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Kung Fu San Soo |
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Of Romulus Michigan
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Legend? Myth? How was this art developed? Who is the Chin family? These are
some of the questions that come to mind when people hear the history of our
art. Our knowledge of the art comes from our Grandmaster Jimmy H. Woo. Our
history states that Kung Fu San Soo was originally taught and studied in the
Kwan Yin Monastery [Goddess of Mercy]in southern China. The art was honed
and developed within the walls of this monastery. How the art was started
has caused some speculation of its’ actual inception. At one point in
China's history, it was divided into many different warring factions. Each
faction produced different types of fighting styles. History has been blurred due to the constant conflict and strife in China. We do know that throughout China's history skilled fighters have been forced to either fight for the emperors or against them. The emperors generally outlawed arts that were deemed to effective. The temples are one of the main reasons the arts are alive today. Chin Leoung Kick was the great, great, great grandfather of Chin Sui Dek, a.k.a. Jimmy H. Woo. The art was passed down through the Chin family as time past on. Three generations later Chin Sui Hung became a well-known fighter and San Soo teacher. He nicknamed Neow Gee Crazy Devil because of his physical appearance. He became involved in LeTi matches. These were competitions located in Southern China among other martial artists. These events were classified as death matches because they were fought until their opponent submitted and often ended in death. Hung became famous for issuing a general challenge to anyone. Hung's style was known for its crippling ability and few would ever dare challenge him. At his passing Chin Sui Hung went undefeated in the matches that he was challenge or he made the challenge too. Chin Sui Dek, Jimmy H. Woo, came to live with his great uncle Chin Sui Hung and learn the family art. Dek became Hung's prized student, while enjoying the hard grueling work outs and learning quickly. In his teens Dek became a traveling teacher of the art. He was also developing a reputation as a formidable fighter in a time known for fights ending in crippling and death. Kung Fu San Soo “Tsoi Li Ho Fut Hung” comes to America Chin Sui Dek left China to come to America under the name Jimmy H. Woo. It is a blessing he came here with the Chin family art so it would not be lost with his passing of life. He worked a variety of different jobs while becoming familiar with China Town, Los Angles California. In 1959 Jimmy opened his first martial arts studio in El Monte, California. He became the first master to open his studio to non-Asian students in the area. The true name of his art is Tsoi Li Ho Fut Hung. Jimmy decided to use the term San Soo to emphasize the combat style of his art. He also decided not to emphasize the spiritual or healing aspects used in other arts. In January of 1984, Jimmy became known as LoSiFu or Grandmaster when his Grandson J. P. King earned his black belt. In 1993 J.P. King achieved master level recognition. J. P. King is the seventh generation of San Soo practitioners in Jimmy's family. |
This site was last updated 04/03/07
