Grandmaster Wong Ark Yuey

Grandmaster Wong Ark-Yuey was born in 1899 in a large village near Canton, Southern China. In those days bandits were roaming the countryside and Master Wong's Grandfather made all males in the Wong family study kung fu if they were to receive any inheritance. Wong started at the age of seven within a Shao Lin Temple. He first studied under the very respected masters Lam Ark-Fun and Ho Yeng, then later under the chief Monk of Canton, Pang. Sifu Wong explained that the Cantonese pronunciation of "Siu Lam" (sometimes seen as Sil Lum) is the same as the more popular term Shao Lin, as in Shao Lin Temple boxing.

Master Wong immigrated to the United States around 1920. He first opened a school in Stockton California, then later on moved to Los Angeles area in 1929, where Master Wong taught exclusively for the Wong family the first two years. He then opened his Chinese Herb shop and Kung Fu School, called War Que ("War Kyu") or Overseas Chinese Martial Arts Association. Master Wong opened his doors to the public in 1965, to any sincere student who wanted to learn from a Master. Previously, all Chinese Kung Fu was taught to Chinese only, as it was kept a secret. He taught the Five Family styles of Cho Li, Fut, Mok, and Hung and the five animals of the Tiger, Dragon, Crane, Leopard and Snake. Master Wong taught Tai Chi Chuan, five element fist, natural fist and the Hop Gar Lama fist. He also taught the 18 traditional Shao Lin weapons, Lion and Dragon dancing and Chinese Acupuncture, Massage, and Herb medicine.

Master Wong was also a traditional Chinese herb doctor and helped many people with arthritis because of his special herb liniment called Dit Da Jow, a special Shao Lin temple recipe handed down to only those students who were loyal and sincere.

Master Wong was in the original pilot movie of the television series "Kung Fu", with the actor David Carridine, who played the part of "Kuai Chang Caine", (Grasshopper). Master Wong was the greatest Master of our century and the true "Pioneer" of Chinese Kung Fu in America. Master Wong was on the front cover of the 1965 issue of "Black Belt Magazine" and has had numerous articles about him in the "Inside Kung Fu Magazine".

Master Wong passed away on his birthday in January of 1987 at the age of 88. He was always helping people and devoted his whole life to Kung Fu and Chinese medicine. He was the last of the old Masters but his legacy and his Association is still being carried on today.

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