Jim Fung

Infobox_martial_artist
name = Jim Fung (馮傳強)
residence = Sydney, Australia flagicon|Australia
other_names =


imagesize =
caption = Jim Fung
birth_name = Fung Chuen Keung (馮傳強)
birth_date = May 16, 1944
birth_place = Hong Kong flagicon|Hong Kong
death_date = March 18, 2007
death_place = Sydney, Australia
death_cause = Cancer
martial_art = Wing Chun
teacher = Tsui Seung Tin (徐尚田),
rank = Grandmaster
students =
website = www.wingchun.com.au
footnotes =

Jim Fung (Fung Chuen Keung 馮傳強;May 16, 1944 - March 18, 2007) was a practitioner and teacher of Wing Chun kung fu and founder of the 'International Wing Chun Academy'. He had been training under his master, Tsui Seung Tin (徐尚田), since 1960. Tsui, chairman of the Hong Kong Ving Tsun Athletic Association, was one of the closed door students of Yip Man (葉問) [http://www.wingchun.com.au/img/credentials/endorse.jpg] .

Accomplishments

Jim Fung immigrated to Australia from Hong Kong in his late teens and studied accountancy and law at the University of Adelaide, graduating with a bachelor's degree in accounting. He is the author of two books, Wing Chun Kung Fu and Wing Chun Weapons, and produced a teaching video titled "Wing Chun", in 1985.

Fung was chosen to represent Chinese kung fu at the International Grandmasters' Martial Arts Exhibition in Adelaide, Australia, in 1989. However, he says the greatest honour thus far was having his Academy officially recognised by the Chinese Government and world ruling body for Chinese martial arts in the All China Martial Arts Register published in 1998. [http://www.wingchun.com.au/credentials.shtml The Master - Grandmaster Jim Fung's International Wing Chun Academy (Australia) ] ] [ [http://www.smh.com.au/news/obituaries/businessman-and-martial-artist-packed-a-punch/2007/04/01/1175366073663.html?page=2 Businessman and martial artist packed a punch - Obituaries - smh.com.au ] ] .

Fung is also a permanent director of the Hong Kong Ving Tsun Athletic Association.

In 1999, Fung was conferred the title of Grandmaster by Chu Shong Tin. [Blitz Magazine 2003 Vol 17, No 7]

A world record for IWCA

In August, 2005, one of Fung's students, Robert Ardito, received world acclaim when he broke the Guinness Book of Records speed punching record. His record was 428 punches per minute, breaking the previous record of 347 punches per minute.

Robert Ardito renewed his record on the 18th of March, 2007, at the International Wing Chun Academy in Sydney. He is now the current world record holder, having performed 700 punches in one minute. Ardito raised funds for cancer research through the event, and dedicated his record to his sifu, Fung. [http://www.wingchun.com.au/popup_guinnessworldrecord2.html]

Battle with cancer

In February 2004 Jim Fung was diagnosed with an already advanced case of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. A rare form of throat cancer, it is 100 times more prevalent in people from South East China and Hong Kong. Yip Man, his Sigung, also died of throat cancer.

His overseas training visits to Tsui Seung Tin, daily training regimen and teaching continued during treatment, his condition unbeknownst by his students [ [http://www.wingchun.com.au/memorial_announcement_sifujim.shtml Announcement from the International Wing Chun Academy ] ] . He continued up until days before passing away March 18th, 2007, aged 62. [ [http://notices.smh.com.au/death/28308/notice.aspx Jimmy Chuen Keung Fung Death Notice - Notices - smh.com.au ] ]

A donor to cancer research himself, a memorial fund was established with proceeds going to the Queensland Institute of Medical Research and the Oncology Department of St Vincent's Hospital.

References

External links

* [http://www.wingchun.com.au/ International Wing Chun Academy]
* [http://www.chushongtin.com/ School: Tsui Seung Tin]
* [http://www.wingchun.com.au/multimedia/open%20day/openday_highlights.wmv Video containing footage of Jim Fung and Tsui Seung Tin]