Since I was young, I have always been attracted to sports activities. Still, my journey through the Chinese martial disciplines began in September 1976, at the age of 16, when, after turbulent teenage years, I decided to explore new sports, approaching a world that was unknown to me, to find the guidance and balance that I was looking for. After approaching some doubtful teachers, I was lucky enough to meet Master Fong Yipko from Hong Kong, a teacher of traditional Gongfu Cai Li Fo (Choy Lee Fut).
This teacher, with his strong personality, excellent preparation and determination, immediately raised my enthusiasm. After only two years, I became his “Hoksan” (first student), and thanks to him, my life took a decisive turn. Since then, Chinese martial arts became the primary purpose of my life.
After three years of outstanding commitment, crowned by some competitive successes, in the summer of 1979, I traveled to Hong Kong with Master Fong for the first time. I was welcomed in his school of origin to receive the teachings of his Master Tsang Chiu Yiu, depositary of the 4th generation of the Bak Shing Choy Lee Fut style.
The time I spent in Hong Kong was short but intense. I was able to withstand the rhythms, the different climatic conditions, language, and culture; simultaneously, I earned unthinkable esteem and affection, as only possible in the Gungfu family.
From that year on, with enormous economic efforts, I planned my life systematically so that every summer, I could go to Hong Kong and immerse myself in this discipline without distractions. For the three summer months from 1980 to 1983, I lived in Hong Kong to acquire and breathe Gongfu under the direct guidance of Grand Master Tsang. Grandmaster Tsang is an esteemed orthopaedist, and at that time, his daily practice was devoted to caring for many patients. I would enter his house/school in the morning and leave after 10:00 p.m. for all my stay. My curiosity wandered everywhere and so Master Tsang did not skimp on his teaching. Even if there was a language barrier, the Master allowed me to learn directly from himself by imitating his daily life. In this way, I received the first rudiments of traditional Chinese medicine and specifically of Tuina. He initiated me into the “Yang” classic style of Taijiquan, always continuing the study of Choy Lee Fut. In addition, I learned from him the Buddhist Qigong method called “Yi Jin Jing.” Thanks to the daily teachings of Master Fung during the year and the teaching of Master Tsang during the summer, I felt more and more integrated into this world. The esteem and affection gained during this time allowed me, in the summer of 1983, to earn the degree of Master of the “Bak Shing Choy Lee Fut (Cai Li Fo)” system, conferred directly by the “HKCMAA Ltd. (Hong Kong Chinese Martial Arts Association), the international organization based in Hong Kong, which united local and international schools, masters and associations, recognized in the traditional Chinese styles. As a result, my role in Gungfu automatically changed, and from being a student “out of town,” I finally became a disciple of Choy Lee Fut’s school.
It is worth specifying that, for many people receiving a certificate of qualification is a success if one considers that today, since the opening of the borders of Communist China, the certification of teachers and masters is regulated by the relative fee. But in the traditional system and the Gongfu family, this happens through a process, which includes different ethical and moral requirements. Rules, respect, discipline, integration into the culture, living, and relationships are growing slowly. That’s the moment when you realize that the value of everything is systematically changing.
In the years following 1983 and until 1986, I had official access to the teachings of two other great leaders of the Choy Lee Fut style, those of Master Wong Mingsan, also known as Wong Gong, and Master Loo Kee, respectively depositaries of the 4th generation of two branches of the Hung Shing Choy Lee Fut style. The purpose of this was to allow me to expand my knowledge of the system to spread it in its complete form in Europe. And even if my duties multiplied, my enthusiasm was too much to reduce the effort.
From Master Wong Mingsan, I learned most of the study program of the Choy Lee Fut style of the “Hung Shing” branch. He is an important progenitor, a living library of the school. He introduced me to the internal work for the first time by initiating me into the “Shi ba shi Lo Han Chuan” (18 Buddha’s hands) system of Qigong, to support the training of the various dummies, traditional conditioning tools, to complete the physical training of Choy Lee Fut. On the other hand, Master Loo Kee was a doctor who looks more like a university professor than a martial artist. Therefore, it was advantageous for me to deepen the preventive aspect of TCM with him, which could support my body stressed by the intensity of training. I owe a lot to Master Loo Kee. He died in 2003, but what he transmitted to me remains indelible in my memory. His teaching was constantly enriched with metaphors, philosophical passages integrated with his medical culture. That’s what allows me today to transmit Gongfu with full awareness for the preservation of the body.
I owe Master Loo Kee the meeting with the myth of their generation of Gongfu, Master “Yuan Yitzai” of the “Hong Quan” style (heroic boxing). The path with Master Yuan was significant; from 1985 to 1989, the year he died, he was famous for the palm of steel. Whoever knew him outside of the martial environment can describe him as a veteran of the hardships caused by the Japanese occupation. Shy in social life, he was a feared person in the Gongfu environment for his many feats and superb skills. Although I was his first foreign student, his teaching was decisive and valuable in changing my personality. As per his will, his teachings have remained a true treasure in Gongfu Choy Lee Fut.
