MEMOIR

Passing of the Wing Chun Legend 

(Sigung Chu Shong Tin, 1933 – 28 July 2014)

(Note: Photo properties of Nima King)

I recalled the first meeting with Sigung Chu Shong Tin in 1999 when I went to Hong Kong to avoid Indonesia’s presidential election.  I remember going to his apartment in Cheung Sha Wan and chatting with him (through my uncle as a translator) hoping to be able to train with him.  That time he was very welcoming and invited me to come to his class.  Unfortunately, destiny was not on my side as I needed to travel to Shanghai with my family, thus missed this great opportunity to train with him.  What I did manage to get was his DVD and a VTAA book containing list of students which has Sifu Kang Sin Sin name in it.

Years went by and I managed to come back to Hong Kong in 2004 for my migration process to Australia.  This time around, I made a point to ask again for training with Sigung Chu Shong Tin.  Unfortunately, he refused to train me without formal letter from Sifu Kang Sin Sin. Then just after Sifu passed away in 2010, I went back to Hong Kong and came together with Rio to his place to deliver this sad news to Sigung as well as asking him for training.  He finally agreed to my request and letting me attend his class supervised personally by him.

Sigung Chu Shong Tin was a superb and legend in Wing Chun, with methods that looked easy to do but hard to master.  I spent my whole time relearning everything all over again.  With smile that never left his face, he tirelessly and patiently fixing up my structure and gave me pointers on how to relax more (read: soong).  I went back to Melbourne from this Hong Kong trip feeling dumbfounded of how little I knew of Wing Chun.  Second time I came back to train in 2012, Sigung was attended to hospital for having problem with his eyes.  Still, I came to his training class everyday for a week before he came back to the class to give instructions only a few days after he was discharged from the hospital.  What a dedication!  Tiredness can be seen on his face, but as soon as a couple of students asked him for some pointers, you can straight away see his spirit went up again.

One thing I regret the most was not visiting him in my 2013 Hong Kong trip.  I went to train with Sibak Ma in Kwun Tong, but did not have a chance to drop by to meet Sigung Chu Shong Tin due to some other commitments.  I did plan to train with him again on my next trip in 2015, but fate has decided differently.  I was shocked upon receiving the news on Tuesday morning that he has passed away.  Sadness, grief, and sorrow, all became one in that instance.

Alas, the world has lost yet another legend who was very passionate and dedicated to Wing Chun.  I felt very fortunate to be able to train with him – even for a very short time – and strongly hope his spirit is carried through all his students (and grand students) around the world.

With this, I and the family of the International Wing Chun Martial Art - Indonesia extend our condolence to his family in Hong Kong and all our kungfu brothers.

Good men must die, but death cannot kill their names. May he rest in peace.

Mike