Cheung Bo Wing Chun: Discover the Unique Style and Techniques of the ‘Old’ Wing Chun System – Sifu Maurice

Cheung Bo, also known as Zhang Bao or Dai Ngao Bo.  A Wing Chun master was a close friend of Yuen Kay-San. He worked as a chef at Tien Hoi, a local restaurant located next to Kuaizi Jie, which was also known as Chopstick Street.

Martial Arts

Despite being almost a decade younger than Yuen Kay-San. Cheung Bo was a formidable and powerful man who was known for his Wing Chun skills. He learned Wing Chun from Wai Yuk-Sang, a doctor in the Nationalist army, who was a student of Fung Siu-Ching’s pupil Ngao Shi.
Cheung Bo taught Wing Chun to a small group of fellow staff members, including Sum Nung, when the restaurant was closed. He was renowned for his skills, which he used to keep the rowdy young martial artists who ate the restaurant in line. Additionally, he was also talented in using gold-coin darts.
Cheung Bo’s expertise in Wing Chun and other martial arts made him a well-respected figure in the community. His dedication and passion for martial arts also earned him a reputation as a skilled instructor. Many students sought him out to learn from him and improve their skills.

Cheung Bo’s Wing Chun: Unique Stance and Structure

Cheung Bo was a prominent Wing Chun master who developed his unique style due to his physical attributes. His size made it challenging for him to maintain closed elbows on the central meridian, a significant consideration in Yuen Kay-San and some other Wing Chun branches. However, Cheung Bo compensated with wider arms and quick, powerful side body stance changes that set his style apart from others.

Unique Structure

Cheung Bo’s style had a unique structure due to his physical limitations. His size made it impossible for him to maintain the central meridian’s closed elbows, which is a fundamental aspect of Wing Chun. Instead, he used wider arms that allowed him to maintain his balance and power in his strikes. This modification helped him develop a distinct style that distinguished him from other Wing Chun practitioners.

Stance and Movement

Cheung Bo’s wider arm structure had significant implications for his stance and movement. To maintain his balance and power, Cheung used quick and powerful side body stance changes. This allowed him to generate powerful strikes while maintaining his balance and stability. Moreover, his stance and movement gave him an advantage in combat situations, allowing him to maneuver quickly and effectively.

Solid Foundation

Although Cheung Bo’s style had modifications, it had a solid foundation. His style was simple, and his movements were precise and powerful. His unique structure and stance allowed him to develop a style that was effective in combat situations. Additionally, his style had a strong emphasis on training the basics, which helped him and his students develop a solid foundation.

The Sup Yee Sik: The Twelve Forms of Wing Chun

Wing Chun is a martial art that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Developed in China, it emphasizes speed, efficiency, and practicality. The Sup Yee Sik, also known as the Sup Yee San Sao, are twelve forms that are essential to the Wing Chun system. They were first introduced in Cheung Bo’s teachings and were later integrated into the Yuen Kay-San system by Grandmaster Sum Nung. These twelve forms are ideal for early training, as they contain many of the elements essential to a good Wing Chun foundation.

Building a Strong Foundation

The Sup Yee Sik are compact in structure, yet they contain many of the elements that are essential to building a strong foundation in Wing Chun. These twelve forms can be loosely grouped into three broad categories.
The first four forms focus on building body structure through basic punching, stance, and step drills. Jee Ng Choi, also known as the Meridian Punch, trains the fundamental Yee Jee Kim Yeung Ma, or the trapezoid-shaped groin clamping stance. It introduces the primary Chung Choi, or thrusting punch of the style, which pounds explosively along the central meridian. The next three forms in this category include Pien Choi, Duk Lung Choi, and Jin Choi, which add different variations to the fundamental thrusting punch while also introducing linear stepping and side-stepping techniques.

Fundamental Arm Cycles

The next four forms work on fundamental arm cycles that firmly ingrain the cardinal tools for interception. Sam Pan Jeung, also known as Triangle Palms, drills a simple set of Tan Sao, Chang Jeung, and Gang Sao movements that cover basic interception inside, outside, and downward. Loi Lim Yum Yeung Jeung, also known as Tan Fook Sao, weaves two of the primary Wing Chun intercepting tools into a short but densely packed set. Noi Dap, also sometimes referred to as Noi Lim Sao. Ngoi Dap, also sometimes referred to as Ngoi Lim Sao, cycle basic controlling arm movements both inside and outside of the body.

Sensitivity Training

The last four forms include sensitivity training and combination techniques that help bring the art of Wing Chun to life. Kao Dap Sao, also known as Detaining Joining Arm, utilizes a Cheung Bo-style wide detaining arm along with a vertically dominating Kwa Choi and suffocating structure. Po Yik Jeung, or Flapping Wing Palms, combines turning power with horizontal palm attacks to strike or uproot an opponent. Na Dan Kiu, also known as Sticking Single Bridge, is a set designed to train the dissolving of heavy force. While Bak Hok Kum Wu, or White Crane Seizes the Fox, uses chasing steps to maintain control of an opponent and Saat Kiu and Gok Ma like scissors to cut them down.

Valuable for Early Training

Although perhaps not as detailed as the techniques of Yuen Kay-San Wing Chun proper. The Sup Yee Sik’s attributes make them quite valuable as a sort of crash course in Wing Chun self-defense. For those who require simple skills, the Sup Yee Sik can serve as a great starting point.

Restaurant Career

Apart from being a Wing Chun instructor, Cheung Bo was famous for his culinary skills. As a chef at Tien Hoi, he was responsible for preparing delicious meals that attracted a loyal customer base. His expertise in both martial arts and cooking made him a popular and respected figure in the local community. Hence why Yuen Kay Shan was a frequent customer of his restaurant and friend.
In conclusion, Cheung Bo was a remarkable figure in the Wing Chun community. His passion for martial arts and dedication to teaching made him a respected and sought-after instructor. Additionally, his culinary skills as a chef also made him a well-known and admired figure in the community. His legacy continues to live on through his teachings. The impact he had on his students and the Wing Chun community as a whole.

Conclusions

Cheung Bo’s unique style had a significant impact on Wing Chun. His physical attributes forced him to develop a style that was different from traditional Wing Chun. However, his modifications had a solid foundation and were effective in combat situations. Moreover, his style emphasized the importance of training the basics, which helped him and his students develop a strong foundation. If you want to learn Wing Chun, Cheung Bo’s style is an excellent starting point.