Jim Fung
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Jim Fung (Fung Chuen Keung 馮傳強; 16.05.1944 - 18.03.2007 )
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 the legendary Yip Man (葉問). He passed away after a long battle with cancer, aged 62.[1]
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[edit] Accomplishments
Jim Fung immigrated to Australia from Hong Kong in his late teens and studied accountancy and law at the University of South Australia, graduating with a bachelor's degree in accounting. He is the author of two books, Wing Chun Kung Fu (now in its fourth printing) and Wing Chun Weapons, and produced a teaching video, Wing Chun, in 1985. His video was given a five-star rating by Inside Kung Fu magazine in the 1980s. Fung was also inducted into the magazine's Hall of Fame a few years later.
Fung was chosen to represent Chinese kung fu at the International Grandmasters' Martial Arts Exhibition in Adelaide, Australia, in 1989, and has received many accolades for his contribution to martial arts and the community. 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.[1] That recognition was afforded to only five other martial arts schools from outside China, of which only two remain. His Academy also became the first martial arts school to receive official Australian Government recognition for its two-year full-time Certificate Course in Wing Chun Instruction. Early in 2005, it was upgraded to diploma level and now embraces sport coaching.
Fung is also a permanent director of the Hong Kong Ving Tsun Athletic Association.[2]
[edit] A world record for IWCA
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 Grandmaster Jim Fung's 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, Jim Fung.[2]
