contributors: Troy Roy, Bret Bumgarner, Edward Cha, Johnny Kuo, and compiled by Matt Stampe

Welcome to the Hall of Fame. This is an incomplete list of Internal and Chinese San Shou martial artists who have gone out and competed full contact in Lei Tai and San Shou fight events. I am always open to suggestions, additions, better write-ups, and feedback for this webpage. Please contact me if you know some fighters. Verify their fight record, pictures, videos, etc.

2012 future additions:

Quan Yu- was a palace guard and learned from Yang family.

Wu Chien Chuan: Quan Yu's Son who taught in Beijing and Shanghai.

Ma Yue Liang- we know him as a push hands master with extraordinary skill.

Hao Wei Zheng- Hao style founder who fought

Liang Zhen Pu- Bagua master

Li Zi Ming- Bagua master

Chen Panling: helped with setting up Lei Tai events in China and Taiwan.

Dong Yingjie: he did created 2 fast forms, one based on Yang Chen Fu's fighting techniques and hand an interest in fighting ability.

Historical Masters of IMA

HISTORICAL MASTERS of IMA (Internal Martial Arts).

Yang Luchan (1799-1872) and Yang family - Yang's Tai Chi founder- Yang Luchan had learned Shaolin Hong Chuan "Red Boxing" in his early days. After hearing of Taijiquan in Chen village he became a servant to Chen Family and got to learn for as long as 18 years. He was also reported to have learned later in life some Taoist Tai Chi. He took challengers in Beijing becoming famous as "Yang the Unsurpassed". His martial art became know as Yang's Tai Chi. He was a palace guard instructor for the Royal family. His sons Yang Banhou, Yang Jianhou, and grandsons Yang Shaohao and Yang Chengfu were known to have used Yang's Tai Chi in Lei Tai fight competitions and challenges.

    Yang Lu Chan            Yang Ban Hou            Yang Jian Hou                    Yang Shao Hao 

        Yang Cheng fu      Zhang Qinlin         Fu Zhongwen           Zheng Manqing

Zhang Qinlin (early 1900s) - Tai Chi master who was a disciple of Yang Chien Hou known to have accepted several challenges for the Yang family.

Fu Zhong Wen (1900-1994) Tai Chi master who was known to have accepted challenges for Yang Chen Fu in Southern China. He later became authority of Yang school in China and founder of the International Yongnian Taijiquan Association.

FuZhong Wen Demonstrates "Fa Jin"

Zheng Manqing (Cheng Man Ching) was known to have taken several challenges, though I had only heard of a few where he had defeated people, I had equally heard he lost some as well. All-in-all he was a true teacher and a man of 5 excellence (medicine, poetry, art, calligraphy and martial arts).

Cheng Man-Ching: Push hands in Taiwan

Dong Hai Chien         Cheng Ting Hua         Yin Fu                          Gao Yi Sheng       Fu Zhen Song

       Li Cun Yi        Chang Chao Dong         Sun Lu Tang         Gu Ruzhang

Dong Hai Chuan (1797-1802) - Became famous as a Palace guard trainer in Beijing's Royal Palace. He taught Baguazhang to the palace guards there and left a Baguazhang legacy.

Guo Yun Shen (1829 - 1898) also known as "the divine crushing fist"- famous for his Beng chuan to knock out a man.

Cheng Ting Hua (1848-1900) - died fighting in the Boxer Rebellion using Bagua known to have killed many German soliders. His Bagua was influenced by Shaui Chiao throws and is known as "Cheng's Bagua".

Yin Fu (1840-1909) - Student of Dong Hai Chuan and body guard to Empresses Dowager, taught many students Bagua and became "Yin's bagua".

Gao Yi Sheng (1866-1951) - student from the line of Cheng Ting Hua, who was known to have killed a man in a challenge.

Li Ruidong (1851-1917) - Tan Tuei and Fanzi martial artist who learned Tai Chi from Yang Lu Chan and later became part of the Royal Palace body guard instructors.He was know to accept challengers.

