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Shi Gao Can

Sifu 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 two years. In 1962 Sifu Lai went to London to study and whilst there he trained in 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 three years.

Upon his return to Malaysia in 1968, Sifu Lai began studying Shaolin Kung Fu with Sifu Quek Heng Choon. Initially this took place at private classes held at a friend's house in Lorong Hicks. Subsequently the classes moved to the Associations Gym at Jalan Chow Kit, then to private classes at his own home, and finally to the association’s new training premises at Jalan Tong Shin. He studied Shaolin Kung Fu intensively from 1968 until his departure from Malaysia in 1979.

During his tenure at Sifu Quek's school, Sifu Lai was responsible for formulating the first formal syllabus and the grading methods for the System, to enable the school to comply with the new regulatory requirements for martial arts. Sifu Lai was authorised to begin teaching Shaolin Kung Fu in 1972, and on his departure from Malaysia in 1979 he held the 6th degree Black Sash.

In 1974 Sifu Lai met Master Leow while participating in the shooting of the film Paper Tiger. A strong friendship developed, and Sifu Lai went on to study with Master Leow and helped him to set up the Malaysian Taekwondo Association. Sifu Lai was the first secretary general of the association from 1976 to 1979. He was graded to a 2nd degree Taekwondo blackbelt and taught in the main centre at Peel Road as well as at his own centres. Sifu Lai also taught staff techniques to the Malaysian Army Taekwondo group (ATM) and the Malaysian Taekwondo black belts.

In the course of his involvement with Taekwondo, Sifu Lai hosted many training sessions involving highly qualified Shaolin Kung Fu stylists and Taekwondo practitioners, and was able to obtain a unique insight into the advantages and strengths of each discipline. During this period he was also involved in numerous discussions with Master Leow and the chief instructors of four other states about the development of martial arts.

As a result of these discussions it was decided to develop a new form of martial art, based on traditional Shaolin Kung Fu but incorporating some of the teaching techniques found in Taekwondo.