Ancestor (Wuzu) student in
1968; and subsequently
his official
disciple. Years later Sijo taught Grandmaster Emperor Fists (Taizu)
and
appointed him in charge of the
art in the UK.
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1Late
Sijo Chee Kim Thong supporting Grandmaster Yap
Leong on his legs |
2Late Sijo Chee Kim Thong performing moves prior to his heating up the water bottle with his chi |
3Late Sijo Chee Kim Thong in a pose |
Grandmaster
Yap started his first class around 1978 in the YWCA, after being approached
to do so by a group of
Indonesian and Mauritius students. No
advertisement was needed
as the class was filled
up on opening day.
Throughout
the years his training was tough and culminated in a student becoming a
national
kung fu champion
within ten months. Another ten-month
student was robbed because he
offended a biased judge who
used his influence to persuade the other judges.
Over
the years Grandmaster Yap Leong kept his core training methods, but introduced
others
as different systems
crept in, which were Thai boxing, Jujitsu or MMA. He never deviated from
using kung fu techniques despite
others calling their styles ‘kung fu’ but adopting ‘taekwondo’
techniques in applications.
Shaolin Fists Kung Fu
Shaolin Fists is a southern system based on the
five animals of dragon, snake, tiger,
crane & leopard. Each animal has its own strength and to be
able to apply them
effectively, a thorough knowledge of the essence of such
animals is essential.
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4 Grandmaster Yap Leong in a tiger claw pose |
5 Grandmaster Yap Leong in Wuzuquan San Chien form |
6 Grandmaster Yap Leong doing a back-tiger fist |
7 Grandmaster Yap Leong with Sifu Bobby Yau |
Shaolin Fists Weapons
Shaolin Fists teaches an array of traditional
Chinese weapons ranging from the staff to the
spear. Grandmaster
Yap also teaches the short staff (beggar staff) as well as the shorter
two-foot sticks.
Shaolin Lion Dance Troupe
Grandmaster Yap’s Lion Dance team has been involved
in London Chinatown Chinese
New Year celebrations for nearly 30years. In addition his team has been much sought
after for weddings, opening ceremonies and other
auspicious events.
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8 Shaolin Lion Troup in preparation for the Chinese New Year celebrations with Sifu Annie Yau in the foreground |
9 Shaolin Lion dance troupe 'A' team at the Emirates stadium. Front three – Sifu Zhiwen Leong, Sifu Gee-on Wong & Sifu Bobby Yau with Grandmaster Yap Leong |
10 Richard Branson doting the lion during Year of the Rabbit 1999 with future Sifu Zhiwen in the costume. |
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Shaolin Dragon Dance Troupe
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11 Shaolin Dragon in one of the New Year Celebrations |
12 Shaolin Dragon Dance at the dotting ceremony by Prince Charles in 2000 in London Chinatown. |
13 Shaolin Dragon at the Kensington Roof Garden |
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14 Grandmaster Yap's favourite footballer Ole Gunnar Solskjaer from Manchester United |
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