Question: I have heard that Grand Master Lam Sai Wing has taught in the army. Is it true? Can you please give some examples of simple Hung Gar bare-hand combat techniques that could be used in an unarmed combat situation in the army or on the street today?
Harvey H.
Answer: It is well documented that Wong Fei Hung, Lam Sai Wing (and various other Hung Ga Kyun Masters) taught martial arts in the army.
Wong Fei Hung served his duty under famous army commanders Lau Wing Fuk, Ng Chyun Mei, Tong Ging Sung, Lam Sai Wing under Lei Fuk Lam, and Chan Jai Tong. (You can find out more in the intro parts of Lam Sai Wing Memorial Book and Lam Sai Wing’s Taming the Tiger Manual).
Their function wasn’t only honorary. We can only guess what specifically they taught in the army. Still, we know that both Wong Fei Hung and Lam Sai Wing taught actual combat techniques – not only strength/conditioning drills to keep the soldiers disciplined and fit, but also weapon and bare-handed combat skills. Moreover, they taught and learned from the other Masters and cross-trained.
Hung Ga Grand Master Ho Lap Tin, one of the most senor disciples of Grand Master Dang Fong, dedicated a short paragraph to Grand Master Lam Sai Wing in his book “Hung Kyun Application Drills” (Hung Kyun Saan Sau) .
