Jim Fung

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Jim Fung (馮傳強)

Jim Fung
Born Fung Chuen Keung (馮傳強)
May 16, 1944
Hong Kong Flag of Hong Kong
Died March 18, 2007
Sydney, Australia
Cancer
Residence Sydney, Australia Flag of Australia
Martial art practiced Wing Chun
Teacher(s) Tsui Seung Tin (徐尚田),
Rank Grandmaster
Website www.wingchun.com.au

Jim Fung (Fung Chuen Keung 馮傳強;May 16, 1944 - March 18, 2007) Jim Fung was a practitioner and teacher of Wing Chun kung fu and founder of the 'International Wing Chun Academy'. He had been training under his master, Tsui Seung Tin (徐尚田), since 1960. Tsui, chairman of the Hong Kong Ving Tsun Athletic Association, was one of the closed door students of Yip Man (葉問) [1].

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[edit] Accomplishments

Tsui and Fung engage in Chi Sau
Tsui and Fung engage in Chi Sau

Jim Fung immigrated to Australia from Hong Kong in his late teens and studied accountancy and law at the University of Adelaide, graduating with a bachelor's degree in accounting. He is the author of two books, Wing Chun Kung Fu and Wing Chun Weapons, and produced a teaching video titled "Wing Chun", in 1985.

Jim Fung demonstrates the Wing Chun thrust kick
Jim Fung demonstrates the Wing Chun thrust kick

Fung was chosen to represent Chinese kung fu at the International Grandmasters' Martial Arts Exhibition in Adelaide, Australia, in 1989. However, he says the greatest honour thus far was having his Academy officially recognised by the Chinese Government and world ruling body for Chinese martial arts in the All China Martial Arts Register published in 1998.[2][3].

Fung is also a permanent director of the Hong Kong Ving Tsun Athletic Association.[4]

In 1999, Fung was conferred the title of Grandmaster by Chu Shong Tin.[5]

[edit] A world record for IWCA

Fung and Robert Ardito
Fung and Robert Ardito

In August, 2005, one of Fung's students, Robert Ardito, received world acclaim when he broke the Guinness Book of Records speed punching record. His record was 428 punches per minute, breaking the previous record of 347 punches per minute.

Robert Ardito renewed his record on the 18th of March, 2007, at the International Wing Chun Academy in Sydney. He is now the current world record holder, having performed 700 punches in one minute. Ardito raised funds for cancer research through the event, and dedicated his record to his sifu, Fung.[1]

[edit] Battle with cancer

In February 2004 Jim Fung was diagnosed with an already advanced case of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. A rare form of throat cancer, it is 100 times more prevalent in people from South East China and Hong Kong. Yip Man, his Sigung, also died of throat cancer.

His overseas training visits to Tsui Seung Tin, daily training regimen and teaching continued during treatment, his condition unbeknownst by his students [6]. He continued up until days before passing away March 18th, 2007, aged 62.[7]

A donor to cancer research himself, a memorial fund was established with proceeds going to the Queensland Institute of Medical Research and the Oncology Department of St Vincent's Hospital.

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