Famous Kung Fu Fighters (historical and present day)

Niall Keane

http://www.polariswushu.net/halloffame.html

Above is a link from an American site, recording some historical and present day Kung Fu fighters, some of you may find of interest.

Although many nowadays think of Kung Fu as more of a performance art, in most cases it certainly is, most of the famous style founders were notable Lei Tai fighters. My Sifu once told me that there are never more than a handful of tai chi fighters at any one time. I believe this true for every style. The real deal is a rare find! Perhaps it always was?

Deise Musashi

I remember (years ago) reading about the competitions in UK in "Martial Arts Illustrated", and some of the top fighters were Lau Gar guys like Pele Reid and Keith "Pele" Nathan.

Nice to see a mention for yourself and the lads on that site!

TKD SC

Hi Niall,

A bit off topic, but would you know of any good (martial applications) bagua club in Dublin? My brother is interested in doing it - previously has done aikido & wing tsun. I did a few classes before to try it out but it was in no way martial!

Thanks
Simon

Niall Keane

TKD SC wrote: »

Hi Niall,

A bit off topic, but would you know of any good (martial applications) bagua club in Dublin? My brother is interested in doing it - previously has done aikido & wing tsun. I did a few classes before to try it out but it was in no way martial!

Thanks
Simon

Simon,
There was a "Yin Fu" Style Bagua group that have in the past entered Sanshou events in the UK. I'm not sure if they are still in existence?
Bagua has some interesting gung methods, such as carrying blocks on the upper arms as the forearms are horizontal.
This has the effect of training chin na leverage skills using a platform that simultaneously throws an opponent and breaks their elbow joint, not very pc in competition. The exercise is often done on bricks, 8 arranged as Bagua diagram, one starts on the flat then side then bricks standing on small edge, so balance and core strength is developed with low stances and twisting movements... Quite interesting but like any gung a serious commitment, an a waste of time without such commitment.
Some of the nicest Bagua methods are it's footwork drills, i dont mean just the circle walking here, which probably generate it's character, I always found some of them to be clearly designed to aid fighting in dense forest as Emei Shan would be surrounded by!

Michael O Leary

TKD SC wrote: »

Hi Niall,

A bit off topic, but would you know of any good (martial applications) bagua club in Dublin? My brother is interested in doing it - previously has done aikido & wing tsun. I did a few classes before to try it out but it was in no way martial!

Thanks
Simon

Hi Simon,

Is your brother Stephen?

Regards,

Michael

TKD SC

Michael O Leary wrote: »

Hi Simon,

Is your brother Stephen?

Regards,

Michael

PM sent!!