25 April 2001
Cherise Fong

ABC Carol Wong has been practising kung fu for over twelve years in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has competed in China, as did her sister Marilyn, has taught back in the United States, and continues to train at the Wing Lam kung fu studio in San Jose.

- How did it all start?

My personal introduction to Kung Fu came just after I graduated from high school. My sister Marilyn, the more athletic one in the family, wanted to try kung fu at her friend's brother's kung fu studio. I had never tried anything like this before, but I decided to give it a try. I had always admired the amazing skills of the martial artists in movies and I had heard throughout the years about this friend's brother. I remember our first introductory lesson, I could hardly keep my balance when attempting the strange stances. The teacher even laughed at us once during the class, saying our punches were more like mosquito bites than elephant stomps. But the mental and physical challenge baited me to continue.

- What's it to you?

I grew up in San Jose, California. During my childhood in the 1970s, my sister and I were only two of perhaps four Chinese kids in the elementary school. There was a lot of cruel name calling and treatment by the other kids because I looked different and was smaller than they were. For many years up until high school, I resented being Chinese. Kung fu became a strength and a link to my Chinese identity. (The only thing I did that was Chinese before I started kung fu was to eat Chinese food and to say "doh jeh" when receiving red envelopes during Chinese New Year.)

- Which style do you practise?

The main style that I practice is Northern Shaolin Kung Fu. The Northern Shaolin that Sifu Kwong Wing Lam teaches has ten main open hand sets, two introductory sets (Lian Bu Chuan and Tan Tuy (Springing Legs)), and several traditional weapon sets such as shaolin nine province eyebrow height staff set, five tigers catch the lamb staff, broadsword, shaolin dragon movement straight sword, shaolin spear, double daggers, gwan do, chain whip, dragon head walking cane, six harmonies spear, twin flying dragons straight swords, three section staff, double tiger-head hook swords, and double broad sword.

There are also sparring sets, both open hand and with weapons. The ten open hand sets are numbered 1-10, however they are not taught in numerical order, the shorter easier sets are taught first. When all ten sets have been learned, the practitioner aims to practice them in a continuous series: the long sets (1,2,3), the short sets (4,5,6,7,8), and more long sets (9,10). Each of these sets has a particular personality or characteristic move as described by their names. Some names are as follows: Mo I (Martial Art) - Shaolin #5, Tun Da (The Short Strike) - Shaolin #6, Bot Bo (The Shuffling Step) - Shaolin #8, Chum Sam (Strike to the Heart) - Shaolin #4, and Jou Mah (The Sitting Horse) - Shaolin #3.

It is hard to say what my favorite set or specialty is, but some of my favorites are Broad sword, Koy Moon (Opening the Door) - Shaolin #1, Leng Low (The Leader) - Shaolin #2, and Tun Da (The Short Strike) - Shaolin #6, Tai chi straight sword, and Southern Hung Gar's five animal set. I have learned and greatly enjoyed Sun Style Tai Chi, a little baqua and xing yi, and a few Southern Hung Gar sets, however these are not my specialty. There is a lifetime of learning in Kung Fu.

- How did you choose the Wing Lam studio?

I left my original kung fu studio because they were discontinuing the program to focus on teaching Korean Tae Kwan Do. During my research for a good kung ku school, I heard only good things about Wing Lam Kung Fu. I had visited other local kung fu studios, but when I first observed a Wing Lam class, I knew this was the place for me. The original Wing Lam Kung Fu School was a small studio with a warehouse door. Students would overflow into the parking lot to practice their sets. The spirit and the emphasis on the basics were two of the elements that initially caught my eye. The traditional weapons and authentic Chinese flavor of the training were impressive. I remember thinking "They know how to count in Chinese. I need to learn Mandarin!"

The most impressive part of the studio to me was Sifu Kwong Wing Lam. Sifu was much smaller in physical size than my original teacher. However, he moved like no one I had ever seen in person before. Learning from a master who is not the size of a giant was further evidence of how technique is key - not just one's physical size. I was also impressed at how pleasant and humble Sifu's personality was. The studio was more like a family than a business.

- Are you ever disadvantaged by your size or gender?

I was 4'10" and 88 pounds when I started lessons with Sifu Wing Lam. Having expert instruction enabled me to gain muscle weight (when I train regularly, of course) and techniques to compensate for my size. My Sifu is realistic - he knows that techniques that are effective for a 200-lb man are not the same techniques that someone my size would find as effective. At one time during a sparring class, my Sifu said "You are more like a moped against big trucks."

I think that being small makes me focus more on technique. For example, a gwan do is a very heavy weapon. Not being large in size made it necessary for me to use proper technique to handle such a weapon. Had I been muscle bound, I could have forced the weapon where to go.

Being a woman has not caused any disadvantages - in fact, I think it helps since it gives me flexibility.

- What was it like to compete in China, especially as a Chinese-American?

The competition in 1991 was Jinan, China's first international kung fu tournament. Sifu brought a team of us there to compete. My friend Lori White was a celebrity there, getting many media interviews as a beautiful American woman who did kung fu. More people in China thought I was Japanese than American. I had an identity crisis - after growing up in a dominantly Caucasian culture and being told "Go back where you came from" as a child, it was a little unsettling to have the Chinese also think that I was not part of them. Being American-Chinese has made me a woman without a country.

