The Chin Woo (Athletic) Association was founded by Grandmaster Huo Yuanjia (1868 – 1910).
Towards the end of the 19th Century, many foreigners were in China, and some referred to the Chinese as the “Sick Men of Asia.” Master Huo believed that “in order to strengthen the country, you must first strengthen the people”, and established the Chin Woo School to allow all Chinese the opportunity to learn Chinese kungfu.
Famously in 1909, a European wrestler was sent to Shanghai to challenge any Chinese that would accept. Master Huo accepted the challenge and emerged victorious. This incident escalated Master Huo’s reputation to that of a national hero.
Master Huo died from suspected arsenic poisoning on 9th August 1910. After the death of Master Huo, Chin Woo was reorganised to make it available to other parts of China and Asia. In 1920, Shanghai Chin Woo sent representatives to Southeast Asia. They opened the first Chin Woo School in Saigon, Vietnam, and later in parts of Malaysia and Singapore. To prove their skills, they were often required to give demonstrations or accept challenges. By 1923, these five Chin Woo Masters had opened Chin Woo schools all over Southeast Asia and visited nine different countries.
Currently, Chin Woo is one of the largest martial arts organisations in the world with branches in Argentina, Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, USA and Vietnam.
The stories of Huo Yuanjia and Chin Woo have been fictionalised in many popular movies, including Bruce Lee’s “Fist of Fury” and Jet Li’s “Fist of Legend” and “Fearless”.
The Chin Woo wushu forms or routines, are primarily a “Northern” style. The main difference between northern and southern styles of wushu, is that the northern styles tend to emphasise fast and powerful kicks, high jumps and generally fluid and rapid movement, while the southern styles focus more on strong arm and hand techniques, and stable, immovable stances and fast footwork. Chin Woo weapon forms include spears, cudgels, straight swords, and single and double broadswords, to name but a few.
"Fearless The Story of Chin Woo Kung Fu" by Glen Stanway, available in paperback, illustrated with over 100 photos, and text-only on Kindle.