History

Shang De (尚德)

“Shang De” in Chinese means “the highest virtues” – a code of conduct for all beings in our daily lives. We firmly believe that one must master the virtues of obligation, integrity, loyalty, trust, respect, benevolence, peace and harmony before mastering the art of kung fu. Our association is a non-profit society committed to teaching traditional Chinese kung fu and tai chi. All instructors teach openly to all who want to learn these arts.

(1900-1991)

Sigung Chiu Chuk Kai (趙竹溪)

Born in Shandong, China, sigung lived and trained Northern Shaolin kung fu before entering the Tai Chi Praying Mantis kung fu system under Sitaigung Chi Sow Jun (遲守進).

As one of the “Ten Tigers from the North”, Sigung built his reputation as one of the best Chinese martial artists in those turbulent times of life and death combat. His students numbered in the tens of thousands from schools in Guangzhou, Macau, Vietnam and Hong Kong.

(1944-2016)

Sifu Tom Ng (吳大民)

Sifu Tom Ng was interested in the martial arts from an early age and learned various fighting styles in his hometown of Hong Kong, all the while hoping to meet a great master. His search ended when he met Sigung Chiu Chuk Kai. He lived with Sigung for three years and trained intensively day and night, focusing primarily on Tai Chi Praying Mantis fighting techniques and qigong. Sifu Tom became Chiu Chuk Kai’s sixth graduate disciple and an 8th-generation disciple of the Tai Chi Praying Mantis kung fu system.

Sifu Tom moved to Canada in 1972 to teach as head instructor at the Canadian Ging Wu Kung-Fu Club in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He established the Shang De Tai Chi Praying Mantis Martial Arts Association in 1998 with two of his disciples: Sifu Benedict Ma and Sifu Bill Gee.