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The man who trained Bruce Lee under Grand Master Ip Man.
Wong Shun Leung (1935-1997) was a Wing Chun master. He started training with Yip Man at 17, after challenging the master and finding himself completely controlled by him. Already at this age Wong had a reputation as a fighter and Yip Man was at first worried that he would bring trouble for Wing Chun. In fact Wong Shun Leung's prowess as a "Beimo" fighter helped secure Wing Chun its formidable reputation. "Beimo" were semi-organised bare knuckle challenge fights between youths in Hong Kong. Wong Shun Leung, who stood only 5' 6" tall, fought perhaps over 100 of these challenge fights and was never beaten. He earned the name Gong Sau Wong, King of Talking Hands. Once asked if he was the best fighter in the world he replied "no, only the second best." When asked who was the best he said "I don't know, I haven't met him."
Wong stayed with Yip Man many years longer than most of the other famous students, helping Yip Man teach and only opened his own school formally in the late sixties. He taught Wing Chun at his kwoon until his untimely death from a stroke. Notable students included Philipp Bayer, Wan Kam-Leung, Gary Lam, Nino Bernardo, David Peterson, Lawrence Leung (Leung Chi Sing) and, of course, Bruce Lee, who later screen tested Wong for an appearance in the ill-fated "Game of Death" and corresponded regularly with Wong on the subject of the science of fighting. In one letter Lee wrote "Even though I am (technically) a student of Yip Man, in reality I learned my Kung-fu from you."
Following what doctors in Hong Kong described as a 'subarachnoid hemorrage' and lapsing into a coma lasting 17 days, wing chun's "King of the Challenge Match", sifu Wong Shun Leung, passed away peacefully on January 28th, 1997... he was just 61 years of age. Wong had been with a group of friends at the "Ving Tsun Athletic Association" on Sunday January 12th, enjoying a few games of cards and Mahjong when he complained of feeling unwell. Soon afterwards he collapsed into a coma from which he never awoke.
In 1970 Bruce Lee wrote a letter in Chinese to Wong Shun-Leung. The content is recorded as follows :
Dear Shun-Leung, Jan. 11, 1970
It has been a long time since I last wrote to you. How are you? Alan Shaw's letter from Canada asks me to lend you my 8mm film. I am sorry about that. It is because I have lost it when I moved my home. That film is already very old and I seldom use it, so I have lost it. I am sorry for it. Now I have bought a house in Bel-Air. It is about half an acre. There are many trees. It has the taste of a range. It is located on a hill top near Beverly Hills. Moreover, besides my son Brandon, I have had a daughter, Shannon, who is seven months old now. Have you re-married ? Please send my regards to your sisters. Recently, I have organised a film production company. I have also written a story "The Silent Flute". James Coburn and I will act in it. Stirling Silliphant is the screen-play writer. He is a famous screen-play writer (In the Heat of the Night). We plan to make the first fighting film in Hollywood. The prospect is good. About six months later, the filming work will begin. All who participate in this film are my followers. In the future, Steve McQueen may also work together with me.
I am very excited about this plan. As to martial arts, I still practice daily. I meet my students and friends twice a week. No matter they are western boxer, Taekwondo learner or wrestler, I will meet them as long as they are friendly and will not get angry. Since I started to practice realistically in 1966 (Protectors, gloves, etc.), I feel that I had many prejudices before, and they are wrong. So I change the name of the gist of my study to Jeet-kune-do. Jeet-kune-do is only a name. The most important thing is to avoid having bias in the training. Of course, I run everyday, I practice my instruments (punch, kick, throw, etc.). I have to raise the basic conditions daily. Although the principle of boxing is important, practicality is even more important. I thank you and Master for teaching me the ways of Wing Chun in Hong Kong. Actually, I have to thank you for leading me to walk on a practical road. Especially in the States, there are western boxers, I often practise with them too. There are many so-called masters in Wing Chun here, I really hope that they will not be so blind to fight with those western boxers may make a trip to Hong Kong. I hope that you will live in the same place. We are intimate friends, we need to meet more and chat about our past days. That will be a lot of fun? When you see Master Yip, please send my regard to him. Happiness be with you!
Bruce Lee.
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