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An
Important Letter from Sifu Lam Chun Fai
Chiu Kao and Siu Ying (Chiu Chi Ling's parents) were not Lam
Sai Wing's disciples. They never studied or trained with Lam
Sai Wing, not even for one lesson. I was very disappointed
that Chiu Chi Ling is trying to fabricate his family tree
on his Web Site and not even find out the truth. I feel he
is being very rude and is not respecting his elders.
To Chiu Chi Ling, I say this: Actually, I don't care how you
try to create your lineage (even though your parents admitted
who their sifu was); but when you try to cast a slur on the
reputation of my father, Lam Cho, I have to tell the truth
and prove to the martial arts world that you are talking nonsense
just to elevate your position....
The following is Chiu Kao's short biography—which Chiu
Kau wrote himself in 1951 and sent to Lam Cho's school for
publication in the Lam Sai Wing memorial book and to revise
our Hung Gar lineage: 
Chiu Kao, age 56, born in Xin Hui,
liked practicing Kung Fu. When he was young, he went to the
South Pacific and began working in a quarry. After that, he
changed professions and became a tailor. During that time,
he started to learn Kung Fu. His sifu's name was Wong Sai
Wing (not Lam Sai Wing). After a few years, he returned to
Hong Kong to start his own tailoring business. At the beginning,
he was learning at Tang Hin Choi's school (Tang Hin Choi was
one of Lam Sai Wing's students, Lam Cho's younger classmate).
Afterwards, he followed Lam Cho.
Tang Hin Choi's school was named Lam Sai Wing School, Second
Branch. This school was run by Tang Hin Choi only. Lam Sai
Wing never came to this school—he just gave Tang Hin
Choi permission to use his name. Later, Tang Hin Choi stopped
teaching. The year was 1933. My father, Lam Cho, took over
the school and changed it's name to Lam Cho Kwock Sut Tsay
(Lam Cho Chinese Martial Arts School). Chiu Chi Ling's parents,
Chiu Kao and Siu Ying, continued to study at this school.
At that time, my father, Lam Cho, was 23 years old. Chiu Kao
was 38. It is very common for a student to be older than the
teacher. (see
lineage)
Note the following two photos. The top photo was taken in
1936 and shows Lam Cho and his students in the Botanical Garden,
Hong Kong. The bottom photo was taken in 1938, with Lam Cho
and his students outside Po Hing theater, Hong Kong. Chiu
Kao and Siu Ying are included in the photos.
Lam Cho Chinese Martial Arts School, 1936 (top) and
again in 1938 (bottom)
My father was adopted and raised
by his uncle Lam Sai Wing as his own son since the age of
5. He taught and trained my father in the Hung Gar style.
At the age of 16, my father opened his own school and also
helped Lam Sai Wing to teach at his school up to and until
the time he passed away. Therefore, he would know all of Lam
Sai Wing's students.
Today, my father Lam Cho is 90 years old. He dedicated his
whole life to researching the Hung Gar system.
Chiu Chi Ling, I deeply believe that it is better for you
to concentrate on your Kung Fu instead of being unrealistic.
The facts are the facts.
As to the article appearing on Chiu Chi Ling's Web site, in
the aspects related to the credibility of the author and the
defamatory nature of his comments, we will seek legal advice
and reserve the right to take action as appropriate.
Lam Chun Fai
Sept. 22, 2000 |
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