Sifu Allan Lee began his Wing Chun journey in 1967, initially training under Sifu Lok Yiu and later becoming a private disciple of Grandmaster Ip Man. In 1974, with Ip Man’s blessing, he sought further instruction from Sifu Duncan Leung to complete his studies.
Grandmaster Ip Man was described as a traditional, well-educated, refined, and humble individual with unparalleled martial arts knowledge and exceptional Wing Chun skills. He had a unique ability to explain complex theories and concepts using simple analogies, making them easily understandable for his students. Ip Man encouraged diligent training and personal research, urging students to test teachings themselves rather than accept them at face value.
Upon arriving in the United States, Allan Lee noticed the popularity of Gung Fu, partly due to Bruce Lee’s legacy and his association with Wing Chun. Initially, Lee didn’t have his own school and, at Sifu Duncan’s request, began teaching as an assistant instructor at 3 Great Jones Street in Greenwich Village. Before establishing his own school, he focused on improving his English and researching appropriate terminology to convey Wing Chun’s philosophies. Sifu Duncan Leung played a significant role in enhancing Lee’s martial arts proficiency, particularly in applying Wing Chun techniques in real combat situations. Leung’s expertise in Long-Bridge fighting methods contributed to the foundation of what is now known as Applied Wing Chun.
Applied Wing Chun emphasizes not only understanding Wing Chun theories but also subjecting them to rigorous experimentation to validate their effectiveness. The curriculum includes training in both Short and Long-Bridge fighting, with a strong focus on Long-Bridge techniques and specialized training programs. It is designed to teach students theory, techniques, and fighting elements in a systematic, step-by-step manner.
Allan Lee acknowledges that while Sifu Lok Yiu emphasized Short-Bridge (close-range) fighting, his time with Grandmaster Ip Man was limited due to Ip Man’s advanced age, which prevented full demonstration of certain techniques. Ip Man advised Lee to seek someone like Sifu Duncan Leung to gain practical instruction in applying Wing Chun techniques, drills, and programs in real combat
This interview was originally published in Issue No. 12 of Wing Chun Illustrated, a magazine dedicated to Wing Chun, regardless of lineage or style.
Src:
https://www.wingchunillustrated.com/allan-lee-short-long-bridge-fighting/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIZe_9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHfVq5k4dQwNYf_NtijkcwDnr0TAj5h1pVNVy_LJ7km8Pcgi-b9KCEUiF9Q_aem_7UTWYIJuVR72lDQxiY4weA