LEUNG SHEUNG 梁相 (1918-1978) - Wing Chun Master Practitioner
By Wing Chun Orange County
Leung Sheung was the senior-most Wing Chun student of Yip Man. Humble to the core, he chose to let his ability speak for itself. Yet modesty permeated his approach always praising his sifu's abilities over his own.
However, despite his stubborn humility, Leung Sheung's abilities were anything but modest. In fact, based upon ability alone, he may have very well been one of the most respected of Yip Man's students.
However, despite his stubborn humility, Leung Sheung's abilities were anything but modest. In fact, based upon ability alone, he may have very well been one of the most respected of Yip Man's students.
The Backstory
Leung Sheung was a native of the city of Ah Yiu in Nan Hoi County, Guangdong Province. He immersed himself in traditional Chinese martial arts from an early age. He studied several kung fu styles growing up including White Eye-Brow, Choi Lee Fut, Dragon Style as well as Wing Chun. He trained under many well known teachers such as Yip Gun, Lee Yit, Teng Shui, Wong Cheong and Yip Man. Throughout his entire life, he consistently promoted the worth of martial arts and eagerly encouraged others to practice.
Regardless of Leung Sheung's dedication to martial arts, his job often required him to move around to different locations. Therefore, early on as he studied kung fu styles before Wing Chun, he was unable to consistently learn from any one teacher. However, he never gave up. Like all great martial artists, he found ways to learn. Whether it was from kung fu teachers or friends, in whatever city his work led him, Leung Sheung made martial arts a priority.
His professional appeal and proficiency in communications, led to his election as the first General Secretary of the newly formed Hong Kong Restaurant Workers' Union.
There was a Martial Arts branch of the Hong Kong Restaurant Workers Union. When an open martial arts teaching position came up within union, its members nominated Leung Sheung due his strong qualifications as a lifelong martial artist.
Enter Yip Man
Around this time, Yip Man had arrived in Hong Kong. A mutual friend by the name of Lee Man introduced him to Leung Sheung. Being impressed by Yip Man's Wing Chun skills, Leung Sheung asked Yip Man to accept the union's martial arts teaching position. At that point, Leung Sheung emptied his cup. He decided to let go of all his previous martial arts training in order to study seriously under Yip Man.
Leung Sheung grew more and more appreciative of Yip Man and his Wing Chun teachings. With his encouragement as well as others, Yip Man began to teach publicly outside the union. This is how Yip Man became the first person to teach Wing Chun publicly. Because of this, Wing Chun became established in Hong Kong in the 1950's, and was able to have to chance to develop into its present international popularity.
Leung Sheung - The Overlooked Wing Chun Master
Leung Sheung's modesty has kept him from being more well known. However, he must be acknowledged not only for his great skill but for the priceless role he played in the development of Wing Chun as a whole. Many people know of Yip Man and Bruce Lee, but not of Leung Sheung. He should be known among history's famous martial arts instructors. Those who knew him, his Wing Chun brothers as well as his students, highly respected his Wing Chun skill. Empowered by advantage of his prior training and experience as well as his a strong belief that only practical application can verify theory, he was further admired for his innovative experimentation. Due to his perpetual and patient teaching methods, Leung Sheung was successful in teaching many skillful students. During Leung Sheung's lifetime, it was commonly said that one learning from Leung Sheung was certain to develop good skill in chi sao (sticking hands). Others have referred to Leung Sheung as "the King of Bil Jee". Such compliments further demonstrated confidence in Leung Sheung's ability and excellence in passing down Wing Chun.
Leung Sheung passed away many years ago. Despite only limited historical materials and stories, Leung Sheung’s spirit has nonetheless continued to pass down Wing Chun. Leung Sheung's contributions were instrumental in Wing Chun's worldwide growth, and the art's continuing growth for generations to come.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leung_Sheung
http://www.ocwingchun.com/2009/02/orange-county-wing-chun-leung-sheung.html
http://www.leungsheung.com/bio.html
A Short Tribute Video to Leung Sheung
Photos of Leung Sheung
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LEUNG SHEUNG QUOTES
"If you find me, you are lucky."Leung Sheung never advertised his school. He never had a sign. He took the approach that if a student found him, that they were lucky to have done so.
QUICK FACTS ABOUT LEUNG SHEUNG
Leung Sheung was Yip Man's senior-most student - this includes all of Yip Man's students including Bruce Lee.Despite Leung Sheung's decided expertise, he chose to be a humble advocate of Wing Chun instead of himself. Always advocating Yip Man's abilities instead of his own.
Leung Sheung firmly maintained that only practical application can verify theory.
Leung Sheung played a significant role in introducing and promoting Yip Man to the Hong Kong community. Leung Sheung is responsible for recommending Yip Man for his first Wing Chun teaching job at a time when Ip Man was alone and destitute.
Leung Sheung was widely recognized by his peers for his achievement and superior skill in Wing Chun.
Leung Sheung was particular known for his exceptional abilities in chi sao (sticky hands). It was often said that one learning from Leung Sheung was certain to develop genuine skill in chi sau.
Leung Sheung was the first student of Ip Man to teach in Hong Kong (1957)
Are you a Leung Sheung lineage Wing Chun practitioner?
If so, we urge you to support the Worldwide Leung Sheung Lineage Association. Together we can further the legacy of the late, great Leung Sheung.
