history of Choy Li Fut

Choy Li Fut was formulated in 1836 by Chan Heung, who learned martial arts from his uncle, a famous Shaolin Boxer. Chan Heung named his amalgamation of Kung-Fu styles after 2 of his teachers, Li Yau-San and Choy Fok. Fut means Buddha in Cantonese, and was incorporated to the name of his new style as an acknowledgement of his uncle and the Shaolin origins of the system.

Choy Lee Fut is known as a Southern style, the art has its beginnings in both Southern and Northern China. Since the system's founder had 3 teachers, 2 from the South and 1 from the North, Chan Heung decided to combine the teachings of all 3 masters into one system. Thus, Choy Li Fut is one of only a very few kung-fu styles that contains techniques from both Southern and Northern Chinese martial arts.

Choy Li Fut is a very effective form of self defence and contains a wide variety of techniques, including short and long range punches, kicks, sweeps and takedowns,  joint locks, lethal pressure point attacks and grappling. It also practices many of the traditional Kung Fu weapons.

Although rare outside of China, Choy Li Fut is still a very popular martial arts style in mainland China today.

The fundamental principles of Choy Li Fut  ( Choi Lee Fut )