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Sifu John S.S. Leong, originally from
Kwantung Province China, began his kung-fu training at the age of 12. Sifu
Leong later went to Hong Kong and studied Hung Gar Kung-Fu under the late
Master Wong Lee. In 1963, Sifu Leong began teaching in Seattle and
established the Seattle Kung-Fu Club where he continues to pass on the
tradition of Hung-Gar Kung-Fu.
The founder of Hung-Gar Kung-Fu, Hung Hei-Kwun, studied Kung-Fu at the
Fukien Shaolin Temple. After the temple’s destruction by the Ching Dynasty
Government, Hung Hei-Kwun fled to Kwantung province, China. He continued to
spread the Shaolin teachings, but to avoid further persecution by the Ching
Government he used the name ‘Hung Gar Boxing’ in place of ‘Shaolin’. The
Term ‘Hung-Gar’ refers to the House of Hung-Mo Chu, the first Emperor of the
Ming Dynasty.
From this beginning, Hung Gar Kung-Fu has become known for its strong
stances and moral virtue. Sifu Leong has continued to uphold the emphasis on
the discipline, morality, honor and respect which characterize Hung-Gar
Kung-Fu. He believes that he should be a mirror for his students, reflecting
to them the ideals of morality that martial arts should represent.
Throughout the Seattle Kung-Fu Club’s long thirty-year history, Sifu Leong
has instilled a strong respect and teaching of Chinese culture. When one
enters the school, it is as though one has stepped into another time and
place. Students treat each other as an extended family where senior students
are referred to as older brothers and sisters.
Over the years, the Seattle Kung-Fu club has reached out to the community by
organizing martial arts demonstrations and large-scale exhibitions. As early
as 1968, Sifu Leong began building the reputation of the school for hosting
Kung-Fu events that not only delighted audiences, but also drew in expert
martial arts practitioners from around the world.
Almost every year, Sifu Leong has produced major Kung-fu / Martial Arts
tournaments, many of which have toured other parts of the United states. All
proceeds from these events have always been donated to charitable
organizations. In 1973 and 1975, Sifu Leong hosted international Kung-Fu
exhibitions at Hec Edmundson Pavilion that drew over 6000 spectators. In
1981, Sifu Leong hosted an international exhibition that was a covered in a
featured article in Inside Kung-Fu magazine. In 1984, the Seattle Kung Fu
club presented the All Masters Exhibition Tour in Seattle, Los Angeles, and
San Francisco. In 1986, Sifu Leong hosted the Beijing Wushu Team for a
demonstration in Seattle. In 1987 and 1993, Sifu Leong presented the Can-Am
Northwest Martial Arts Benefits, where proceeds were donated to the Fred
Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and other charities. In 1995, Sifu Leong
continued the tradition by holding the first-ever United Kung-Fu Federation
of North America International Tournament and Exhibition in Seattle. He
continues to host world-renowned masters in Seattle, such as Chi Gung Master
Hok Ting Chu, who returns to Seattle for the second time in 1998.
Sifu Leong has organized and taken part in a number of excursions to China,
both as cultural exchange ventures and as educational endeavors for his
students. In 1985 Sifu Leong and the Seattle Kung-Fu Club traveled to Hong
Kong and took third place in Hong Kong’s annual International Lion Dance
competition. Later that same year, by invitation of the Chinese Wushu
Association, Sifu Leong represented the United States as a member of the
U.S. Kung-Fu Team at the International Chinese Wushu Invitational
Championships in Xian, China. In 1989, Sifu Leong was invited by the
Government of Kwantung Province, China, to participate in numerous ground
breaking cerimonies and the opening of a new educational television station.
Sifu Leong was presented a new lion head, and lion dance equipment by the
Mayor of Tai Shan, China. Members of the Seattle Kung-Fu Club accompanied
Sifu Leong and performed lion dance and kung-fu exhibitions as part of the
celebrations.
As a result of Sifu Leong’s strong ties to China he was able to organize, in
conjunction with Sifu Chan Pui, a 1992 U.S. tour of Shaolin monks from
China. This was the first time ever that Monks from the Shaolin temple have
performed outside of their home country. It was a cultural exchange that
benefited not only all those who were fortunate enough to be able to witness
the event, but also the monks, who received financial as well as moral
support which has formed the basis of a continuing relationship.
Sifu Leong has been featured in numerous martial arts publications. In 1982,
he received honorable mention "Top Ten Instructor of the year" from Kung-Fu
Magazine. In 1984, he was featured on the cover of Inside Kung-Fu magazine
and in a feature article titled The Moral Power of Hung Gar. In 1988, Sifu
Leong was honored as Humanitarian of the Year in Inside Kung-fu Yearbook.
With all of his accomplishments you might think that Sifu Leong would boast
of his achievements and tout his reputation. Nothing could be further from
the truth. In fact he represents the consummate example of humility, honor,
healthfulness and respect which are such important aspects of Martial Arts
practice. In this spirit, the students of the Seattle Kung-Fu Club endeavor
to follow his lofty example and lead the life of a true Martial Artist,
respecting self and others and living a healthy life.
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