Pui Chan
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Pui Chan is a sixth generation Grandmaster and successor of the Northern Praying Mantis System, as well as being the thirty-third generation successor of the Shaolin Temple. He is instrumental in bringing the Wah-Lum martial arts style to the United States, and is currently the only master who teaches the style there. Chan is the last disciple of Grandmaster Lee Kwan Shan, and has since studied under several other masters.
Chan's discipleship began at age six when he was accepted by Master Lee Kwan Shan. When Master Lee died, Chan's older kung-fu brother, Chan Wan Ching, continued his training until he mastered the style. Chan would later make his way to Hong Kong, and swim from the mainland to the island city, where he became a seaman. His job eventually moved him to New York. Subsequently, in 1968, Chan formed a kung fu school in Boston. In 1980, he and his family moved to Orlando, Florida, where he built the Wah Lum Kung-fu temple, the first of its kind in the United States. The temple caters to students of all ages and skill levels. Additionally, it has a program for sending American students to China, as well as bringing masters from China to teach in the United States.
With more than 50 years of martial arts experience, studying under various schools, Chan has chalked up many achievements in his lifetime. He has appeared on national television many times, including the Discovery Channel's "Secret of the Warrior's Power" documentaries, and ESPN. He also coordinates numerous fund-raising performances for the benefit of the St. Jude's Children Research.
Inside Kung-fu magazine praised Chan as "Instructor of the Year" for 1992 and 1999.
Chan currently lives in Orlando with his wife, Simu Suzy Chan, and his daughters, Sifu Mimi Chan and Tina Chan.
[edit] References
- Wah Lum Kung fu Temple, Inc. Wah Lum Kung Fu of U.S.A. Members Handbook.
