William Cheung Wing Chun Origin: Tracing the Roots of the System
By Maurice Novoa a master under the Yuen Kay Shan, Ip Man and Pan Nam lineages.
William Cheung is a well-known practitioner of Wing Chun kung fu in Hong Kong. He is the Grandmaster of his lineage, called Traditional Wing Chun (TWC). He also heads the Global Traditional Wing Chun Kung Fu Association (GTWCKFA), which sanctions the style.
Early life
William Cheung was born on October 10, 1940, and grew up in Kowloon. When he was only 11 years old, he participated in challenge matches on the school playgrounds. His fighting style was Tai Chi Chuan, which was not enough to elevate him among the youth of Hong Kong.
Cheung’s father, who was a police inspector, frowned upon fighting, and hence, Cheung avoided becoming involved in gangs. However, the challenge fights continued into his teenage years. He embarrassed his family because the fights were associated with extortion rackets of secret societies. Cheung witnessed a turning point in his life when an undefeated gang leader challenged an old man rumored to practice a little-known Kung Fu style inspired by women, all in the context of his experiences. He watched as the thin old man, who was Ip Man, quickly defeated the gang leader. Cheung was very impressed and visited Ip Man and became his student. Living with him for three years before leaving Hong Kong.
During his time living with Ip Man, Cheung introduced Bruce Lee, whom he first met at Lee’s 9th birthday, to Ip Man. Initially, Ip Man had rejected Lee’s request to learn Wing Chun Kung Fu under him because of the long-standing rule in the Chinese Martial Arts world not to teach foreigners. Cheung spoke on Lee’s behalf, and he was accepted into the school. Cheung and Lee became friends and training partners, and after several months of daily training, they both became more involved in street challenge fights. However, Cheung’s father was concerned for his safety and sent him away from Hong Kong to Australia.
Martial arts Career
Cheung left Hong Kong to move to Canberra, Australia, to study economics at the Australian National University. In 1965, Cheung founded the first wing chun kung fu club at his university. In 1969, Cheung earned a bachelor’s degree in economics, then devoted himself to Wing Chun with a group of dedicated students. He founded a martial arts school in Melbourne in 1973. Later became president of the Australian Kung Fu Federation in 1976. From 1979, Cheung and some of his students have directed programs for special groups of the US military and other countries.
After moving to Melbourne to teach Traditional Wing Chun professionally in 1973, Cheung established his Wing Chun studio in Melbourne’s CBD, which attracts hundreds of new students each year. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Cheung’s studio is one of the most successful martial arts schools in Australia. Cheung trained students in the US as well, including some who became successful in their martial arts careers, such as Eric Oram, who went on to train Robert Downey Jr. and Christian Bale in preparation for their Hollywood movie roles and Anthony Arnett, who has won multiple grand champion titles in different tournament circuits.
The US Marines of the Seventh Fleet in Yokosuka, Japan invited Cheung to teach them his unarmed combat skills and expertise. He set a world speed punching record of 8.3 punches per second at Harvard University in Boston in 1984.
Achievements in Wing Chun
In recognition of his contributions to the martial arts, Cheung has received several awards and accolades. He was named Kung Fu Artist of the Year in 1983 by the Black Belt Hall of Fame and Instructor of the Year in 1989 by the Inside Kung Fu Hall of Fame. He also appeared on the front cover of 35 martial arts magazines from 1982 to 2010, including Inside Kung Fu and Martial Arts Illustrated.
Academia
Cheung’s knowledge and expertise in the field of Chinese medicine are also noteworthy. Cheung holds a Bachelor of Economics from the Australian National University. He is a certified Doctor of Chinese Medicine under the Chinese Medicine Registration Board of Victoria. The Australian Chinese Traditional Orthopedics Association Inc. has welcomed Cheung as a member. Foshan Sports University in China has invited him as a Guest Professor. He is also a Senior Research Professor of the Bone Research Department at Beijing Chinese Medical University in China.
William Cheung, a highly respected Wing Chun master, has made significant contributions to the field of martial arts. He has received numerous awards for his skill and expertise. His knowledge of Chinese medicine promotes health and wellness in the martial arts community.
Top 10 Questions about William Cheung
William Cheung is a Chinese-Australian martial artist who is known for his expertise in the Wing Chun style. He began studying Wing Chun under the tutelage of Ip Man in Hong Kong in the 1950s, and later became one of his most trusted disciples.
William Cheung’s legacy in the world of martial arts is significant, particularly in his role as a leading figure in the promotion and development of the Wing Chun style. He is known for his technical proficiency and innovative training methods, as well as his efforts to preserve the original teachings of Ip Man.
William Cheung emphasizes several key principles in Wing Chun, including the importance of centerline theory, sensitivity and relaxation, and the use of energy and force redirection to overcome opponents.
William Cheung’s training and teaching style places a strong emphasis on practical application and combat effectiveness, rather than aesthetic or theoretical training. He also utilizes innovative training methods, such as his “Chi Sau” and “Cham Kiu” drills, to help students develop their skills.
William Cheung has trained many students over the years, but two of his most famous students are Eric Oram and Anthony Arnett, both of whom have made significant contributions to the development of Wing Chun.
Eric Oram trainer to Hollywood Stars
Eric Oram is a martial arts expert who has trained in a variety of styles, including Wing Chun under William Cheung. He has developed his own approach to Wing Chun that emphasizes practical self-defense techniques and has written several books on the subject. Oram is also known for his role in training Hollywood actor Robert Downey Jr. for his portrayal of Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Anthony Arnett Tournament Grand Champion
Anthony Arnett is another of William Cheung’s notable students. He has won multiple martial arts championships, including the US National Chinese Martial Arts Championship, and is known for his expertise in close-quarters combat. He has also trained military and law enforcement personnel in the use of Wing Chun techniques.
The impact of William Cheung’s students on the development of Wing Chun has been significant. Through their training and experience, they have helped to refine and improve the techniques and principles of the style, and have spread its teachings to a wider audience. Both Eric Oram and Anthony Arnett have played important roles in promoting Wing Chun and demonstrating its practical applications in real-world situations.
Some critics have accused William Cheung of promoting a “hard” or “brutal” approach to Wing Chun that emphasizes force over sensitivity and relaxation. Additionally, some have criticized his approach to training and teaching, arguing that it is overly focused on his own interpretation of the style.
Cheung claimed has claimed to be taught the complete system of Wing Chun by Ip Man and all other students only learned a modified version with no footwork. This claim caused heated disputes in the Wing Chun community.
William Cheung’s lineage is closely associated with the Ip Man lineage, as he was one of Ip Man’s most trusted disciples. However, he has also developed his own unique approach to Wing Chun that differs from other lineages, such as the Wong Shun Leung lineage.
Some of the key techniques and training methods used in William Cheung’s approach to Wing Chun include his “Chi Sau” and “Cham Kiu” drills, as well as his emphasis on force redirection and centerline theory.
William Cheung’s legacy has had a significant influence on the modern practice of Wing Chun, particularly in terms of his innovative training methods and emphasis on practical application. However, practitioners who follow his approach may face challenges in adapting to the demands of modern combat scenarios or in reconciling his approach with other lineages or interpretations of Wing Chun.
William Cheung has a clear vision for the future of Wing Chun, which centers on preserving the practical self-defense applications of the art while continuing to refine and improve its techniques and principles.
He believes that the true essence of Wing Chun lies in its simplicity and effectiveness in real-world combat situations, and he has dedicated his life to training students in this approach. He hopes to see Wing Chun continue to evolve and adapt to changing circumstances, while maintaining its focus on practicality and effectiveness.