Stanley Warden, a Wing Chun enthusiast from the United States, practices in Zhuhai. [Photo by Parker Zheng/chinadaily.com.cn]
The American geologist's enthusiasm for Wing Chun led him to the birthplace of the martial art, deepening cultural connections and personal training. Chaihua reported from Zhuhai.
At a dojo in Zhuhai, a group of foreigners practice Wing Chun in front of a row of wooden puppets. One of the foreigners, Stanley Worden, a geologist from the United States, has been fascinated by Chinese culture and martial arts for half a century. He finally fulfilled his long-held dream of coming to China to study Chinese martial arts in Guangdong.
Mr. Worden first learned about Wing Chun at a show when he was five years old and was shocked by how wonderful it was, but there were no such classes in his hometown. His journey began during his college years when he began training at a martial arts school run by Duncan Leung Siu-hung, one of Grandmaster Ip Man's early students. Renowned for his expertise in the arts, Leung served as a Wing Chun consultant for the award-winning film The Grand Masters.
Recalling his association with Leung, Warden said he deeply respected Leung's influence and called him Shifu, which means both teacher and father in Chinese.
Since then, he says, Leon has been a huge influence on his life. “He's like a father to me.”
Leung teaches “Applied Wing Chun” and encourages his students to question and test the effectiveness of his teachings rather than blindly accepting them. With a background in physics, Warden finds Wing Chun's principles and positioning to be intuitively logical.
“Many Western martial arts focus on aggressive attacks, but in Wing Chun you hide and protect yourself when attacked. For example, in boxing, the bigger and stronger person usually wins. However, the wisdom of Wing Chun lies in its technique and positioning,'' the director explains.
Mr. Warden's commitment to Wing Chun is unwavering. While I was enrolled at another university, I looked for schools close to campus and dedicated my weekends to training. As a testament to his dedication, he has also taken on the role of teaching the art of Wing Chun to students ranging from his 14 years of age to his 60s.
Leon's principles had a great influence on Warden's life. “He taught us to set goals, dream about them, and pursue them. I've lived my life by those principles,” Worden says. He attributes his numerous achievements, including his four university diplomas in geology, Russian and law, to the motivation instilled in him by Leon's teachings. During difficult times, such as writing his dissertation, he drew strength from Schiff's words.
“Dreams create motivation. Visualizing your goals and making them a part of your life will motivate you to study and achieve them,” Worden says.
Warden's journey was not without its obstacles. He had been battling a debilitating illness for five years, which left him constantly feeling tired and struggling to maintain his concentration. Leon's words of wisdom gave him strength during difficult times. “His teachings helped me weather the storm.”
Warden's passion for Wing Chun and his deep appreciation for Leon have remained strong over the years. When he was in his 60s and nearing retirement, he took the opportunity to visit his master in China.
They were originally scheduled to travel in June 2023, but they learned that Leon was suffering from a serious illness and was traveling to Los Angeles in the United States for treatment. He then decided to visit Leon, even though he did not know the specific hospital where Leon was admitted. He traveled across the country from his home in Florida to Los Angeles, searching several local hospitals until he found Leon, and stayed by Leon's side until he was healthy enough to return to China.
“I stayed with him throughout that whole time because he was such a big influence on my life. It didn't matter to me at all,” Warden says.
“Frankly, when he asked me to visit him in the hospital, I couldn't even remember his name, because I've taught so many students. I was deeply moved by his care and support,” Leon recalled.
In March, Warden finally had the opportunity to study Wing Chun in Guangdong province, the birthplace of Wing Chun. Despite his busy work, he practices Wing Chun diligently every day at Leung's school in Zhuhai. Even when he had to work until 5 a.m. because of the time difference, he did his best to attend all his classes.
Mr Leong, now 82 years old, recalls his years of teaching Wing Chun and said that while many international students came and went, Warden stood out as one of the most dedicated practitioners of Wing Chun, and one of the most dedicated to learning the martial art. He said he has spent time.
Due to Leon's poor health, he is no longer able to personally demonstrate his positions and movements, but he still actively participates in martial arts schools. He observes his students, corrects their movements, and coaches them on-site, even if they occasionally need help with supplemental oxygen.
Mr Worden's visit to China was an “eye-opener” for him. He feels great and safe living in China and is very grateful for the friendliness of the people he has met. By sharing his experiences in China on social media, he hopes to spread awareness and appreciation of Wing Chun culture around the world.