Sun Lutang (1862-1933 )- earliest master to begin writing on Hsingyi, Pakuachang, and Taijiquan, was know to have fought several Japanese masters.

Fu Zhen Song (1881-1953) - one of the 5 'Northern Tigers' of China to teach in Southern China. Was known to have fought a gang of bandits and killing their leader. Taught in Southern China and took many challengers.

Wang Xiangzhai (1885-1963) - Yiquan (Mind-boxing) founder- mixed Guo Yun Shen's Hsingyi, Shaolin, Boxing, Pakua and Tai chi into his own style. Yiquan fighters from Wang Xiangzhai's disciples are currently some of the top MMA and Sanda fighters in Mainland China.

Chen Fake (1887 - 1957)- was known to test his Taijiquan against wrestlers and strong men in various competitions to show Taijiquan's ability.

Li Cun Yi (1847 - 1921)- Hsingyi and Bagua master who formed a Body guard agency. He fought in the boxer rebellion.

Che Yi Zhai (yyyy-yyyy)- Early Hsingyiquan pioneer in foundation and spreading of Hsingyiquan as a fighting martial art.

Li Fu Zhen (yyyy- yyyy)- #2 along with Che Yi Zhai in forming Hsingyi schools.

Wu Meng Xia (1905-1979)- he had a fiery temper and like to challenge others. He was a Bagua and Xingyi student under Han Muxia and was a senior student of Gao Yisheng. He learned Yang Taiji from Nui Lian Yuan, a student of Yang Banhou.

Chang Chao Dong (1859 - 1940)- was known to beat up bullies and bandits using Hsingyi.

Ma Weiqi (1851 - 1886)- Bagua master who had a fiery temper and liked to challenge people.
 

Li Jinglin (1885-1932)was a Chinese General who popularized Wudang Sword and helped organize Lei tai fight tournaments in China in 1920's. As a military man he coordinated several army attacks in troubled times.

Zhang Xiangwu- his reputation in the northeast for killing drug dealers, he was a terrifying figure. He's also the one who introduced Li Jingling to his Kunwu sword teacher, Song Weiyi. Aside from being a wartime general, Baji and Taiji master, he was also the vice-dean of the entire Nanjing academy.

                 Gu Ruzhang               Wan Laisheng                      Wang Xiangzhai           Chen Fake

               Li  Ruidong                       Wu Kung Yi                       Li Jin Lin                     Lu Shuai Tien

Gu Ruzhang (1893-1952) - one of the other 'Northern Tigers' to teach in Southern China. Was a military instructor and fought in the Nanking tournament in 1932. He was known to compete with Russians and once used his Iron Palm technique to kill a horse.

Lu Song'gao (1875-1962) was the first one to popularize the art and teach it to non-Moslems. Lu killed a man in a fight in his hometown, Zhoukou, and had to flee. He first went to Wuhan where he met Tie family (Mai Zhuangtu's adopted daughter was married to Tie Bing), then to Anhui Province, where he stayed for some time with his gongfu brother Song Guobin. Finally Lu moved and settled down in Shanghai, where he defeated many famous martial artists. Later, along with more Moslem Xinyi Liuhe experts coming to the city, Shanghai became new center of the art.

Lu Shuai Tien (1894-1978) - WWII Shangtung Province rebel guerrilla to have killed Japanese occupying soldiers using Baguazhang. He escaped capture to Korea and taught in Inchon's Chinatown.

Wu Kung Yi (1900-1970) - Wu Tai chi master that at age 54, he answered to a challenge and fought on film for charity, vs. a White Crane Kung fu man.

Macau fight with Wu Kung Yi

Wan Laisheng (1903-1995)- Natural Boxing School one of the other 'Northern Tigers' to teach in Southern China. He won several competitions including the Five Provinces North China Tournament in 1928, and he also captured First in the First Nanjing Wushu Arena Contest, a well publicized event.

