Master Lai Hung was already well known for his fighting skill and he was to take part in the Tournament as a representative of the Colony of Hong Kong. In addition to the coaching of his two Sifu’s, he was given guidance by many renowned Grandmasters, including Lun Tse. They all hoped that Master Lai Hung would do well at a Tournament where some of the best martial artists in the world were to gather. 

Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau are three of the places where superior Chinese martial artists gather. Of the many participants entered into this Tournament, many were already well known practitioners of the martial arts, particularly in sparring and boxing styles and techniques. Under these circumstances, Master Lai Hung, in the role of a new fighter, displayed his skills and stamina, and amazed many people by overpowering many strong opponents and winning the trophy for the ‘C’ class! 

In Master Lai Hung’s first match with the Taiwanese athlete Chan Chin Tao, he was hit several times at close quarters. Lai Hung was not discouraged, he hung in the match and countered with intense attacks that made his opponent gasp to catch his breath. He then showed his unusual power by landing a blow that knocked his opponent out of the ring and brought him the win! The audience was amazed and enthralled at this newcomer’s skill in combat. 

In his second match, he faced another famous Taiwanese fighter, Hsu Yu Te. Master Lai Hung capitalized on the win in his first match to boost his morale, and in the heated fighting of this second match, he used the well known skills of Choy Lay Fut. With a powerful straight punch, Master Lai Hung knocked his opponent over ten feet out of the ring, with blood streaming from the opponents nostrils! The audience was even more thrilled by this display of skill. 

After the first two victories, Master Lai Hung went on to defeat the lightweight champion of Taiwan, Lin Yen Yuan, who was know as ‘Iron Feet Lin’. This was an exhausting match, and a hard fought match followed it with the ‘King of Kicking’, Chung Tsan Hui. Master Lai Hung lived up to the expectations of his Sifu’s and his supporters and won the division. 

The word of Master Lai Hung’s skill and prowess in the ring spread rapidly, and other fighters praised him for his skill in learning with the purpose of application, and for being a man who could do actual fighting! 

Not content to rest on past successes, Master Lai Hung began studying and training with Grandmaster Yip Yut Ting, of the ‘Lost Track Lohan Style. In 1961, Master Lai Hung, along with several local kung fu competitors, traveled to Cambodia-Thailand to fight against the tough, professional ‘Muay Thai Kick Boxers’ and impressed everyone there with his skill in the ring and his perseverance. In 1963 and again in 1966, Master Lai Hung competed again in the Southeast Asian Martial Arts Tournament. By this time, his name had become a household word in the Chinese martial arts circles, and he was well admired and respected for his bravery and his contribution to kung fu. 

Master Lai Hung and members of the
Muay Thai Kick Boxing group,
Cambodia-Thailand, 1961

Master Lai Hung in ring action against a professional Muay Thai
Kick Boxer in Cambodia-Thailand, 1961

In 1972, after many requests to teach here, Master Lai Hung immigrated to the United States and settled in San Francisco, California. He opened a school (Kwoon) in Chinatown on Columbus Street, and here he taught many students.  

The University of California-Davis invited Master Lai Hung to conduct classes there, and Master Lai Hung became a California certificated instructor. He was also asked to help train the San Pablo, California Police Department in martial arts skills, and was given the ‘Key to the City’ by San Pablo’s City Council President. 

For family reasons, Master Lai Hung decided to move to Sacramento, California, and until 1995, he continued to come to San Francisco on the weekends and conduct classes near Broadway. He now conducts classes in the Richmond district of San Francisco, and in Sacramento. 

Several years ago, Master Lai Hung published a book, ‘Secrets of Northern Shaolin Kung Fu: The History, Form, and Function of Pek Sil Lum’, and it was widely received and praised by the kung fu community. 

Master Lai Hung, in spite of his fearless and outspoken honesty in the martial arts circle, is highly respected here in the United States and throughout Southeast Asia. Whenever his name is mentioned, there is nothing but praise and admiration for this great martial arts hero.