Augustine Fong was born on the island of Macao, off the coast of southern China. Since his early childhood, he has had a special interest in the Chinese martial arts. In 1960, he was fortunate enough to begin training in a traditional gung fu style. His instructor was the honorable Wing Chun master, Ho Kam Ming. Master Ho, a top student of the late grand master Yip Man, had, at that time, introduced the style to the Macao area. Augustine Fong, without a second thought, became one of his first students.
By 1964, master Ho's school had grown considerably. The school had gained a reputation, so good, in fact, that a famous gung-fu school from Hong Kong decided to send a formal challenge. Challenges, back then, were very serious business. The challenging school, in this case, had also obtained an impressive name and reputation. It was understood that they had fought and won over a hundred contests in this manner, and as a result, defeated a number of top schools in Hong Kong. Accepting the written challenge, master Ho decided that Fong would fight the match. Fong was master Ho's best student and toughest fighter. On the appointed day, the challenger appeared along with his instructor and ten fellow students. . .
Master Fong currently operates his own federation headquatered in Tucson, Arizona Arizona where he founded his own Wing Chun Academy and established the headquarters for "Fong's Wing Chun Gung-Fu Federation". This association remains devoted to the exact principles of the complete system of Wing Chun Gung-Fu.and currently has affiliated schools throughout the United States and Canada.
Quick Talk with Sifu Augustine Fong
1) Sifu Fong, what do you believe are the most important things, that a beginner should focus on in the start?
The beginner should have faith in the art and in the teacher. And focus on what he is doing. Don't learn too much in the beginning work on the motion one thing at a time.
2) In the beginning Wing Chun is looked upon for self-defense, but in the end you've stated it goes beyond that, how so?
Everybody knows self-defense is Physical action (fighting) which is right to a low level martial arts people. But to a real high-level martial arts people which is a very low and bad solution for self-defense. Because there is not only one way to skin a cat. Lets think, The true self defense is keep yourself un-harm from any situation. If you punch out you opponent with your fist. You may think that you win the fight. But your opponent may also thinks that he hurts your fist with his body. In the eye of a true Gung Fu Man, there is no gain or loss in any situation There is always in a balanced situation. So there are ways to self defense without fighting. But you need to know that you can fight. Than you will have the guts to face up any self defense's situation.
3) How has your teaching changed over the last 39 years?
My teaching method is always evolving to the best to let people to learn Wing Chun easier and faster in the right way.
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Fong's Wing Chun Gung-Fu Federation's Official Website: www.fongswingchun.com