     Wu Meng Xia                          Zhang Jun Feng               Robert Smith and Wang Shu Jin               Hong Yi Hsiang

       Chang Tung Sheng              Huang Sheng Shyan          Hsu Hong Ji

Chang Tung Sheng (1908-1986)- Shuai Chiao master who incorporated Tai Chi, Bagua, and hsingyi with his base style of Shuai Chiao. Master Chang demo

Chang Demo Shuai Chiao throws:

Huang Sheng Shyan (1910-1992) vs wrestler Tai Chi master from Malaysia who was known to have demonstrated Tai Chi vs Strong men and Wrestlers. Developed a high level ability in Tai Chi as a White Crane master.

Huang Sheng Shyan vs. Wrestler

Zhang Jun Feng (1902-1974)- Zhang Jun Feng taught Hsingyi, Bagua, and Tai Chi on the Island of Taiwan and had several students become great fighters, mainly Hong Yixiang, Hong Yiwen, and Hong Yimian. Zhang Jun Feng teaching vid

Zhang Junfeng (1902-1974) video from Dr. Ken Fish

                     

                  Wang Peishang         Kuo Lien Ying                 Liu Yunqiao              Hong Junsheng

Wang Peishan (1919-2004)g- was known for teaching Wu style Tai Chi in Beijing, but also learned many martial arts starting at a young age and took on several challenges during his lifetime to prove martial ability.

Liu Yunqiao (1909-1992)- tai zu quan, mi zong yi, bajiquan/pigua zhang, bagua zhang, and liuhe tanglang quan. He was Li Shu Wen's last disciple and spent over 10 years with him. Although his forte was bajiquan, he also was a disciple of Gong Bao Tian and Ding ZiCheng and had an indpeth knowledge of taijiquan which he obtained from his older Gongfu brother, Zhang Xiang Wu. Liu served in the Guomindang military and also Dai Li. After retiring from the military at the rank of colonel, he taught many bodyguards, military and public students throughout Taiwan.

Xue Dian (yyyy-yyyy)g- was known for teaching Xingyiquan in Tianjin in 1920's and on, he learned martial arts starting at a young age and took on several challenges.

Kuo Lien Ying (1895-1985)- Guang Ping Taiji master, there are many stories of Kou accepting and issuing challenges. Kuo Lien Ying challenged Cheng Man Ching and was known to have thrown Bruce Lee out of his school in San Francisco. Security guard for some company in China/Inner Mongolia. He also reportedly challenged Joe Louis the boxing champ when he was in Taiwan. Louis never responded.

Hong Junsheng (1907-1996)-Chen Sytle Taijiquan master who successfully used Chen Taiji is several confrontations and challenges. He was known to also challenge a few famous teachers using Tui Shou or 'push hands'.

Other Historical Masters Non-Internal

Other Historical Masters Non-Internal

  Hou  Yuan Jia                 Wong Fei Hung                  Yim Wing Chun            Yip Man                    Bruce Lee   

Huo Yuan Jia (1869-1910) - Jing Wu schools legendary founder who was known to fight on the Lei Tai platform and was very famous. He was said to have been poisoned by an enemy.

Wong Fei Hung (1847-1924)famous Hung boxing master known to have fought many challengers, also a famous doctorof chinese medicine.

Yim Wing Chun- legendary founder of Wing Chun.

Yip Man (1893-1972)-Legendary teacher of many Wing Chun fighters in Hong Kong including the famous Bruce Lee. Yip Man's students also include his:

Yip Chung and Yip Ching, : Yip Man's sons carrying on the art Hong Kong China.

Lo Man Kam nephew in Taiwan, police special forces teacher.

Other Yip Man disciples:

Leung Ting, - in Europe

William Cheng, - Australia

Duncan Leung, - USA- Virginia

Moy Yat, New York city.

Bruce Lee (1940-1973)- Hollywood actor more famous as a Wing Chun man, but learned Wu Tai Chi from father in Hong Kong and later incorporated water philosophy in his Jeet Kun Do. Bruce Lee is considered one of the Fathers of modern  MMA.

