Master Chow Loong was a pioneering force in Southern Chinese martial arts and the founder of Chow Gar Kung Fu — a close-range combat system forged in the crucible of real-world fighting. Developed in the early 1900s, during an era when martial styles were tested not in demonstration halls but in village disputes, street confrontations, and rooftop challenge matches, Chow Gar emerged as a system defined by its efficiency, compact structure, and devastating power. Blending the grounded strength of Hung Kuen with the nimble footwork of Choy Gar, Master Chow created an art uniquely suited to close-quarters combat — direct, explosive, and uncompromisingly practical.
Chow Gar was described as having:
- The head of Hung – referencing Hung Kuen (Hung Gar)’s rooted stances, powerful upper body techniques, and fierce, muscular energy.
- The tail of Choy – referring to Choy Gar’s agile, evasive footwork and explosive mobility.
- The patterns of tiger and leopard – indicating animal-style movements that combine ferocity, speed, and unpredictability.
This combination gave Chow Gar a balanced approach: solid and forceful in foundation, but mobile and aggressive in execution.
Chow Loong passed this art down to his five brothers, who became known across southern China as the Five Tigers of Chow Gar. Together, they dominated the martial arts scene in Kwangtung Province for nearly half a century, spreading the system and refining its techniques. The family’s reputation became legendary — not only for their fighting ability, but for their unwavering loyalty to the traditional way. Chow Gar became known as a style that didn’t rely on flash or showmanship, but on raw effectiveness and deeply ingrained structure. It was a style that forged warriors — disciplined, grounded, and lethal.
Our Academy traces its direct connection to Master Chow Loong through Grandmaster Kong On, who was one of his early students. That lineage was passed on through Master Kong Hing, then through Grandmaster Lay Wing Sung, and ultimately preserved and taught today by Sifu George Michielsen. Through this unbroken line, the teachings of Master Chow Loong remain alive in our forms, our strategy, and our philosophy. His legacy is one of resilience, practicality, and innovation — a living testament to an art that might otherwise have faded into history, but instead continues to thrive in the hands of those who carry it forward with honour.
