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Sponsored by Gaam Sing Association Inc.

About Luo Kwang Yu

Born in the Shandong Province in 1888, Sifu Luo Kwang Yu began his training under Sifu Fan Xu Dong around 1908.

Sifu Luo Guang Yu was his the fourth disciple.

In 1919, Luo Kwang Yu began teaching at the Jing Wu Sports Association where he came into high regard. That same year he won the Grand Championship in a fighting competition held in Shanghai. He taught at the the Shang Hai Jing Wu Association for ten years, training many including Sifu Ma Cheng Xin who won a noted fighting price in 1929 in Nanjing.

In 1932, Sifu Luo Kwang Yu arrived in Hong Kong and teach and became the first person ever to bring Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung fu to other parts of China outside the Shan Dong Province.

Sifu Luo Kwang Yu's favorite form was Tang Lang Tou Tao (Praying Mantis Steals the Peach). He was also known for his ability with iron palm. It is not widely known that Sifu Luo Kwang Yu was partially crippled in one leg and he did not favor low stances.

Sifu Luo Kwang Yu is arguably the most well known master in the Qi Xing Tang Lang history, the major reason he is so famous is because of his role in the Jing Wu association and his role in the dissemination of the style to the rest of the world. He was appointed as Chief Instructor of the Executive Committee of the Man Keung Athletic Association set up by his students in Hong Kong. In 1944, Sifu Luo Kwang Yu, during his return trip to China, became ill and passed away being 56 years old.

About Gaam Sing Association Inc.

Under the leadership of Sifu Othal Thomas, Gaam Sing Association is dedicated to promoting and teaching traditional Seven Star Praying Mantis kung fu in the Washington DC Metro Area. Seven Star Praying Mantis is a style of kung fu incorporating the movements of 18 styles of Chinese martial arts. Its origins lie in Shandong province in northern China, and it has a history that spans over three centuries. Through training in kung fu drills, forms practice, and sparring, students at Gaam Sing Kwoon can improve their fitness and learn valuable self-defense methods.

We invite you to come join us in this unique martial tradition!

About Sifu Othal H. Thomas II

Sifu Thomas, a 30-year master of kung fu, started practicing martial arts in high school. He began his formal training after he moved to New York to attend the School of Visual Arts. He initially studied Fu Jow Pai before seeing an advertisement in the Village Voice for "Fu Kieu: Golden Lion Style and Seven Star Praying Mantis."

Thomas joined the school to learn Golden Lion Style, but the teacher insisted that Thomas learn Seven Star Praying Mantis. Thomas brought to his lessons the tenacity and energy he learned in Fu Jow Pai, and he progressed quickly at the school.

Less than four years later, Thomas obtained permission from his teacher to begin teaching others. The transition from student to teacher was one that Thomas was eager to make.

"I liked teaching," he said. "I liked helping. I liked instructing. So I can't remember a time when I really didn't want to teach. And I think that's probably what made me a little different from my classmates, because I knew how to apply stuff and I knew how to fight, but it didn't mean anything to me if I couldn't teach it to somebody else and show them how to do it. So that was the goal."

"Teach the real thing," he said. "Teach real applications. Don't sugarcoat it. Teach things that are functional. Don't teach a lot of flower. Let a student know when they have it right or when they're on the right path. Also, teach above where the student is. Don't teach below, but teach above, so that you have some place to shoot for."

Thomas, who remains in close contact with his Sifu, enjoys teaching students at various levels and encourages his junior and senior students to train together. He also emphasizes his school's philosophy -- family, unity and loyalty -- to forge a bond among his students.