Sijo Chee Kim Thong - A legendary master of renowned repute

 

The late Sijo Chee Kim Thong (passed away in 2001) was a legendary kung fu master from Fujian, China. Whereas stories of so-called legendary masters were simply heresay or 'mouth', Chee Kim Thong was proof of what a great master should be.

 

He was an unbeaten champion fighter and was selected as a member of the famous broad sword brigade in China and became the youngest of the three instructors. The members were selected on the basis of their kung fu skills. Three kung fu monks, a king of Monkey Kung Fu and numerous others lost to him to combat in China.  That was the reason why he had to sneak out through the back door to find out who it was, whenever there was a knock on his front door.  He was not afraid of the challenges, but found it too costly to administer medicines to his defeated injured opponents.

 

Whilst in Fujian, China, he 'dim mak' a bully (gangster) who was running a river crossing business with his boat. As soon as the schoolboys went on to his boat, he would increase the price of crossing.  Young Chee agreed to pay his increased fee and as soon as they touched land, he 'dim mak' him. He then gave his details to a hawker and told him to pass on the message to the bully.  He told the astonished hawker that the bully would collapsed within a few minutes and if did not see him within three days for treatment, he would be dead.  A group of gangsters had to carry him on a stretcher, but they were too wary to challenge him, after seeing what had happened to their colleague.

 

 

During the Second World War he saw combat against the foreigh invaders in China. A lot of the enemy combatants were eliminated by him either with his weapon or sword. One general lost his life when Chee Kim Thong despatched him with his broadsword, when they clashed after running out of ammunition.

 

In Malaysia, he was challenged by a thai-boxer and broke the challenger's leg.  He also encountered and defeated other kung fu and silat fighters with ease.  In some incidences, he defeated groups of armed men;  once in his home and another in his work place, defending a fellow colleague.

 

There was never anyone within his school who could even find a weakness in his ability - whether it is fighting, just testing or even when he was getting very old. His Chi Sau (sticky hands), Tiu Sau (push hands), Chin Na (Seizing or Grapplong Art) is second to none. Even Yap Leong was treated like a novice when playing with him. He would float him like a butterfly or sink him like the Titanic.

 

In 1989 Sijo Chee was declared by the Chinese Government as China's National Treasure.

 

In 1991 Grandmaster Sijo appointed Grandmaster Yap Leong to be in charge of the Tai Cho (Emperor Fist) in England. Chao K'uang Yin was a kung fu expert when he took over as first emperor of the Sung Dynasty (960-1279). His title as emperor was known as Tai Cho (Tai Tsu). Grandmaster Leong was appointed by Sijo Chee as the Chief Instructor for Emperor Fists in the UK.