Grand Master Cheng Tin Hung
1931-2005
It was with great sadness and with a sense of loss, to learn of the
death of Master Cheng Tin Hung. I first met him and started training
with him in 1971. It wouldn't be too much to say, that meeting him
changed my life. It was fortunate indeed that I was pointed in his
direction. His Tai Chi was always of a practical nature, wanting the
art to be seen as an effective martial art. In this he succeeded not
only through his own fighting ability but also in training many
excellent martial artists. It would be wrong however, to see him only
in this light, as he possessed a very deep knowledge of all of the
aspects of Tai Chi Chuan. He was responsible for producing teachers
for the Hong Kong government's program of Tai Chi in the various parks
around Hong Kong.
I enjoyed a straightforward relationship with him. He showed great kindness and consideration to my wife and son while we were there. Including them in any function or celebration that was going on. In the two and a half years with him I went to the gym sometimes as often as 4 to 5 times a week, and enjoyed every minute. It was a very important time in my life, perhaps I didn't realise just how important at the time.
It was also a privilege to have him visit and give various seminars both in Scotland and England. Anyone that attended these seminars will remember a great teacher and also a great personality, with a wonderful sense of humour. His laugh was infectious and when he told a story it was always the big picture full of colour.
One anecdote that shows the unpredictable side of his nature. He used to keep a Cayman in a small pool under the stairs that were situated on the rooftop gym. One evening a student put his finger through the wire mesh. The obvious happened, he was bitten by the Cayman. Loosing his temper he opened the mesh gate grabbed the Cayman and threw it into Argyle Street from ten storeys up. Thinking that Sifu would lose his temper and no one wanted to see that, as it could be ferocious, it was with great caution that he was informed of the incident. To everyone's surprise and relief he asked his wife to put on the rice cooker and oven, telling someone to go and collect the poor Caymen from the street, as a result everyone was treated to a fine meal that night.
Although it was difficult to maintain contact over the last few years, I was always loyal to him. The Tai Chi world has lost a wonderful teacher, one that will be missed. Cheng Tin Hung taught a complete system of Tai Chi Chuan. Which, over the years I have become more and more grateful for.
Personally I have an awful lot to be thankful for, and will be eternally grateful for the time spent with him and for everything that he taught.
Ian Cameron
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