Sijo Chee Kim Thong - Martial Arts Legend

The late Sijo Chee Kim Thong (passed away in 2001) was a legendary kung fu master from Fujian, China. Whereas stories of so-called legendary masters were simply heresay or 'mouth', Chee Kim Thong was proof of what a great master should be. He was an unbeaten champion fighter and was selected as a member of the famous broad sword brigade in China. The members were selected on the basis of their kung fu skills. Three monks lost to him to combat in China. During the Second World War he saw combat against the invaders in China. A lot of the enemy combatants were eliminated by him either with his weapon or sword. One general lost his life when Chee Kim Thong despatched him with his broadsword, when they ran out of ammunition. In Malaysia, he encountered other kung fu, silat and muay thai fighters whom he defeated with ease. He had to dim mak a bully (gangster) while crossing a river on his boat. The gangster had to see him within three days for treatment. They had to carry him on a stretcher. He once broke a thai-boxer leg. There was never anyone within his school who could even find a weakness in his ability - whether it is fighting, just testing or when he was getting very old. His Chi Sau (sticky hands), Tiu Sau (push hands), Chin Na (Seizing or Grapplong Art) is second to none. Even Yap Leong was treated like a novice when playing with him. He would float him like a butterfly or sink him like the Titanic.

In 1989 Sijo Chee was declared by the Chinese Government as China's National Treasure. In 1991 Grandmaster Sijo appointed Grandmaster Yap Leong to be in charge of the Tai Cho (Emperor Fist) in England.

Sijo Chee showing Yap Leong how to do proper chi sau (sticky hands) and take-down

©Yap Leong

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