Felix Leong
Felix Leong or Cheok Son is a Grandmaster of the Chinese martial art of the Wing Chun style, a martial arts champion[1] and one of the few disciples certified by all four Wing Chun Grandmasters, Sum Nung, Pan Nam, Lei Chi Wah and Ip Chun. In 2015 Leong's academy was nearly incinerated after over 30 years of operation.[2]
| Felix Leong | |
|---|---|
 Felix Leong with Ip Chun on his 95th birthday celebration in China | |
| Born | Guangdong, China |
| Other names | Cheok Son |
| Residence | Adelaide, Australia |
| Style | Wing Chun Tai Chi Muay Thai Wushu (sport) Qigong |
| Teacher(s) | Sum Nung Ip Chun Lei Chi Wah Pan Nam |
| Rank | Grandmaster |
| Website | http://www.grandmasterleong.com/ |
| Focus | Hybrid |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Creator | Felix Leong |
| Famous practitioners | Ryan Cusak |
| Parenthood |
|
Early life
Leong was born at Foshan in Guangdong province, China to a martial arts family. He was influenced at an early age, especially by his grandmother, who was regarded as a high level master in martial arts.
Martial arts career
In 1974 Leong established his martial arts academy in Adelaide. His club had a background in all 3 lineages of Wing Chun along with Muay Thai, Wu Shu, Tai Chi and Qigong. Many of the world's foremost martial artists have taught at Leong's academy, including Ip Chun, Yuttana and Li Jun Feng. Leong is one of the few disciples of Sum Nung successor of Yuen Kay Shan. Leong was taken as a disciple because Leong held a national and pacific championship titles in martial arts. Nung's hobby was fighting birds he would not feed the ones that couldn't fight hence why he took on Leong as a disciple because he could already fight, that was his philosophy. In 2019 the entire SANFL Norwood Redlegs football team came to Leong's academy to practice Kung Fu.[3]
Felix Leong in 1978 receiving first place in a Asia pacific full contact martial arts tournament
Felix with teacher Sum Nung 1980s
Felix with Ip Chun
Felix Leong kicks student Nick Legg in the throat
Lion Dance
Leong regularly runs a symbolic Southern lion dance troop through his club every Chinese New Year [4] in order to exorcise bad spirits and bring good luck to local businesses.[1]
Fire
A fire started in the basement of Leong's Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy at 12:13 PM on 2 September 2015 where he had been operating his academy for over 3 decades. Fire spread throughout the building, Leong had no insurance and lost $100,000 worth of equipment including 5 wooden dummies.[5][6] Five months later Melbourne Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy owner Maurice Novoa[7] donated two special handmade wooden dummies (crucial to teaching Wing Chun) to Leong's Academy. A child-sized dummy was one of 5 made in the world exactly like the larger size.[2] Many of Leong's students donated and visited from overseas to help the academy recover.
Posing for National Newspapers Felix Leong receiving Wooden Dummies as gifts from Maurice Novoa
Rebirth ceremony
Felix Leong's Rebirth From the Ashes ceremony in Adelaide hosted State Members of Parliament Jing Lee and David Pisoni as honoured guests. Lion dancing and a roast pork traditional feast were provided.
Roast pork special feast
Leong's family at rebirth ceremony
Bibliography
Advanced Wing Chun Foundation - Sil Lim Tao. Publisher: Grandmaster Leong Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy; Sil Lim Tao Edition (23 November 2013)[8]
External links
Lineage
| Wing Chun Lineage | |
| Sifus | Sum Nung Pan Nam Ip Chun Lei Chi Wah |
| Felix Leong | |
| Students | Rinky Leung Nick Legg Ryan Cusak Richard Mills |
References
- Murtagh, Skye (2019). "Spreading good luck in the city". Living City of Adelaide (Online). 2020 City of Adelaide. Council. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
- Stanley, Jessica (27 November 2018). "Destroyed martial arts club rises from the ashes". National 9 News (TV Exclusive National News). Nine Digital Pty Ltd 2019. 9 News. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
- Kemp, Jase (6 June 2019). "Norwood Redlegs Learn kung fu with Felix Leong". 10 First (TV mainstream). Network 10. Newscorp. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
- Kate, Freebairn (5 February 2019). "Year of the pig". 10 First (TV Mainstream). Network 10. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
- Hancock, James (3 September 2015). "Rear of fire-damaged Adelaide city building will be torn down, as arson probe continues". ABC News (Online). Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
- Dillon, Meagan (2 September 2015). "Adelaide CBD fire: Large blaze behind Grand Chancellor Hotel, Hindley St". The Advertiser (Online). News Corp Australia. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
- Kelton, Sam (22 January 2016). "Martial heart as phoenix rises from the ashes". Adelaide Advertiser (Print edition page 32 news). News Corp Australia.
- Leong, Felix. "Advanced Wing Chun Foundation - Sil Lim Tao". Amazon. Grandmaster Leong Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy; Sil Lim Tao Edition. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
