"Official" biography of Lam Sai Wing
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 11:04 pmAn article from "ZHONGGUO WUSHU ZENMING CIDIAN"
A Dictionary of "Wellknown Masters of Chinese Martial Arts", edited by Chang Cang and Zhou Li Chang.
Lam Sai Wing (1861-1942, or 1860-1943 according to other sources) was born in Nanhai district, Guangdong . He followed the customs of his ancestors and learned the traditional martial arts of his family. Afterwards he proceeded to learn from Lin Fu Cheng, Huang Fei Hong (Wong Fei Hung), and Wu Quan Mei.
Through his persistent training he became a very skilful master in the martial arts. He founded the ‘Wu Ben Tang’ (The Hall of Fundamental Study) in Guangzhou (Canton) where he taught his martial arts. During his life he had over 10.000 students.
Towards the end of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) he gained the first place at a large martial arts competition that took place at the Dongjiao ground. Thanks to this he received a silver medal handed to him by Dr. Sun Yat Sen*, as a token of the recognition of his great services and successes.
In the following years he combined, with the techniques of the Tiger and the Crane as a base, as well as techniques of Hung Gar Kuen** and Fo Kuen*** styles, a new school named ‘Fu Hok Sheung Ying Kuen’ (The Double Form of the Tiger and the Crane).
When he became older he moved to Hong Kong**** where he started teaching martial arts. Together with his favorite students Zhu Yu Zhai, Zhang Shi Biao, Li Shi Hui, and others, he wrote (three) books: Fook Fu Kuen (Conquering the Tiger Fist), Tiet Sin Kuen (Iron Thread Fist), and Fu Hok Sheung Ying Kuen (The Double Form of the Tiger and the Crane).
Lam Sai Wing marked a new era and a new school of martial arts, especially in creating a complex form like Fu Hok Sheung Ying Kuen. This form is practiced on a large scale both in China and abroad, and the interest is growing. After the formation of the People's Republic of China (1949) this style was included into the syllabus of (sports) institutes and higher grade martial arts schools.
...................................................................................................
Found this text on my harddisc.
Some of what is written here is contradicted by other biographical notes on Lam Sai Wing.
For example:
In the last years of the Qing Dynasty there was a tournament in which Lam Sai Wing took first place, so his fame in the city of Guangzhou grew.
Lam was also a very modest and kind person. He was very civilized and not selfish. When money was needed for good purposes he gave performances to collect money.
In 1921 there was a collection for the Guangzhou Orphanage.
Lam Sai Wing demonstrated his skills and got the attention of president Sun Yat Sen, who praised his martial prowess. Sun Yat Sen handed Lam a medal for his good work for the community.
A Dictionary of "Wellknown Masters of Chinese Martial Arts", edited by Chang Cang and Zhou Li Chang.
Lam Sai Wing (1861-1942, or 1860-1943 according to other sources) was born in Nanhai district, Guangdong . He followed the customs of his ancestors and learned the traditional martial arts of his family. Afterwards he proceeded to learn from Lin Fu Cheng, Huang Fei Hong (Wong Fei Hung), and Wu Quan Mei.
Through his persistent training he became a very skilful master in the martial arts. He founded the ‘Wu Ben Tang’ (The Hall of Fundamental Study) in Guangzhou (Canton) where he taught his martial arts. During his life he had over 10.000 students.
Towards the end of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) he gained the first place at a large martial arts competition that took place at the Dongjiao ground. Thanks to this he received a silver medal handed to him by Dr. Sun Yat Sen*, as a token of the recognition of his great services and successes.
In the following years he combined, with the techniques of the Tiger and the Crane as a base, as well as techniques of Hung Gar Kuen** and Fo Kuen*** styles, a new school named ‘Fu Hok Sheung Ying Kuen’ (The Double Form of the Tiger and the Crane).
When he became older he moved to Hong Kong**** where he started teaching martial arts. Together with his favorite students Zhu Yu Zhai, Zhang Shi Biao, Li Shi Hui, and others, he wrote (three) books: Fook Fu Kuen (Conquering the Tiger Fist), Tiet Sin Kuen (Iron Thread Fist), and Fu Hok Sheung Ying Kuen (The Double Form of the Tiger and the Crane).
Lam Sai Wing marked a new era and a new school of martial arts, especially in creating a complex form like Fu Hok Sheung Ying Kuen. This form is practiced on a large scale both in China and abroad, and the interest is growing. After the formation of the People's Republic of China (1949) this style was included into the syllabus of (sports) institutes and higher grade martial arts schools.
...................................................................................................
Found this text on my harddisc.
Some of what is written here is contradicted by other biographical notes on Lam Sai Wing.
For example:
In the last years of the Qing Dynasty there was a tournament in which Lam Sai Wing took first place, so his fame in the city of Guangzhou grew.
Lam was also a very modest and kind person. He was very civilized and not selfish. When money was needed for good purposes he gave performances to collect money.
In 1921 there was a collection for the Guangzhou Orphanage.
Lam Sai Wing demonstrated his skills and got the attention of president Sun Yat Sen, who praised his martial prowess. Sun Yat Sen handed Lam a medal for his good work for the community.