How did you first get involved with martial arts?
When I was a young child, I was sickly. My parents sent for Grandmaster Lee Kwan Shan to teach me Kung Fu to improve my health.
Who were your early influences?
My Sifu, Master Lee Kwan Shan.
What do you think is the major difference between training in the USA and training in China?
USA training is more like a sport. They (the students) learn self defense and practice but for different reasons than in China. In China, the traditional way had many secrets within each family. They (the teachers) only taught the sons because daughters would leave the family once they were married. Training in China was far more intense than in the USA as well.
What was the last movie/TV show/entertainment you saw that featured some martial arts? If yes, do you think it did the art justice?
A Jackie Chan movie. Although there were a lot of acrobatics, there were also many moves that had good Kung Fu.
Do you think the commercialization, both in Asian and Western, of martial arts has helped or harmed your martial arts? And why?
There are both advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is that martial arts is spread throughout the world and is more well known. However, the disadvantage is that there are not that many traditional martial arts schools for people to learn the real art. Since there are so many schools that are opened now, the teachers are less experienced and less knowledgeable.
What do you think should be done to further promote martial arts?
There should be more tournaments, seminars and exhibitions to gather all martial artists together. By producing more movies and documentaries, it will help to promote martial arts.
What advice do you have for people who wants to learn your martial arts or martial arts in general?
To do what Kung Fu means, hard work.
Why did you build your temple in Florida?
To promote Wah Lum and Kung Fu in the United States. I wanted to provide students who wanted to train hard and seriously with a facility where they could live and train full time.
Reported by Mimi Chan for BLT Supplies, Inc.
@2000, BLT Supplies Inc.
Interview with George A. Dillman 11/2000
Interview with Sifu Chen 9/2000
Interview with Frank Yee 7/2000
Interview with Hu Jianqiang 3/2000
Interview with Dr. Yang 12/1999 |
