Sixty-nine years ago, Duncan Leung Shiu-hung, who was only 13 years old, was introduced by his friend Bruce Lee to Ip Man, a Wing Chun master, and became his first privately-taught disciple.
Sixty-nine years later, on June 17, 2024, Duncan accepted a disciple at his ancestral home for the first time in his hometown Chongkou Village, Zhongshan. Christof Blatter from Switzerland officially became his diciple.
"I have been waiting for this day for more than 30 years," says Christof excitedly.
The 48-year-old Swiss man is a telecommunications engineer and a part-time driving instructor. He has been studying Wing Chun from Duncan for almost 31 years.
Christof says he is not only obsessed by Chinese kung fu itself, but also by Duncun's personal charisma. Through learning from Duncan, he is also able to gain an in-depth understanding of various aspects of Chinese culture.
▲A traditional apprenticeship ceremony takes place at Duncan Leung's ancestral home.
▲After the ceremony, Christof's fellow apprentices hug him for congratulations.
▲Christof exchanges feelings on the training with his fellow apprentices.
▲Christof is recording the training.
▲At the ancestral hall in Chongkou Village, the apprentices listen to Duncan's remarks on the training. (Photo/Ming Jian)