Lee Kam Wing ( seventh generation ) was born in Hong Kong in 1947 and came from a martial arts family, his father Lee Chau was a practitioner of the Pak Mei style of Kung Fu.As a young child he would often watch his father practise with his Kung fu brothers but being a merchant he never taught the art of Pak Mei and only practised for his own health and self defence benefits.For the same reasons he would not teach the young Lee Kam Wing. Although he knew very little about the different styles of Kung Fu, Lee Kam Wing was fascinated by the Chinese martial arts throughout his childhood and was always thrilled bythe antics of the Monkey King in various operas and film shows.
His father opened a dying factory and as his eldest son, it was his responsibility to help.Master Lee recalls that these days were very hard, working long hours in adverse conditions of damp and heat. The fabric had to be stirred and removed from the vats with a long pole while being heavily weighed down with water.The cloth had to be delivered by hand and loading up a large barrow, he would make deliveries around the Kowloon area. In those days most of the buildings didn’t have lifts so each roll had to be carried up stairs often six floors or more. Because of his interest in the martial arts his uncle took him to view a Kung Fu class run by Master Chu Chi Man, the young Lee Kam Wing was goggle-eyed, he could not believe the speed, power and agility of the students on view and he felt that this must surely be the Monkey style. It didn’t take him long to find out that he was really watching the Seven Stars Praying Mantis Kung Fu.At fifteen years of age he started his studies under Master Chu, he began to look upon the hard work in his fathers dye house with a more positive frame of mind.It could be used as a method of training, building up strong leg and arm muscles. Lee Kam Wing studied with Master Chu for ten years and learnt the complete system as handed down by Grand Master Low Kwan Yu.
During this period, a famous Pak Mei Master arrived in Hong Kong from China,Lee Kam Wing’s father assisted him in setting up a gymnasium. Of course, Lee Kam Wing helped his father and had the opportunity to study the Pak Mei style.Chu Chi Man, hearing of this, was very worried that his student might change styles.Master Chu spoke to his student about this; Lee Kam Wing reassured him that this would not be the case.
RESPECT FOR ALL STYLES
Although Master Lee has the greatest respect for the Pak Mei style and for all other styles of Kung Fu, he told his Sifu that it was his duty to teach and promote the Seven Stars Praying Mantis style.In 1972, with the encouragement of Master Chu, he opened his own Martial Arts Gymnasium.Master Chu presented him with four hand written books which were given to him by his teacher Low Kwan Yu.The books were entitled ‘ The Origins of Shaolin Kung Fu ’, ‘ Basic Structure of Iron Palm Techniques ’, ‘ The Boxing Theories of The Seven Star Praying Mantis Style ’, and ‘ Methods of Bone Setting ’.Master Lee has made an advanced study of Osteopathy and Acupuncture in Guangzhou and is a graduate of the Famous Foshan Orthopaedics Hospital in China.In co-operation with Master Leung Ting he provided information for the book ’ Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu ’ which was published in 1980.Lee Kam Wing has been a practising Buddhist since 1981 and in 1985 produced his own book ‘The Secret of Seven Star Mantis Kung Fu ’.
This was the first detailed book on the Praying Mantis style to be published, featuring
Three Hand Forms, Basics, Kicks, Chi Gung and many theories and applications. His promise to Sifu Master Chu Chi Man to promote the style has been kept and he has taught the art to many overseas students from Japan, America, Germany, England, Italy, South Africa, France, Brazil, Hungary and Holland.Seminars have also been held in Germany, England, Hungary France, America, Italy and Australia.In 2005 Sifu Lee led a team from the Hong Kong Chinese Martial Arts Associationto Qingdao in Shandong province he won gold medals for his performance of Mantis Empty hand and Stick forms. Sifu Lee Kam Wing is a permanent member of the Hong Kong Chinese Martial arts Association,
Vice president of Hong Kong Southern and Northern Martial Arts Association (Founder member)President of Hong Kong Shandong Mantis Boxing Association (founder member)Director and Vice President of Hong Kong Chin Woo Athletic Association.Vice chairman of the World Organisation of Wushu Kung Fu Masters.
Director and Seven Star Praying Mantis Coach of the Hong Kong Chin Woo Athletic Association, Consultant of the Guangzhou Chin Woo Athletic Association China, Director of the British Taijiquan and Shaolin Wushu Association, accredited Coach with the Hong Kong Coaching Committee, overseas consultant for the Singapore San Cheen Do Institute and is the Guardian of the German Seven Star Mantis Group.Sifu Lee continually strives to promote understanding of the Chinese Martial Arts and gives many demonstrations around the Hong Kong area and on television.
During a competition in America Sifu Lee gave a demonstration which prompted Master Wu Bin (the teacher of Jet Li) to ask “Sifu Lee how can you move so fast with so much power?”
On December 15, 2006 Master Lee celebrated his 60th birthday in Hong Kong.
Sixteen Disciples’ came to pay homage to their mentor namely Kwok Wing Ho (Hong Kong), Chan Sie Hung (Hong Kong), Derek Frearson (United Kingdom) Malcolm James Franklin (United Kingdom), Sergio Marzicchi (Italy) Pierluigi Barbieri (Italy), Brunke Bast (Germany) Nikolai Schild (Germany), Raul Ortis (United States), Brian Bateman (United States), Laszlo Kovacs (Hungary), Lam Chi Ming (Hong Kong), Yu Fu Keung (Hong Kong), Tung Fu (Hong Kong), Wang Kin Wai (Hong Kong), and Sin Ting Fung (Hong Kong).
The above disciples represent the first generation intake by Master Lee Kam Wing.
10 Grandmasters witnessed the ceremony includingMaster Kong Pu Wai (Hung Fung), Master Poon Sing (Choy Lay Fut), Master Cheng wan (Chu Ka Tang Lang), Master Lau Bill ( Choy Mok), Master Tung Kin Kwong (Dragon), Master Kwok Pui Kai (Mongolian Wrestling), Master Cheng Po Lam (Northern Shaolin Tay Tong Pak Kar), Master Lo Wai Keung (Lama Style), Master Yip Chi Keung (Chow Ka tang lang), and Master Leung Ting (Wing Tsun).
Master Lee has also organised many competitions in Hong Kong and in 2009 alone he was responsible for three major tournaments, in August he led and organised a visit to Beijing and the Shaolin Temple.