Thanks to Master Wong Gong that in the same year of 1985, I met and began to study Taijiquan of the Wu school, with the privilege of being accepted as a disciple by Master Wu Taishi (direct lineage of Master Wu Chenchuan). Master Wu’s teachings were very peculiar, as befits Taijiquan, which at the time, countered with my knowledge of Gongfu, so-called “external.” My memories are still alive of the first meetings with Master Wu Ts; his reluctance to teach a Westerner and my arrogance to quickly learn those gestures, apparently simple, characteristic of the Wu style.
What changed my opinion about him and Taijiquan, in general, was his ability in martial applications; even if I was young, well prepared and at the top of my shape, I often ended up against a wall or ruinously on the ground.
I studied with Master Wu during my summer stays from 1985 to 1989 and learned the complete form and many applications. Unfortunately, I was not fortunate enough to deepen the Tuishou because I could not attend these moments of practice, as I was already busy studying TCM with Master Loo Kee.
In the meantime, over these years, when teaching and training teachers, I often traveled from North to South Italy, then to Switzerland, to France, to Spain and former Yugoslavia. I followed each teacher directly so that they could benefit from my experience. In 1986 I founded ISCMAA, with headquarters in Lugano, consolidating the intense collaboration with teachers in Switzerland and Italy. In the summer of 1990, to reunite everyone under one roof, I founded IACMA.
After Master Wu Taishi’s moving to Singapore and thanks to my knowledge in martial arts circles, the desire to continue the experience of Taijiquan led me in 1989 to Master Wu Chan Lin coming from Gui Lin, who recently had arrived in Hong Kong. Master Wu CL was very different from all the masters previously described. He comes from People’s China; he has academic training, although he has received traditional teachings. His masters of Xingyi Quan, Cuo Liancu and the Yang style of Taijiquan: Wang Shao Zhou, were part of the old school (pre-Maoist) and therefore illustrious names in the martial world of Communist China. Moreover, master Wu CL was an exponent for the International Wushu organization in Hong Kong, being his daughter, Wu Xiaoqin, a multiple champion in the discipline. These allowed my experiences to widen in a field previously unknown to me, that of modern Wushu. Thanks to her guidance and teaching, I was able to delve into the “internal” styles of Xingyi Quan and Bagua Quan, which, together with the Chen style of Taijiquan, firmly consolidated my bases in that context. So, after a long apprenticeship, in the summer of 1992, I took the academic exam at HKWA, obtaining the qualification of Master of internal styles, Xinghi and Taijiquan”, as well as a master trainer for the modern styles of “Gungfu Wu Shu” for the “China Wu Shu Association.”
In the same year, 1992, I was awarded as “honorary member of the West” at the “Chan Heon Foundation,” an organization for safeguarding the Choy Lee Fut style, by the official representatives of the style recognized all over the world.
In the autumn of the following year, when I moved to Switzerland and opened the school which is still alive today, I took part in the foundation of the “Fedèration Suisse de Taiji Quan,” a first federative entity on the national territory designated to group all the exponents of this discipline. A few months later, in 1994, to collaborate closely in combat sports and thus give rise to significant competitions in the sector, I established the A.S.S.Co., the first association that deals with the organized dissemination of combat sports in Switzerland.
Keep on going with my summer tours in China, under the guidance of Master Wu Changing; in May 1996, I spent a period in the region of Shandong, the heart of martial arts and where the Shaolin Monastery and the Wudang Monastery are located. It was an exciting and emotional trip, focused on broadening my vision of Chinese martial arts. Those days were filled with confrontations, meetings, ceremonies with masters and local representatives. The journey reached its top when I received a commendation from the “Shandong Wu Shu Research & Development” to represent and spread the cultural programs of the official Shaolin Quan school in Switzerland for the Chinese organization.
The following years were dedicated to professional teaching, which became 1990 my main activity in my school in Lugano and abroad. In 2000 I decided to introduce in my practical experience the teachings of Master Xu Guoming, whom I invited privately to Switzerland. The didactic path with Master Xu continued for some years until 2008, experimenting with his experience based on the “Chen” style of Taijiquan and Lan Shou. The desire to explore different experiences in the combat world led me between 2003 and 2004 to Barcelona, where the school of Master Robin Gracie (7th son of the Gracie family) of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is located. It was an outstanding experience, strengthened by a brotherly friendship. Robin Gracie is a special person, with no claim to superiority but great skill and professionalism.
In 2002, the most unexpected encounter of my martial life occurred; I met Doctor and Master Wang Zhixiang, a straightforward person with a different approach than the previous masters. Master Wang ZX has a friendly and not very formal approach open to answer any curiosity.
He is a doctor in TCM, specializing in Neigong Tuina, a Qigong master, both medical and martial and an expert in Taijiquan “Wu” and “He” styles, but above all in the traditional “Yang” style of the water form.