Wang Ziping- famous Chinese Muslim martial artist and strong man. He was a teacher of Chaquan, Huaquan, Tan tui, Ba Ji, Taijiquan and other martial arts. His daughter is Wang Ju Rong who married his student and TCM doctor, Dr. Chengde Wu.

Madame Wang Jurong and Dr. Chengde Wu- daughter of Wang Ziping having an important role in the development of Wushu culture in Mainland China and USA, she was a top scholar and Judge of Longfist, and Taijiquan in China and Pan-America. Influential in the development of competitions in the USA: some of her influential students have been Coach Weiqi He, Coach Zhou Jianhua, Coach Jeff Bolt, Coach Nick Gracenin, Coach Pat Rice (A Taste of China All Taijiquan Championships director) and survived by daughters who now teach: Helen Wu, Lucy Wu, and Grace Wu.

Shauwn Liu is also important figure from Mainland China who studied both Shaolin, Wushu,  Taijiquan, and was former US director of San Shou in the United States. He has fought San Shou in Mainland China.

IMA in Military, Law Enforcement, Security

IMA in Military, Law Enforcement, Security

Yeuh Fei- General who taught his troops, BaDuan Jin, Eagle Claw Pressure point fighting and Hsingyiquan.

Sun Tzu- author of the "Art of War."

General Li Jin Lin- General who was a pivotal in the development of the Central Goushu Academy in Nanjing in late 1920's.

General Zhang Zuo-Lin- another General pivotal in the development of the Goushu Central Academy.

Lo Man Kam nephew in Taiwan, police special forces teacher.

Wang Yen Nian- Yangjia Michaun Taiji instructor was in National Army that escaped to Taiwan R.O.C.

Wang Jyue Jen- solider with Chang Kai Shek's National Army, brought "Tien Shan Pai" abroad.

Sifu Clarence Burris- security and investigation services.

Nick Masi- Krav Maga instructor, Shuai Chiao Champion.

Dr. John Painter- Baguazhang  Instructor with a background with Law Enforcement training for the Texas Ranger Police force.

Steve Rowe- Bouncer who trains in Tai Chi and Karate.

Living Teachers and Students

Living Teachers and Students

      Cai Longyun             Ma Xianda                    Li Tai Liang               Park Bok Nam    Tiffany Chen and William CC Chen

                   
Max Chen and William CC  Chen               Ben Lo                          Liang Shouyu
 

Cai Longyun- WWII era fighter. Practiced Longfist and Taijiquan. Currently holds 9th Duan Grandmaster. He fought and defeated Russian and American boxers in 1940s.He known as the 'Dragon' since his name 'Long' means Dragon. Zhou Jianhua is one of only two students to get a Masters Degree in Mainland China from Cai Longyun. Zhou teaches Wushu and San Shou in Richmond Virginia.

Ma Chuanxu- baguazhang practitioner, many years of real-life service with the Beijing Public Security Bureau, never using a weapon.

Ma Xianda- baji, pigua, fanzi, etc. - 1952 won Leitai championship in China, 1953 won some kind of short weapon championship)

Liang Shouyu- Master Liang Shouyu is a Shuaijiao master and well versed in all aspects of IMA from Taijiquan to Baguazhang and Xingyiquan in which he wrote several books teaching applications. He was voted in Mainland China as one of the top 20 coaches in late 80's early 90's. He competed in events and was a Champion in Shuaijiao and Weight lifting in his youth.

Li Tai Liang- is a disciple of Hsingyi and Pakua masters in china. he is part of the organization that assembles Sanda fight competitions in Mainland China. When he arrived in NYC he organized similar fight events in New York.





Park Bok Nam- Park's teacher Lu Shuai Tien made Park use his Pakua in fights with other Kung Fu schools to test his ability. Park taught Glen Wright who fought full contact in Taiwan using Pakua. Park's student Benson Flagg fought in Lei Tai in Taiwan using Pa-Kua in the 80's video here.

