(31 Oct 2021)
The 1st martial art seminar by Leung Sheung Lineage Wing Chun International Fellow Confederation took place at BP International on Sunday in Hong Kong. It ended in massive success despite the strict anti-epidemic measures.
The most senior student of grandmaster Leung Sheung, Kwok Keung, one of the “four tigers,” gave an opening speech. His little brother, yet internationally well-known historian Dr. S.T. Kwok of Hong Kong Chinese University, gave a keynote speech.
Prof. Kwok presented Leung Sheung Lineage of Wing Chun from cultural and philosophical perspectives and shared his profound knowledge in plain language for the audience. More than a half-century ago, Dr. Kwok joined his big brother to learn Wing Chun.
Leung Sheung, the first student of Yip Man, is known for his low-key, humble character. “Leung Sheung never put up a sign-board, and he did not teach Wing Chun commercially. “, Prof. Kwok explained.
Many of Leung Sheung’s students recalled they could meet Leung Sheung through someone who knew both mutually. “Almost nobody outside could find Leung Sheung even if they wanted to see him, one of his students told.
“When I was learning under Sifu Leung Sheung, we practiced Siu Lim Tau, the first set of forms, often more than one hour. On cold winter days, we could see the steam coming off our heads!” Lam Shu Sing cheerfully told as if back in his youth.
Then young boys spent their past time in martial arts studios, when gadgets like smartphones and video games were unavailable. If we teach students the traditional way, many would feel too strenuous or strict and may not return to the next lesson. How we adapt the teaching approach and simultaneously preserve the core teachings and techniques is a challenge for instructors in the new age.
