History and Lineage
History
Master Tan Choo Seng is the founder and Chief Instructor of the Singapore registered Hua Tiong Pugilistic Art Institute in 1966. At 23 years old, Master Tan Choo Seng quickly established a reputation in the martial arts
circle with his famous Shaolin boxing style. Master Tan is well known for his Shaolin Yizhimei (http://www.sekkohsam.tk/
click on Yi zhi Mei on your left), Xiashanhu, Bailianquan, qimeigun and Xinu Luohanquan.
Born in 1943, Master Tan Choo Seng at the age of 13 studied Shaolin
martial arts from Grandmaster Venerable Shi Gao Can at Lotus hill Shuanglin Monastery, Singapore. Being the youngest and last batch of
students at Shuanglin Monastery, Grandmaster
Venerable Shi Gao Can
imparted numerous Shaolin martial arts to Master Tan. This includes Yizhimei,
Xiashanhu, Xinu Luohanquan, Bailianquan, Qimeigun, Qimen Baguaqiang, Qingna Longhuquan, Taiji Chuilishou, Tungong, Yijinjing, Meihuadao, Damojian, etc.
When Grandmaster Venerable Shi Gao Can passed away on 16 May
1960 at the age of
74. Master Tan did not stop learning martial arts with his
seniors at Shuanglin Monastery. Later on as a young Shaolin student, he had the opportunity to meet famous
martial arts masters from different schools and through interactions, able to
learn different styles like Xingyiquan, Baguaquan, Chaquan, Taiji and others.
At the age of
23 or six years after the deceased of Grandmaster Venerable Shi Gao Can, Master Tan founded the Singapore Hua
Tiong Pugilistic Art Institute, and continue to teach
and coach Shaolinquan and Hua Tiong martial arts to his students. In 1973,
within a short span of 7 years, Hua Tiong participated in the National Kuching Sparring Tournament and won 3 Golds,
1 Silver and 3 Bronze medals.
Since 1966, the Hua Tiong Pugilistic Art
Institute (Singapore/Malaysia) involved in many National events and raised
funds for the 
needy and old folks. By performing his famous Xingyiquan in 1976 and Bailianquan
in 1979, Master Tan single handedly raised more than RM20,000 in each event for schools in Johor,
Malaya. In 1978, Master Tan also raised S$16,000 for the Geylang
East Old Folks' Home, Singapore.
In 1967, Hua Tiong Johor
Bahru, Malayan branch was established and
subsequently went on to be the Head Office in Malaysia. Similarly in 1972, the Hua
Tiong Kota Tinggi and Tampei Malayan branches were set up. The last Hua Tiong Pontian, Malayan branch was set up in 1976. To date, Master Tan has more than a thousand disciples and students in Singapore, Malaysia and Southampton, UK.
One of Master Tan's most renowned disciple
was the late Sebastian Soh, Founder and Chief Instructor of Northern Shaolin
Quanfa or "Chuenfa". In 1966, the late Master Sebastian Soh trained under Master Tan Choo Seng when he was only 14 years old. He excelled
in Yizhimei, Xiashanhu, Luohanquan and Qimeigun. In 1973,
Master Sebastian Soh was awarded 6th Dan from the Japanese Karate-do (Kempo). When Master Sebastian Soh came back to Singapore, he was formally accepted by Master Tan as a senior disciple of Hua Tiong. Master Sebastian started the Northern Shaolinquan School or later known as the Northern Quanfa or "Chuenfa" in Singapore. Master Sebastian Soh was very popular among youths interested in
their kicks especially in the SAFRA Club House and YMCA Hostels. Master
Sebastian Soh passed away on 6Feb2004.
In 1984, Master Tan Choo Seng handed over the institute and branches to
the care of his disciples so he can focus on his construction business and
research studies on Shaolin martial arts. His areas
of research include Shaolinquan versus Taijiquan and Taijiquan versus
longevity. The result of his research work from 1985 to 1999 evolves the new Hua Tiong (Zhong) Yinyang Taijiquan.
Master Tan Choo Seng incorporated 5 key elements into the Yinyang Taijiquan. These are Xingyi,
Bagua and Shaolinquanfa; Shaolin Yijinjing Qigong; self-defense application; left and right
side practice and a smaller practice area of 2x3 meters. There are altogether 8
sets namely the entry level Gangrouyi Qigong, first 4 sets of mainly Yang-style and last
3 sets of Chen-style Taijiquan. Hence in 2004, the Hua Tiong (Zhong) Yinyang Taijiquan is established in Singapore and Malaysia.
Lineage
The late Zen
Master Venerable Shi Gao
Can, 48th generation 2nd Chamber of the South Shaolin tradition.
English http://www.shaolinwushu.ca/lineage.htm
Chinese http://www.oceanet.com.sg/~shaolin/singapore.htm
Master Tan Choo Seng, 49th generation 2nd
Chamber of the South Shaolin tradition. Founder and Chief Instructor of Hua Tiong (Zhong) Pugilistic
Art Institute, Singapore/Malaysia
50th
generation Hua Tiong (Zhong) Masters:
If you are
interested to enquire or join in any of the Hua Tiong (Zhong) training sessions,
kindly make contact with any of these Masters in their respective locations
(see organization and branches for contact address) or email to kongfw@yahoo.com
Singapore Johor Bahru(Mal) Pontian(Mal) Kota Tinggi(Mal)
Tan Hup Cheng Tan
Kok Ping Lim Kok Chee Tan Chor Sing
2nd
in-charge
Kong Fook Wai
