Grandmaster John S.S. Leong 80th Birthday Celebration

[GeneChing]

The Grandmaster John S.S. Leong 80th Birthday Celebration (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70561-Grandmaster-John-S-S-Leong-80th-Birthday-Celebration) was held last weekend (Nov 11) at the China Harbor Restaurant (中國海景) in Seattle WA. There will be a full report in our next issue (not the upcoming JAN+FEB 2018 SHAOLIN SPECIAL (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70538-SHAOLIN-SPECIAL-January-February-2018) because that's already printed and will be hitting newsstands on Dec 12. It'll be in the MAR+APR 2018 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70562-March-April-2018) issue.

We just launched a facebook photo album (https://www.facebook.com/pg/Kung-Fu-Tai-Chi-Magazine-135964689362/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10156023051189363) today and posted half of the photos. The other half will be posted tomorrow or Friday.

Congratulations GM Leong! Our JAN+FEB 2008 cover master (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=738).

http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/images/mzine/Cov2008_1.jpg

[GeneChing]

See them all in our facebook photo album (https://www.facebook.com/pg/Kung-Fu-Tai-Chi-Magazine-135964689362/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10156023051189363).

Congrats again to GM John Leong!

https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23519183_10156026000549363_5391115202940837071_n.j pg?oh=61660685c8ea7b0dadb4dbd212765ed7&oe=5A9097FF

[GeneChing]

Gigi Oh & Jonny Oh attended this. Photos & report coming soon...


Celebrating Seattle Kung Fu Club’s diamond anniversary (https://nwasianweekly.com/2023/10/celebrating-seattle-kung-fu-clubs-diamond-anniversary/)
OCTOBER 9, 2023 BY ADMIN LEAVE A COMMENT

Few people are aware that the longest-standing martial arts school in Washington state is located in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District.

Founded by Grandmaster John Leong in 1962, the Seattle Kung Fu Club is considered “one of the longest-running Kung Fu schools in America,” as stated by Leong’s son, Robin, who is also a Kung Fu master at the China Harbor Restaurant.

It was a triple celebration, marking Leong’s 86th birthday, as well as the distinction of being the most historically significant Kung Fu school in our state and, perhaps, in all of the United States. Established in Chinatown in 1963, the Seattle Kung Fu Club has occupied the same location for the past 60 years, situated atop the Kau Kau B.B.Q. Restaurant with a shop below selling martial arts equipment and crafts.

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Master John Leong received the Grandmaster plaque (Photo by Assunta Ng)

https://nwasianweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Seattle-Kung-Fu-club_-lion-dance.jpg
Students performed a lion dance (Photo by Assunta Ng)

Leong started teaching the traditional art of Hung Gar Kung Fu in the summer of 1962 at the Metropolitan Health Club in downtown Seattle. This period also coincided with Seattle’s glory days, occurring in the midst of the World’s Fair, according to Robin.

Originally from Guangzhou, China, Leong began his journey when he was 25 years old.

The school is described as “a close-knit family—a family of dedication, selflessness, and honor,” according to Robin. Former and current students from various parts of the U.S. joined in the Oct. 7 celebration, including Hollywood movie star Marc Singer, 75, and several community leaders from Chinatown. Over 400 people attended, witnessing Leong’s students of all ages and diverse backgrounds performing Kung Fu in various styles and forms.

At 86, Leong continues to teach at his school, exercising for about an hour every day. Perhaps, these are the secrets to his longevity—having a purpose and maintaining his fitness.

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Master John Leong did a martial arts performance (Photo by Assunta Ng)

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