10-08-2006:
What a summer it was, a real dream come true, like a déjà vu, the first time I experienced something similar was about ten years ago when I spent several months with GM Leung Ting taking private lessons having Dim Sum everyday discussing about Wing Tjun , meeting different sifus of the Hong Kong martial arts circle and of course not forgetting all the people I met and became friends with from the Hong Kong martial art film industry like Bey Logan (Media Asia television)
I was living a dream
Hong Kong 2006
But this summer was probably toping it we arrived in Hong Kong, Sihing Lai Wing Hau 3 TG Yip Man Wing Tjun, 3 TG Chi Sim Wing Tjun, Sifu Alfredo Valia Jort 3 TG Yip Man Wing Tjun, 3 TG Chi Sim Wing Tjun, Sihing Maurik Ros 3 TG Yip Man Wing Tjun, 2 TG Chi Sim Wing Tjun and myself.
After depositing our bags in Ho Sheung Heung, Lai Wings native village in the new territories we went to our appointment with GM Cheng Kwong who after several months of email contact greeted us warmly and surprised us with his vast knowledge on Wing Tjuns history, what a luck I had that Lai Wing was present as a translator, amazingly fascinating stories and eye witness accounts of occurrences in the Wing Tjun world from the 50ties till now, GM Cheng Kwong who is now 73 years old is a true encyclopaedia of Kung Fu.
- Training with GM Cheng Kwong
The first meeting took about 9 hours of non stop history lessons, going through the various forms of Chi Sim Wing Tjun etc. we were still training on the Mook Yan Chong (wooden dummy at 3 o’clock in the night!
After being brought home by GM Cheng Kwong we immediately fell asleep, the next two days were spend on training Chi Sim Wing Tjun and learning its real history, the real story about Dai Duk Lan its grandmasters etc.
Hours of 8 mm films were shown to us by GM Cheng Kwong from his personal collection unique footage from The Late GM Wai Yan. The Late GM Chu Chung Man, The Late GM Tang Yick and the Late GM Pak Cheung.
After seeing and feeling my love for Wing Tjun GM Cheng Kwong gave me one of the best gifts I ever received! he gave me about 18 hours of unique film material from his own personal private collection of The late Grandmasters training and teaching their master student GM Cheng Kwong during the 70ties and 80ties about 2000 original photographs of the late Grandmasters Wai Yan and Pak Cheung.
Plus print outs of historical books on various lineages of Wing Tjun.
The day after we went with the bus to Fatshan (Foshan) the Mekka of all Wing Tjun lineages where we met up with the master students of the late GM Pak Cheung like master Chong Yau Kuen and the son of the late GM Pak Cheung, Grandmaster Pak Cheung Kau plus several other masters fom the Chi Sim Wing Tjun family like master Pak Pui Hau who studied more then 35 years under different Chi Sim Wing Tjun Grandmasters
Several days we spend training the wooden dummy forms, Wing Tjun Kuen form learning the Chong Kuen form and applications plus of course not forgetting the Luk Dim Poon Kwan (pole) in the evenings we watched together with the grandsons of the Late Grandmaster Pak Cheung again never before seen private film material of the late GM Pak Cheung.
We even learned the Siu Nim Tau form From the late GM Leung Jan which GM Pak Cheung learned from a student of GM Leung Jan.
The son of GM Pak Cheung gave several important documents to me regarding his fathers system and made clear to us the real history behind his father and system.
On the last day GM Pak Cheung Kau took us to the grave of his father so we could pay our respects.
There we were witness to something I will never forget and treasure in my heart for ever GM Cheng Kwong broke down in tears, fell on his knees and cried out loud to his sifu. talking to him and showing him his deepest gratitude for all the things he learned from him.
I had trouble holding my tears and from that moment my feelings for this 73 year old Grandmaster depend.
This was a real Grandmaster who experiences kung fu in his heart and really lives it as a family system.
GM Cheng Kwong and me decided to help restore the grave and remove the grave to a nicer area as the government closed this grave site for future building projects.
The next day GM Cheng Kwong and us visited some other masters and lineages of Wing Tjun with who we did some friendly sparring and went to lunch in the afternoon we visited the Yip Man memorial museum and the Wong Fei Hung Museum which was really special for me as many personal belongings of the late Grandmaster were on display and unique items like a original Wing Tjun book by The late GM Leung Jan and several photos I never saw before.
visit to the widow of the late GM Pang Nam
After the visit to the museum GM Cheng Kwong took us to the widow of the late GM Pang Nam who really needed some help now in here nineties and blind.
So we decided to give here some financial help for the next months to make here life easier
I also took the time to photograph and examine the many documents and transcripts which belonged to the late GM Pang Nam on his unique system.
The next stop was the station to take the bus to Hong Kong.
The next day we met up with GM Cheng Kwong early to pay our respects to the late GM Ip Man by visiting his grave.
the grave of GM Ip Man
Where I asked for forgiveness for the stupid things I said about his system about a year ago, sure I was influenced no doubt but its still an excuse in responsible.
This time I could not contain my tears as I thought about my childhood and all the books I read about GM Yip Man and Bruce Lee.
I owe this Grandmaster so much, it was a moment I will treasure in my heart for ever and the closest I will ever be to this legend of Chinese martial arts.
I also paid my respects to the friend and man that helped GM Yip Man so much during his Hong Kong period the grave of Lee Man.
In the afternoon GM Cheng Kwong took me aside and taught me the unique Chi Sim Wing Tjun theory and Kam Na.
That evening we decided to have a small break and visit some shopping malls and do some walking down temple street.
The next day GM Cheng Kwong taught us about Wing Tjuns Buddhist roots and brought us to several beautiful temples, where he taught us about meditation
The next days were spend with hard training going through the forms the Chi Sao and Kiu Sao
And then came the best moment off all GM Cheng Kwong decided to take me as his Todai and I performed the traditional Pai Zse ceremony for him first the whole ritual was explained to me in detail.
Especially the difference to bring the tea and the Pai Zse ceremony which are to different things!
I had to stand up kneel down bow 3 times putting my head on the floor and repeat this process 2 times then I handed my Sifu the Lai See(red envelop) after which I immediately gave him the tea Sifu took a sip and gave me another red envelop back after which he gave me a paper with personal words and my Chinese name CHENG SEUNG MO.
Then he put his hand on my head and talked for several minutes.
After that he presented me with the traditional Chi Sim Wing Tjun banner which hangs now in my school and two tablets with Chi Sim Wing Tjun fighting motto’s.
Witness to the ceremony were several old students of GM Cheng Kwong.
The next day a big banquet was held in honour of GM Cheng Kwongs new Todai (son)
And several documents concerning the situation of Chi Sim Wing Tjun in Europe were given to me.
The Hong Kong Trip ended after two wonderful weeks with lessons in the Knives techniques of Chi Sim Wing Tjun. SIFU TO SZE! for everything I will do my best to honour your teachings and make you proud Of me.
DAI-SIFU SERGIO IADAROLA.