Park Bok Nam Demonstrates his Pakua chang

Robert W. Smith- though he studied Tai Chi with Cheng Man Ching and a few others on Taiwan, he was more known for using Judo in competitions and boxing at one point.

Robert Smith on Tai Chi with Cheng Man Ching:

William CC Chen, Tiffany Chen and Max Chen Master William Chen competed in Full Contact fighting event in Taiwan in the early 1950s. As a student of Cheng Man-Ching, he demonstrated Tai Chi as a combat art. His daughter Tiffany Chen and son Max Chen have both been members of the US Lei Tai and US San Shou team and competed Nationally and Internationally.

Max Chen highlight reel

Ben Lo- had been challenged a few times while in Taiwan and was known to have used Tai Chi in a fight or two.

Lenzie Williams is a disciple of Ben Lo and competed in early 1990's in the "A Taste of China All-Taijiquan Championships." Lenzie was forms and push hands National Champion for several years.

Dr. David Walls-Kaufman is a disciple of Ben Lo who has competed in many push hands events Nationally and Internationally.

   Dr. Ken Fish           Dr. Vince Black          Shifu Mike Patterson        Su Dong Cheng          

              Luo De Xiu                         Tim Cartmell                Dr. Tom Bisio         

Dr. Ken Fish- Dr. Fish's earliest training was in NYC, having learned Futsao Wing Chun under Henry Leung . Dr Fish moved to Taiwan at age 14, where he studied XIngyi from Master Zhang Junfeng. In the early 1980's he learned Tongbeiquan and Cotton Boxing from Mrs. Zhu Suyi, an associate of Master Ch'en Panling, as well as Lohan system Shaolin from Master Hu Jiemin (one of President Chiang Kaishek's close bodyguards). Ken also trained in Boxing and was a Golden Gloves competitor.

Dr. Vince Black- In 1980, while in Taiwan to train with Hsu Hong Ji, he won the Super Heavyweight Division of the Cheng Chung Cup Invitational Full Contact Tournament.

Shifu Mike Patterson: Mike Patterson was the Taiwan National Champion for a couple of years back in the 70s under Hsu Hong Chi and student of Hung Yi Hsiang. He taught fighters how to use Hsingyi and Pakua in Lei Tai combat. Several of his fighters won in their divisions and became on the US team. He kept a team of Men and Women that dominated Lei Tai competitions for many year is mid-90s to early 2000. Alex Shpigel, Mario Mancini. Bob Reynolds, Steve Cotter were some of them. Video- Hsingyi Team

Mike Patterson's Champion Team

Su Dong Cheng- was one of Hung Yi Hsiang's tournament fighters in Taiwan,

Luo De Xiu- Hung Yi Hsiang's student, competed in national fighting events in Taiwan. He is a world renowned master of Neijia: Taiji, Bagua, and Xingyi.

Tim Cartmell- trained with Luo De Xiu. In 1986 he won the middleweight division of the All Taiwan Invitational Full Contact Tournament, and then won the middleweight division of the Chung Cheng International Full Contact Tournament later that same year.

Tim Cartmell sample clip

Wong Jack man                           Peter Ralston                    Dan Docherty                              John Wang 

             Nigel Sutton                    C.K. Chu                Daniel Lee

Wong Jack Man- taught Internal martial arts in San Francisco Bay area. Taught a San Shou team to National level, was known to have fought Bruce Lee.

EBM Kung Fu- Brent Hamby (Oakland San Shou) EBM in Oakland California has a pretty tough squad of fighters that train in both Internal martial arts and San shou. Team consists of Brent Hamby, Adam Caldwell, Brian Madign, Russ Middleton, and more. they carry on tradition of Wong Jack Man,

Peter Ralston- was a long-time student of Wong Jackman and also studied Tai Chi with William C.C. Chen in NY. In fact it was while he was training at Chen's school that he saw the poster for the (at the time, upcoming) 1978 World Full-Contact Fighting Championship in Taiwan and decided to compete. He went on to win the tournament, becoming the first non-Asian ever to do so.

