NORTH MEETS SOUTH
- History -
After moving to Guangzhou in 1929, Ku Yu-cheung of the Northern Shaolin style, soon came across Tam Sam of the Bak-sing Choy-li-fut style.
Both masters knew of each other’s reputation and both respected each other’s ability. Over time these two masters became firm friends and agreed it would be mutually benificial to train each other‘s top students. This cross training program was regarded as a huge breakthrough during that era.
Lau Gam-dong: 1913 - 1979
Lung Tse-cheung:
birth date unknown – 1957
Ku Yu-cheung’s senior student, Lung Tse-cheung and Tam Sam’s senior student Lau Gam-dong, among other seniors, were lucky enough to benefit from this unique arrangement. Both students training under both masters.
Lau Gam-dong teaching Shaolin spear techniques
Yim Sheung Mo (left) and Lung Tse-cheung (right) practise a Northern Shaolin two man form, observed by Ku Yu-cheung
The results of that cross training can still be seen in practitioners of the Ku Yu-cheung and Tam Sam lineages today. Bak-sing Choy-li-fut often features elements of Northern Shaolin in its ging training, its mobile footwork and its Shaolin Chi-gung. And Northern Shaolin stylists from Hong Kong and southern China often include Choy-li-fut techniques in their system.
Lau Gam-dong teaching Choy-li-fut technique - Yam Yeung Chap-choi, to his student
