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Sifu Raymond Wong was born
in Hong Kong on November 22, 1956. Shortly thereafter his parents
immigrated to the United States and settled in Washington DC.
Around the age of ten, Sifu Wong informally began to learn some
basic Kung Fu from his father. Once he had had a taste of the
martial arts, Sifu Wong became obsessed with learning more. At
this time he met with Si Jo Dean Chin who had just opened the very
first Jow Ga school in the United States in Washington's
Chinatown. Sifu Wong threw himself into the study of Jow Ga with
all his energy (often against his parent's wishes) and was soon
considered one of Si Jo Chin's prominent students.
Sifu Wong competed for a
number of years on the open tournament circuit and won many of the
competitions he entered. His powerful and precise forms and
weapons techniques and his fierce sparring made him one of the
most respected competitors of his generation. He passed much of
his knowledge on to other students when he swore his loyalty to Si
Jo Chin and was made an instructor of the Jow Ga Kung Fu
Association. Many of the students he trained have become
nationally and internationally known competitors and some have
gone on to open their own schools.
During his time studying
with Si Jo Chin, Sifu Wong also became an experienced Lion Dance
performer. Due to his skill in this art, he has been regularly
contracted to perform at several government institutions
(including the White House), major corporations, and civic groups.
He has continued this tradition of excellence in his own Wong
Chinese Boxing Association which is recognized as the premiere
Lion Dance organization in Washington DC.
Unfortunately Si Jo Dean
Chin died on August 9,1985. The school Si Jo Chin had worked so
hard and long to establish now found itself in danger of being
torn apart by individuals who saw this as an opportunity to
further their own ambitions at the expense of his efforts and
reputation. In the midst of this upheaval, Sifu Wong decided that
the best way to preserve Si Jo's teachings was to open his own
school. He did so in 1987 with the help of other students who had
remained loyal to Dean Chin, by establishing the Wong Chinese
Boxing Association.
Over the years he has
trained hundreds of people in the art of Jow Ga. The Wong Chinese
Boxing Association regularly participates in and wins many
tournaments and its students are recognized by many as possessing
outstanding Kung Fu skills. His Lion Dance team has performed for
the FBI, CIA, most of the Federal agencies in the Washington
metropolitan area, DC government, major sports arenas, and many
private businesses, civic groups, and churches. Traditionally,
however, the main focus of the Lion Dance is not entertainment. It
is intended to chase away evil spirits and to bring good fortune
to those for whom it is performed. Therefore, Sifu Wong's Lions
are on call twenty-four hours a day throughout the year for anyone
who wishes to ward off bad luck. One of Sifu Wong's most important
achievements is the Jow Ga Kung Fu Temple Program. Through this
program he takes in a number of people each year who through
eviction, loss of employment, poverty, or other misfortunes are at
risk of dropping out of school or turning to crime and teaches
them Kung Fu. He also provides those who need it with a roof, food
and clothing. In addition, they are able to learn skills such as
apartment management, sales and service, locksmithing,
construction, and tutoring. Several people who have come into
Sifu's school in this way have not only become outstanding martial
artists, but have also turned their lives in a positive direction.
Sifu Wong continues to live
and work in Washington DC where he has successfully filled the
void left by the untimely death of Si Jo Dean Chin.
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