In Memory of the Leopard from Shantung
Mr. Kong Sing Chian, nicknamed the Leopard from Shantung, passed away peacefully many years ago. The following is a write-up of the Leopard from Shantung featured in "Bushido" magazine a long time ago.

Kong, the Leopard from Shantung, is as lively as the name suggests. Every part of his body is used when he spars; the hands, the feet, the knees, the elbows and even the head. His art, Yew Chuen is famous for strokes not unlike the movements of a swimmer doing the breaststroke. But it is more fluid and more closer to the movements of the legendary dragon. Co-incidentally it is derived from the Dragon Cloud School from Northern China.

Gogen Yamaguchi, the Cat, who is the highest-ranking member (10th dan red belt) of the Goju hierarchy, spoke highly of this school in his autobiography. When he was young, Yamaguchi was very fond of seeking exponents of other schools to spar with him. One day, the Japanese Government sent him on an intelligence mission to Manchuria. He was then in peak form and was a very redoubtable fighter. While he was in Manchuria he heard of an old but formidable boxer of the Dragon Cloud School. The old man was reputed to be more than 80 years old.

The young Yamaguchi doubted the authenticity of this claim, but yet was curious to see the man. He commanded his assistant to arrange a meeting. The unbelieving Yamaguchi threw a challenge on encountering the old master. His declination caused Yamaguchi to laugh and call him an old fraud. This angered the old man and he accepted Yamaguchi's earlier challenger.

Full of confidence, Yamaguchi attacked from the started. His youth gave him a lot of strength and speed, but to his surprise, the ancient Chinaman proved to be equally agile. Every thrust or blow that he threw was easily avoided. Try as he might, Yamaguchi could not land a single blow.

For almost an hour they fought. Yamaguchi was rapidly tiring. His futile efforts were causing a strain on him. The old man should have dropped from exhaustion by now, but he was not even panting. His stances varied from very low to very high. To Yamaguchi he sometimes appeared to be very tall and fearsome. His movements were likened to that of a dragon.

Suddenly, he delivered his "Shadow Kicks" which was too fast for the eye to follow. It struck Yamaguchi just at the point above the groin. Shivering pain racked Yamaguchi's body. But his reaction was very fast. He delivered a reverse strike to the forehead of his opponent causing him to jump back.

When they were recovered, Yamaguchi, full of admiration for his opponent who was thrice his age extended his hands and they departed as friends. To this day Yamaguchi talks of that old master and hopes to meet up with exponents of the Dragon Cloud School.

This then is the art of the Leopard from Shantung, Kong Shing Chian, an old man who practices his art with the vigor of a young man.

History of Kong Sing Chian
Born to a family of fighting folks, Kong Sing Chian took to martial arts as a duck to water. He learned the rudiments of Yew Chuen as soon as he could walk. His parents were well known for their fighting qualities in their native Shantung. By the time he was fourteen, Sing Chian was a formidable exponent. It was then that he met his actual master, Yang Wei Cher. Yang, a retired official was now engaged in trading. He was very impressed by the juvenile Kong and took him as his disciple. In his time Yang was an efficient keeper of the law, well known for his fighting skill. He had successfully curbed the growth of banditry in the areas under his jurisdiction, leading the assaults on the murderous bands that were waylaying travelers personally. When he retired from his job Yang was already fifty-seven but he was still extremely capable.

Kong accompanied his master on all his business trips, acting as bodyguard and lieutenant. In the course of their travels they encountered many highwayman but defended themselves successfully. For four years Kong trained under Yang. He was almost reaching his peak. He has intended being with his master for many more years, but this was not to be. Yang was deeply disturbed by the atrocities of the Manchu rulers. He decided to join the revolutionaries and went underground. Kong would have followed his master but was forbidden. Being a loyal disciple his accepted his master's wish and obeyed his instruction to go his own way.

Kong wandered all over the land. His thirst for the arts brought him in contact with many masters. They were impressed by his earnestness and willingly imparted their knowledge to him. He even traveled to the desolated steppes of Mongolia. There he befriended some Mongolian wrestles who taught him circling movements. For a living he acted as bodyguard to the rich, bankers and whatnot who needed the services of escorts. He also had the opportunity to learn the different aspects of herbal treatment. He also taught as an instructor in the famed Broadsword Regiment of China. After three years he quitted the job, up to then he had no disciple to call his own. One day he met a youngster whom he took as protege in Shanghai. The youth Soon Pong Cher alias Soon Ta Pern (The Eagle), because of his agility and ability to deliver highflying kicks, did him proud. He emerged as the champion of Chi Nan Province. Kong himself was not interested in 'Lui Tais' or tournaments. He preferred to pit his skills against other clubs in fights, which restricted blows to parts other than vital points.

Japanese Invasion of China
The Japanese Invasion of China spurred Kong to join the Vigilantes. He forayed against Japanese military convoys. He exploits made him a wanted man. He fled to Singapore and worked as a laborer to conceal his identity. Gradually he was able to improve his lot, supplying labor to the railroad authorities.

He has only four disciples in the whole of Singapore and Malaysia. Unlike 'Koons' or clubs, he does not accept any tuition fees. He does not believe in making money out of propagating his art. He has followed the traditional system of teaching only those whom he liked. He has instilled in his four disciples the loyalty and burden of looking after the master's welfare in his old age.

Three of his disciples are Singaporeans. Chan Yong Chia and Wong Thian Siew are businessmen whilst the third, Ong Kee Tong works for a living. The fourth, Ng Hong Yong is Malaysian, residing at Johore. He was one of the first graduates of Nanyang University and now teaches at school. Kong does not encourage any of his four disciples to take part in any competition.

At an age when most men preferred to take life easy, Kong is just the opposite. His look belies his age. He is now seventy-two but is as hale and hearty as a boy of eighteen. He accompanies the National Pugilistic Squad on their morning runs and leads them in exercises in the evenings. He is the medical consultant and physician for the squad. When asked of the existence of other greats of his time he answered that there probably are quite a few. Just like him, these people, preferring to be uncontrolled remained in anonymity. Of his art he has pointed out that the movement are more inclined to be circular not unlike 'Pok Kek'. Attacking techniques are based on feinting and hitting with swift motions. It is very much akin to those practiced by schools using the reverse strike. Stances are typical of the northern schools. Hand blows are accompanied by kicks in succession. The specialty of his techniques is striking when an opponent move to attack. It is a one-motio counter, moving in to strike before the other's blow starts. If a block is necessary, it is executed simultaneously with a strike.

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