Wu Tai Chi Fight Against White Crane Kung Fu
Here is a rare video of the entire newsreel of the famous fight between Wu style Tai Chi Chuan master Wu Kung Yi (1898–1970) and White Crane Kung Fu master Chen Ke Fu . The bout was held in Macau on January of 1954. Wu Kung Yi felt that the honor of Tai Chi Chuan as a martial art needed to be defended and agreed to take part in an organized fight with all the proceeds to go towards charity.
One of the highlights of this old newsreel is the footage of the famous Yang Tai Chi Chuan master Tung Ying Chieh (1898–1961). In this video he is seen in what may be the only footage of him in a friendly exchange with Eagle Claw Kung Fu master Lau Fat Man to demonstrate the rules of the bout, as well as Tung Ying Chieh demonstrating a portion of his Tung’s Fast set of Tai Chi Chuan!
There is much controversy about the martial ability which both Wu Kung Yi and Chen Ke Fu demonstrated during this fight. At the time, Wu Kung Yi was 53 years old and the younger Chen Ke Fu was in his thirty’s. One thing to remember is that neither of these martial arts were designed to be fought in a ring with rules to limit their techniques, for example it was agreed upon that there would be no kicks during the bout.
The fight soon started to escalate in its intensity, and was stopped after Chen Ke Fu received a bloody nose from a punch by Wu Kung Yi. It was also reported that the arms of Chen Ke Fu were extremely bruised by the Hammer Fists of Wu Kung Yi.
Click on the image below to see more about this book on the Wu style of Tai Chi Chuan by Yang Jwing-Ming!
If you enjoyed this rare Tai Chi Video, please click on the “Like” button!
Don’t forget to leave a comment!
Shin yi tai== i see the essence of each mans personality= using the tools of the street they fought== you dont bring style when you fight a bear in the forrest for survival
I really liked the dubbed sound effects….lol…But the fight was really pathetic, both swinging their arms wildly. No style at all.
They look like a barroom fight. Bruce Lee was right Boxing with feet
Knowing any martial art is good, but useless when facing down someone with a gun
I should have read on first. Interesting to see but not. Disappointed to see such a lack of style. I kept waiting to see the masters fight instead of two of the spectators. I’m not certain how different the outcome would have been even if there had been no rules at all. Everything aside, thank you for the video.
Thank you for this video. I had heard about this historic fight but did not think I would ever see it.