The meeting with Master Wang is sealed by profound esteem and friendship consolidated over time. Thanks to him, I found the answers that allowed me to integrate my experiences. Culture, philosophy, art, martial arts, internal work, medicine, defensive applications, everything was clear to be used at its best.
With Master Wang, I went through a long journey, which allowed me to grow from a practical-intellectual point of view while learning and integrating Western culture and adapting it to various contexts.
Today my path is mainly focused on developing the “school of Water Form,” which integrates the disciplines of Taijiquan, Qigong, philosophical culture, TCM aspects, an experience shared with Master Wang ZX, spokesman of Master Wang Zhanhong after his death. As a result of the relationships created over the years, the project aims to recognize the method as the sixth school of Taijiquan at Chinese institutions.
I have met several personalities throughout my life, which I have not mentioned in my brief writing, but I am undoubtedly grateful for helping me grow. I refer in the first place to my students for having placed their esteem and trust in me, strengthening my courage and determination.
Then to all those who have allowed me to grow in multiple experiences in different Eastern disciplines, holistic medicine, interdisciplinary therapies, subtle energies, such as the Doctor in TCM, Cho Chul Ho, Dr. Dominique Hort, Dr. Carlo Cortella, to name a few.
All these experiences allowed me to compare the knowledge of Chinese disciplines to holistic medicine and scientific knowledge. Many projects have then become realities in senior institutions, educational institutions, banking institutions, universities, and therapeutic training centers from these collaborations.
In recent years I held representative positions within the school of Master Wang Zhixiang, as head of training for teachers of his school in the West, coordinator for international projects related to the culture of Chinese disciplines, such as the position of teacher for the therapeutic fields of Integrated Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine, specializing in healing massage Neigong Tuina, at the Policlinico “Ca Granda” and Clinica De Marchi in Milan alongside medical professionals. In addition, the teacher in charge of training, for the same disciplines as above, for the UPWA, People’s University Wang Academy, issues training credits recognized according to the latest Italian and European standards.
Still today, I wish to continue my practice with the same spirit of a curious student and with the same dedication to the teaching and transmission of martial disciplines so that they remain unaltered in the purity of their values.
CURRICULUM VITAE
-1976/1981 Student of Master Fung Yip Ko: Kung Fu Style Choy Lee Fut (Choy Lee Buddhist Style) e Pak Siu Lam (Northern Shaolin)
-1979/1990 Student of Master Tsang Chiu Yu in Hong Kong: Kung Fu Pak Shing Choy Lee Fut, Taiji Quan Yang, TCM study (acupuncture and tuina)
– 1983/1993 Student of Master Wong Gong: Kung Fu Style Hung Shing Choy Lee Fut e Luo Han Buddist Chi Kung (Qigong)
– 1985/1989 Following Master Yuan Hi Tzai (KongFu Hong Chuan)
– 1989/1997 Student of Master Wu Chuan Lin: Taiji Quan (school: Yang, Chen e Wu), Bagua and Xing Hi Chuan, Taoist Qigong
– 2000/2008 Following the teachings of Master Xu Guo Min: Taijiquan (Chen School) and Lan Shou, Martial Neigong
– from 2002 I follow Master Wang Zhi Xiang: Taiji Yang School (Dong Yin Jie) TCM and Neigong Tuina
– 2012/2016 Tuina Formation with Doc. Zhang Jing Zong e TCM formation with Doc. Jing Ling – Pechin
SIGNIFICANT RESULTS
– 1980/1981 Italian Absolute Champion Kung Fu Choy Lee Fut (free and intern style combat)
– 1983 Recognition from Hong Kong Chinese Martial Arts Association Ltd
– 1984 Nominated life member of Choy Lee Fut World Union Ltd
-1989 Approved by China Wu Shu Association; nominated European member for the “Huang Shing Choy Lee Fut Association”
-1990 Founder of IACMA (International Academy of Chinese Martial Arts)
-1992 European Honorary Member for the Chan Heon Foundation
-1993 Co-founder of the Fedèration Suisse de Taijiquan
-1996 Honorary Member of the Shandong Wushu Research & Development for the sport and culture development of the region of Shandong in Europe
-2008 Neigong Tuina Therapist Degree at the Shanghai Clinic of Traditional Chinese Medicine Doc. Zhou Xinwen
-2010 Technical Director of the project “Neigong Tuina therapist formation at the Policlinico di Milano: Clinica De Marchi
-2012 Neigong Tuina Therapist Degree at the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
-2014 Honorary Adviser of the International Wushu Federation; for a great job of spreading Chinese Martial Arts through Europe
-from 2006 Therapist Neigong Tuina Formation at Iacma
-from 2009 TCM Therapist Qigong Formation at the Medicina Empirica Lamone School
-from 2015 Director of the international Taijiquan and Qigong Teacher formation UPWA (Yang Water from Style): Italy, Switzerland, France and Germany
-from 2016 Popular Wang Academy University who takes care of the certificated Taijiquan/Qigong and Neigong Tuina Formation