Wong Fa Pai

Born in 1841 Wong Bil Hong’s life intertwined with the Wong Fa Pai. He trained in Hung Gar under renowned masters Wong Kay Ying and Wong Fei Hung. These masters were among the Ten Tigers of Guangdong. Wong Bil Hong himself became a Hung Gar master. A duel near the Hoy Hong Temple led to an unexpected turn. A monk intervened. This monk then trained Wong Bil Hong in Hark Fu Moon a Black Tiger style. This style would later be known as the Wong Fa Pai. After years of intense training Wong Bil Hong became the first official successor of Hark Fu Moon. He only taught two people his nephew Wong Moon Toy and a servant. Before his death in 1934 Wong Bil Hong renamed the system Fu Jow Pai. He passed the system to his two disciples. After the servant’s death Wong Moon Toy became the second generation successor. Wong Moon Toy was born in 1907. He began his kung fu training at a young age. By 20 he mastered Hung Gar and Mi Chung I. He then trained under his uncle in Hark Fu Moon. His training in the mountains was rigorous. This training lasted seven years. He became a truly accomplished martial artist. He moved to New York City in the early 1900s. He taught Fu Jow Pai to only seven disciples. In 1957 he publicly introduced Fu Jow Pai. Then he passed the system to Wai Hong Ng. Wong Moon Toy died in 1960. Wai Hong Ng born in 1938 also trained in Choy Lee Fut Northern Shaolin and Tai Chi Chuan. He became Wong Moon Toy’s successor. He wanted to share Fu Jow Pai with the world. In 1968 he transformed the Chinese Youth Athletic Club into the Fu Jow Pai association. This was the first Fu Jow Pai school. Its purpose was to improve instruction and advance the system. During the 1970s Fu Jow Pai greatly expanded. It was promoted in universities. Wai Hong championed full-contact kung fu tournaments. He played a major role in the Eastern United States Kung Fu Federation and the United Kung Fu Federation of North America. Fu Jow Pai is known for its dynamic style. It includes techniques like ripping tearing clawing and grasping. The style incorporates various forms. The core forms include Tiger Forms Tiger Claw Staff and Tiger Claw Saber. It also features power training and iron hand exercises. This is the legacy of the Wong Fa Pai a style born from a duel and shaped by dedicated masters.