Felix Leong
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| Felix Leong | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Foshan, China |
| Other names | Cheok Son |
| Residence | Adelaide, Australia |
| Style | Wing Chun |
| Teacher(s) | Ip Chun Sum Nung Pan Nam Lei Chi Wah |
| Rank | Grandmaster |
| Website | www |
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Felix Leong or Leong Cheok Son (梁焯順) is a Grandmaster of the Chinese martial art of Wing Chun, and a martial arts champion. In 2015 Leong's academy was nearly incinerated after over 30 years of operation and in 2023 he was inducted into The Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame.[1][2][3]
Early Life[edit]
Felix Leong, born in Guangdong province of China, hails from a family with a martial arts heritage. His early exposure to martial arts, particularly under the influence of his grandmother, laid the foundation for his lifelong dedication to the discipline.[4][5][3]
Establishing the Kung Fu Academy[edit]
In 1974, Felix Leong opened his Kung Fu academy in Adelaide, Australia. However, it wasn't until 1980 that he began to travel to China and become a student of Sum Nung. At that time, Felix was already a master of Wing Chun under the guidance of Lai Chi Wa. Leong's certifications qualify him to teach Wing Chun along with Muay Thai, Wu Shu, Tai Chi and Qigong. Many well known martial artists have taught at Leong's academy, including Ip Chun, Yuttana and Li Jun Feng.[4][5][3]
Achievements in Martial Arts[edit]
In 1977, he achieved the title of National Martial Arts Champion in Australia, followed by winning the title of South Pacific Champion the next year in New Zealand. His learning and honing his skills continued under the mentorship of Sum Nung in China.[6] One aspect of Leong's expertise is his exceptional wrist flexibility and power. He is known for a unique skill where he can launch plastic chop sticks through doors with precision.[1][3]
Sum Nung's Influence and Legacy[edit]
Leong is one of the few disciples of Sum Nung successor of Yuen Kay Shan.[3] Leong was taken as a disciple because Leong held a national and pacific championship titles in martial arts. Nung's hobby was fighting birds he would not feed the ones that couldn't fight hence why he took on Leong as a disciple because he could already fight, that was his philosophy. Over the next decade, Felix Leong made numerous trips to China to learn from Nung, completing his training up until after his passing in 2002.[1]
Rebuilding After the Fire[edit]
A fire started in the basement of Leong's Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy at 12:13 PM on 2 September 2015 where he had been operating his academy for over 3 decades. Fire spread throughout the building, Leong had no insurance and lost $100,000 worth of equipment including 5 wooden dummies. Five months later, two special handmade wooden dummies, crucial to the teaching of Wing Chun, were donated to Leong's Academy by the owner of a Melbourne Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy. A child-sized dummy was one of five made in the world exactly like the larger size. Many of Leong's students donated and visited from overseas to help the academy recover. However, a grand ceremony was held to commemorate its 30th anniversary and rebirth after the fire. Distinguished guests, including political figures, attended the event, which featured the traditional "Lion Dance," a renowned and thrilling performance known throughout Adelaide.[7][8]
Lion Dance[edit]
Leong regularly runs a symbolic Southern lion dance troop through his club every Chinese New Year in order to exorcise bad spirits and bring good luck to local businesses.[9][10]
Teaching and Impact[edit]
Leong has trained numerous students who have become martial arts instructors[11]and won numerous Muay Thai competitions in Thailand.[3]In 2019 Leong taught martial arts to the Norwood football team at his academy. [12]
A Real-World Test[edit]
On Australia Day, a violent altercation broke out in a popular nightclub in Adelaide. Felix Leong, working as a security guard and crowd controller, had to employ his martial arts to restore order. He effectively subdued ten individuals, all of whom were sent to hospital for medical attention.[2]
The Connection with Ip Chun[edit]
The connection between Felix Leong and Ip Chun began during his training under the notable Wing Chun master, Sum Nung. However, the bond between Sum Nung and Ip Chun had its roots in their high school days, where Sum Nung would defended Ip Chun from bullies.[2][13]
A Mentorship from Ip Chun[edit]
As Felix Leong's training continued under Sum Nung's guidance, his dedication caught Ip Chun's attention. Impressed by Leong's commitment to the art and aware of Sum Nung's defence of him, Ip Chun was immediately drawn to Leong. Ip Chun presented Leong with the first certificate issued under his association, marked with the number "001."[2]
Mastering Wing Chun under Pan Nam[edit]
Ip Chun played a role in expanding Leong's training by introducing him to his final master, Master Pan Nam, a martial artist who was comparable to Ip Man in Wing Chun. The guidance from both Ip Chun and Pan Nam played a crucial role in Leong's Wing Chun.[2]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Zeballos, Javier (9 November 2021). "Uno de los tres mejores maestros de Kung Fu en la historia de China fue Latino" (PDF). El Español (National Print edition). El Español. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Gómez, AlejAndro (5 September 2023). "El Gran Maestro Felix Leong Inducido al Salón de la Fama de las Artes Marciales Australasianas" (PDF). El Español (National Print edition). El Español. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 J, M (25 October 2023). "Sifu Maurice Bangga Felix Leong Masuk Hall of Fame Seni Beladiri Australasian 2023". kutip.co (Online). PT Media Kutip Indonesia. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Diaz, Raquel (29 September 2016). "Describiendo historias ignoradas de Peru a la China". The Latin Australian Times (National Print edition). LAT. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Diaz, Raquel (30 January 2016). "Donacion de Mauricio al maestro de kung fu en Adelaida". The Latin Australian Times (National Print edition). LAT. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
- ↑ "Front Page". Evening Standart (Print edition in New Zealand). 12 January 1978. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
- ↑ Stanley, Jessica (27 November 2018). "Destroyed martial arts club rises from the ashes". National 9 News (TV Exclusive National News). Nine Digital Pty Ltd. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
- ↑ Kelton, Sam (22 January 2016). "Martial heart as phoenix rises from the ashes". Adelaide Advertiser Adelaide (Print edition). Adelaide Advertiser. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
- ↑ Murtagh, Skye (2019). "Spreading good luck in the city". Living City of Adelaide (Online). City of Adelaide Council.
- ↑ Freebairn, Kate (5 February 2019). "YEAR OF THE PIG: Chinese New Year is being celebrated across the world". 10 News Adelaide (TV). 10 News.
- ↑ Bahring, Jabbar (19 October 2023). "Wing Chun di Mata Sifu Maurice: Tak Sekadar Seni Bela Diri, Ada Cinta dan Berbagi". beritabulukumba.com (Online). beritabulukumba.com. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
- ↑ Kemp, Jase (2019). "Get your kicks Norwood players building toughness in the ring". TV news (TV). 10 News.
- ↑ Daniel, Aditya (18 November 2022). "12 Real Facts about Ip Man, Bruce Lee's Wing Chun Master!". Duniaaku (Online). IDN TIMES. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
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