Fact File

Name: Kok Yeng, Chow
Age: 54
Hometown: Ipoh, Perak
Profession: Martial arts master
Education: St Michael's Institution, Vocational School (draughtmanship training), Ipoh
Current base: Zurich, Switzerland
Years abroad: 34

In 1971, at the age of 20, Kok Yeng, Chow made a drastic decision to leave his "dead-end job" as a mechanic for Switzerland. His savings were a meagre RM400, yet he wanted to "have fun and see the world for a few years". But then, he fell in love with Switzerland and decided to stay on. It has been 34 years and he has since made Zurich his home.

However, he has not forgotten his Malaysian roots and returns every few years to look up his friends and kin.

"I needed RM3,000 for the trip but I just couldn't wait anymore. My friend and I travelled up to Penang and boarded a ship to Madras. After a month, we reached Switzerland," reminisced Chow, the eldest of three siblings.

"I never intended to stay, start a family or settle there," said Chow, who has a son, Chow Yeng, 25, a graduate in economics from University of Zurich. Chow also taught his son martial arts.

In the early years, Chow worked as a dishwasher when he first arrived in Switzerland. Life was tough as he worked nine hours daily, washing plates and helping with kitchen chores such as preparing salads, cutting meats and frying potato chips.

After 10 months, he decided to go to Stockholm in Sweden. There, he found another job as a dishwasher.

After a year, he decided to return to Switzerland which had captured his heart. He had to learn how to adapt to a different culture and lifestyle. Language was a problem as he did not speak a word of Swiss-German then. But he took up foreign languages and overcame the obstacles.

In an interview at the Chin Woo Association in Kuala Lumpur recently, Chow proudly showed off his two Swiss martial arts students – Sami Ben Mahmoud and Mauro Stettler, who are in their 20s. The two were part of a small group of martial arts students whom he brought from Switzerland to Malaysia. Sami was the martial arts champion in Switzerland five times.

Chow explained: "The purpose of the trip was to expose my martial arts students to the atmosphere of Chin Woo martial arts."

Chin Woo martial arts is a combination of kung fu styles of North Shaolin, Choy Li-Fatt, Weng Chun, Wushu, Taiqi and Qigong.

Chin Woo which means "training with spirit" originated from Shanghai, China. It was founded by Fok Yuen Kap from Tianjin, China.

And what better place than the Chin Woo associations in Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur? In all, Malaysia has 13 Chin Woo martial arts schools.

As a young lad of seven, Chow loved martial arts and trained in Ipoh Chin Woo Association. He was also fascinated by kung fu as his parents regaled him with tales of the tradition of martial arts in China and the Chin Woo Association as well as martial arts heroes such as Huo Yuen Yar (the founder of Chin Woo Association), Wong Fei Hung and Fong Sai Yuk.

His father took him to martial arts movies featuring Kwan Tak Hing as Wong Fei Hung. At home, the young lad pretended that he was Wong Fei Hung.

Over the years, Chow honed his skills in martial arts while working as a dishwasher and later, as a draughtsman in Switzerland.

By the end of 1974, he had seven Swiss friends who became his martial arts students. Subsequently, he held demonstrations in public areas and martial arts meets to recruit more students.

And as he got more Western youths interested in martial arts, Chow was able to make a career out of it.

At the end of 1978, Chow quit his job as a draughtsman after four years to immerse himself fully in martial arts.

Other than self-defence classes, Chow also teaches lion and dragon dances. Chow believes that every martial arts school should at least have a lion dance troupe.

Today, Chow has established 12 martial art branches with more than 1,500 students (ranging from five to 60 years old) in Switzerland after 15 years of hard work. He is also the president of Chin Woo kung fu of the Swiss Federation of Chin Woo Association in Switzerland.

Chow recalled that he was quite a rebel during martial arts classes as he tried to be creative. His master, Canton-born Chan Yew Meng (who passed away in 1997), was a very understanding and patient teacher. He saw Chow's talents and nurtured him by giving him opportunities to perform. By 17, Chow was able to perform both lion and dragon dances.

What are the benefits of taking up martial arts?

"Martial arts is good for the body as it promotes longevity and improves blood circulation. It makes a person more agile and disciplined. Also, one does not worry so much," said Chow, who looked much younger than his age.

After a quick change into his kung fu outfit, Chow gave a brief demonstration with a few selected martial arts weapons. He guided his students, Sami and Stettler, and orchestrated different styles to show various defence techniques involving sticks and spears.

Martial arts is quite unlike other sports. According to Chow, one can create one's own form, style and moves.

Both the young and old can learn martial arts, said Chow, adding that for senior citizens, a bit of restraint is necessary.

"The young ones take on more challenging tasks such as jumping, splitting and high kicks. These moves are unsuitable for seniors who are beginners. For them, the emphasis is on hand movements and defensive techniques," said Chow.

Kok Yeng, Chow is scheduled to be back in Kuala Lumpur in early December to perform a kung fu show with his students.

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