Dan Docherty- Wutang TaiChi Style teacher in the UK who learned in Hong Kong, fought and won in a full contact events in Asia in late 1970s early 1980s.

John Wang- is a student of Chang Tung Sheng and competed and won in many Shaui Chiao competitons in China and USA. He is very good resource on techniques of combat for Shuai Chiao, Long fist, and Tai Chi.

David C.K. Lin and Combat Shuai Chiao- is a student of Chang Tung Sheng and competed and won in many Shaui Chiao competitons in China and USA.The Combat Shuai Chiao association also included Victor Ke, John Wang , and Brian Wu.

Dr. Daniel Weng- is a student of Chang Tung Sheng and competed and won in many Shaui Chiao competitions in China and USA. He has produced National and International wrestlers.

Nick Masi is a International and National Shuai Chiao champion and Krav Maga instructor. Student of Dr. Daniel Weng.

Christopher Pei- is a Yang Taijiquan Coach having studied under C.C. Liu in DC's Chinatown, with Fu Zhong Wen, Yang Zhen Dou and Yang Zhen Ji. He has also fought in his younger days in tournaments. He currently coaches San shou fighters who have competed in Lei Tai. His fighters include: Chris Chai, Adam, Marty, Alan, Sean.

Bruce Frantzis- studied in Taiwan, Japan, and Mainland China with many reputable masters and competed in tournaments.

Nigel Sutton- Trained in Southeast Asia- Tai Chi, Silat, Escrima.

Daniel Lee- Bruce Lee's student and golden gloves boxer in Shanghai, learned Tai Chi from Tung family.

C.K. Chu Sifu C.K. Chu a Tai Chi teacher in NYC has also produced several combat athletes who have had success in Lei Tai full contact events. One of his students 'John Signoriello' became USKSF 2006 "fighter of the year". Another student Hyland fought as well.

  Sam Masich                        Clarence Burris III                      

Sam Masich-Sam has a long list of contributions to IMA as a disciple of Liang Shouyu and Yang Jwing Ming. He competed and has been grand champion in many IMA competitions and co-authored many of the Taijiquan, Baguazhang, and Xingyiquan videos and books with Master Liang Shouyu and has been on the receiving end of many masters demonstrations.Sam Masich fighting in tournament

Clarence Burris III- Sifu Clarence teaches Tien Shan Pai and Tai Chi in Northern Virginia.  He is 1992 NASKA Virginia State Heavy Weight Champion, and in 1993 Selected  U. S. full contact Sanshou Team, World Championships in Malaysia.

Gurjok K. Singh- Teaches fighters a combination of Tai Chi pugilism, Boxing, and Muay Thai. His Tai Chi teacher is Dr. Gary Stier OMD. Mr.Singh is a Retired Army Ranger and owner of Angels Gym that trains regional and state, mens and women, kickboxing, Muay Thai, wrestling and Grappling IKF and NAGA champions. He is also a book author, "The Art of Western Tai Chi".Angel's gym Youtube

Loretta Wollering hosts several Tai Chi events including the Tai Chi Gala and the Chang San Feng festival. She competed in Lei Tai in 2007 having trained with Dr. Gary Torres and with 5X Lei Tai Champion Patrick Brady.

Wilson Pitts   influenced by Boxing,  Robert W. Smith, and  TCM with Dr. Amy Tseng in Richmond Virginia, he emphasized combat usage in Neijia arts of Tai Chi, Bagua, and Hsingyi. He trained several fighters including acupuncturist Celeste Wray and Jamar, for Lei Tai and San Shou using boxing principles and study from his experience at Joe Fraiser's Cloverlay Gym in North Philly in the 1970's. Wilson Pitts Boxing Blog Wilson also teaches in New York city and collaborates with Internal arts, Capoeria, and martial artist:

 Roberto Sharpe.

Wilson Pitts training Lei Tai fighter Celeste Wray:

Roberto Sharpe