One funny story at the competition was when I walked in the halls of the arena. Once Chinese man who saw me compete said "Shorty-Okay" and gave me a thumbs up!

- Meanwhile Marilyn, did you really have dim sum with Jet Li in Hong Kong?

Jet Li was on the Beijing wu-shu team with my China trip coordinator, Shaowin Wu, who was a monkey style expert. He had also trained with my primary instructor, Jamie Chan, who had been a double straight sword expert.

All of these people were in their prime, and the first wu-shu team to visit the United States in the early 1980s. Jamie married Anthony Chan who arranged for that fateful tour. Anthony and our first kung fu instructor George were friends, and I remember when Jamie first came to the US. She knew very little English and she was my partner for a few workouts. During my black belt test, Anthony and Jamie were part of the approval board during my test. I later trained with Jamie for 2 years until I retired. She only took five students, no beginners. We had a very close group, and I think everyone but one now is retired.

Jet Li was a very gracious host in Hong Kong. We had the best dim sum I have ever had. We didn't get anything off of the carts as the resturaunt we went to knew him and provided everything directly from the kitchen. After the meal, Jet was very patient, as we all had a chance to take photos with him. It wasn't until five years later that I realized just how famous he was!

- Where does kung fu stand in today's society, in western culture?

Kung fu in ancient times was for survival not sport. Today it is a hobby, form of exercise, and source of fun. Yes, all of the techniques can be used for self-defense, but prevention is still the best form of self-defense. I am not aware of any instances where someone from our school has had to use a technique to save themselves from an attack. However, we should always be ready.

When I teach a set, I like knowing that I am handing down a piece of Chinese history and culture. When Sifu introduced us to Sun Jian Yun, the 86-year-old daughter of the founder of Sun Style Tai Chi in Beijing, she was very happy that we were continuing her father's work in America. It is exciting to keep an ancient art alive.

I think that since the majority of the martial artists in the United States have full time jobs in an office and/or go to school, they miss the opportunity to fully master the art. Visiting Shaolin Temple and seeing those who train full-time from when they were children reinforced this idea. There is no possible way for us 'part-timers' to achieve the skill level of those practitioners. However, we gain so much by just touching the surface of what Kung Fu has to offer. This art has benefits for every level of practitioner.

- Speaking of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"...?

As with most mainstream movies that have martial arts in the plot, the kung fu studio gets many more new students. This one appears to have inspired more women to sign up than other recent movies.

I enjoyed the movie very much, however I wish there had been less flying and use of wires. I think that the use of wires takes away from the real skills that a martial artist can actually achieve. To cynical viewers, the impossible flying scenes confirm that all kung fu is only fantasy and has no real benefit. The two scenes that impressed me the most where 1) when the two women were fighting alone with the variety of traditional weapons - those were really great and inspiring sparring sets 2) Chow Yun Fat's few broad sword moves while he was alone in the courtyard. The beauty of kung fu was captured well in these scenes, as well as the actual mastery one can achieve. Of course, the scenery of the Gobi Desert and China was breathtaking, but without the mosquitoes and smell that comes with the real thing!

- What do kung fu films do for you? How about those "action figures" from Hong Kong?

Whenever I see a kung fu movie, I am so inspired to workout all day and night. Of course, I laugh at myself because while I am being inspired, I am holding a large bowl of popcorn with butter instead of working out at the studio.

I truly admire the HK action figures - Jackie Chan and Jet Li are my favorites. The women are so fortunate to be both beautiful and have "good moves". I wish I could have a job (and qualifications) like that! I like how HK action films display the elegance of kung fu in comparison to American movies that focus on "Bigger is better" and blood.

- Last but not least Carol, the question we've all been waiting for: What's the story with you and Jackie?

I wish I could say that Jackie and I are "tight", but the truth is, I only got to salute him and then shake his hand. When Jackie was here in San Jose, California, my friends Lori and Gary took me to the theater where Jackie would be presented with an award and there would be a question and answer session. It was a rainy day, so we arrived at the theater late - only to get seats way in back. Only reporters were allowed to go to the front out of seats, but when Jackie entered the theater, Lori and I decided to be bold and move up close. There he was - our hero!!!

He was just as personable and funny in person as he is in the movies. I stood in the aisle waving my hand to be chosen to ask Jackie a question... and then they finally picked me! Lori and I stood up together, and I said, "First of all Jackie, we would like to salute you." Lori and I saluted our hero, and even more exciting was that he saluted back!!! I asked him what his daily workouts consisted of. I was so star-struck to be there in my little yellow rubber rain coat talking to the real Jackie Chan that I can't remember much of what he said. All I can remember was that he did a lot of hanging from things and spent time making up moves.

When the Q&A session was over, and it was time for Jackie to leave, a circle of men came around Jackie (they may have been body guards). Just as the circle was getting tight, I yelled his name and stuck my arm between two of the men. The circle parted, I saw Jackie smile, and then he shook my hand. Afterwards, I had other fans touch me since I got to touch Jackie Chan. What a guy... (Jackie, if you are reading this, call me if you ever want a new leading lady!)

Wing Lam School of Kung Fu - http://www.wle.com

Photos (c) 2001 TC Media - www.KungfuMagazine.com