Si Gung Lai -
Christopher Lai Khee Choong
Sifu Lai began his Martial Arts studies when he was 12 years old. He studied Kodokan Judo, at the Selangor Judo Club in Jalan Stonor, for 2 years.
In 1962 Sifu Lai when to London to study and when he was there he studied Wado Ryu Karate under Sensei Tatsuo Suzuki, the 7th Degree European Chief Instructor of the Wado Ryu system (The Zen Nippon Karate Renmei). Karate is based on Chinese Kung Fu and looks to Bodhidharma as its founder (as does Shaolin Kung Fu). Sifu Lai studied Karate in London for 3 years.
Tai Si Gung Quek.
Upon his return to Malaysia in 1968, Sifu Lai took up the study of Shaolin Kung Fu with Sifu Quek Heng Choon, initially at private classes held at a friends house in Lorong Hicks, subsequently to the Associations Gym at Jalan Chow Kit, then to private classes at his own home, and finally to the Associations new training premises at Jalan Tong Shin.
He studied Shaolin Kungfu intensively from 1968 until his departure from Malaysia in 1979. During these years, training would comprise of at least 3 (and sometimes more) evening sessions of 4 hours each, and an all day Sunday session.
During his tenure at Sifu Quek's School, Sifu Lai was responsible for formulating the first formal syllabus for the System, and the grading methods, to enable the School to fit in to the new Martial Arts regulatory provisions.
Sifu Lai was authorised to begin teaching Shaolin Kung Fu in 1972, and on departure from Malaysia in 1979, he held the 6th Degree Black Sash.
Shaolin Nam Pai Chuan has grown and progressed smoothly with classes in many cities in UK and abroad. Grandmaster Quek still remains the technical adviser to Nam Pai Chuan. Today Nam Pai Chuan has finally become of age and is being taught in the sincere and dedicated manner as seen by Master Lai and his predecessors.
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