Peter Chong (karateka)

Peter Chong
Born Chong Seh Jam
1941 (age 70–71)
Singapore
Residence Singapore
Style Kyokushin Karate
Teacher(s) Masutatsu Oyama
Rank 8th dan karate
Notable school(s) Singapore Oyama Karate-Do Kyokushinkaikan
Website http://www.ikosingapore.com/

Peter Chong, PBM (born 1941) is a Kyokushin karate master and a former Assistant Superintendent of Police in Singapore.[1] He is the International Committee Chairman for Asia and the Middle East in the International Karate Organization founded by Masutatsu Oyama (1923–1994) and now led by Shokei Matsui.[2]

Early life

Chong was born as Chong Seh Jam[3][4] in 1941 in Singapore. As a boy, he was bullied by his classmates. Chong began training in martial arts under his father in 1955, at the age of 14, but the training stopped when his father adopted a non-violent philosophy due to its perceived conflict with his new Roman Catholic faith.[1]

Career

Prior to studying Kyokushin karate, Chong had practised judo and was a judo instructor in the Singapore Police Force.[3] In 1965, Chong sailed to Japan to train under Mas Oyama, without informing either his wife or his father of his intentions.[1] He attained the ranks of 3rd dan in 1968 and 4th dan in 1972.[1] At some point after 1968, Chong established his own dojo, which was not registered with the Singapore Karate Association.[5] Chong had attained 5th dan by 1975,[6] and was at that rank until at least 1979.[7] Chong was responsible for training Inamullah Khan, pioneer of Kyokushin karate in Pakistan.[8][9]

In 1988, Chong received the Pingat Bakti Masyarakat (Public Service Medal) from Teng Cheong Ong, then Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, for services to the martial arts.[1] Chong is currently ranked 8th dan in Kyokushin karate,[1] and was promoted to that rank in 1999.[10]

Personal life

Chong has two sons who are also Kyokushin karate practitioners: Jackie, 5th dan, and James, 3rd dan.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Kim, A., & Quek, D. (2003): Singapore Oyama Karate-Do Kyokushinkaikan: Biography of Shihan Peter Chong Retrieved on 27 December 2009.
  2. ^ IKO Kyokushinkaikan: Kancho & Committee Members Retrieved on 21 December 2009.
  3. ^ a b Shimmen, W. (1969): "Peter Chong Seh Jam, Oyama 3rd dan, claims defeat of 100 men in exam," Black Belt (January 1969), 7(1):9.
  4. ^ Chong, P. S. J. (1969): "Chong's claims," Black Belt (July 1969), 7(7):3.
  5. ^ Shimmen, W. (1969): "Mr Shimmer (sic) replies," Black Belt (July 1969), 7(7):4.
  6. ^ Yussof, S. (2009): Shaharin Yussof Retrieved on 27 December 2009.
  7. ^ Singapore Oyama Karate-Do Kyokushinkaikan: Penpicture of Shihan Patrick Teo Retrieved on 12 January 2010.
  8. ^ International Kyokushinkaikan Karate Organization, Pakistan: Pioneer in Pakistan Retrieved on 31 January 2010.
  9. ^ Pak-Kyokushin: Kyokushin kaikan & Shihan Retrieved on 4 February 2010.
  10. ^ Singapore Oyama Karate-Do Kyokushinkaikan: The Blackbelt page Retrieved on 4 February 2010.

External links