Biography of Sifu Jim Kragtwyk - West Coast Sunny Tang Wing Chun Kung Fu

Jim was born in 1965, the youngest of seven children, in Aylmer Quebec. Growing up as a child and teenager, he was strongly influenced and attracted to martial arts by watching Bruce Lee movies and the movie Kung Fu in the 1970’s. Bruce Lee inspired Jim to believe that anybody, despite his or her body size or strength, could be a master martial artist. The Kung Fu TV show modeled the humble, philosophical, moral and spiritual side of martial arts.

In 1990, Jim made some serious lifestyle changes. He moved away from a lifestyle that disrespected and abused his body and spirit, and undertook a path towards healthy physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual integration. This was the year that he started his Wing Chun Kung Fu training with his Sifu Walter Jacimczuk in the Master Sunny Tang family. Sifu Walter was/is an amazing teacher as well as a profound martial artist. He knew then that he had found his family and his Sifu. He knew it would be a path of many years and a commitment to himself and his new family. He joined the family right away.

Seventeen years of training and eleven years of teaching Wing Chun have had a profound impact on his life. The more he trained, the more he learned that there was even more to learn. It has been an ever-expanding awareness and consciousness of knowledge and spirit since then. There have been too many amazing moments and experiences to list here, but some of the highlights have been competing in and winning the advanced Wing Chun sparring competition at the National Kung Fu championships in 1994; participating in the many martial arts demonstrations in Ottawa and Toronto for the Sunny Tang Family; the many incredible relationships and bonds created with his kung fu brothers and sisters; attending his Sigung Sunny Tang’s 30th anniversary gala celebration in the Fall of 2003 in Toronto; building his own student base/school and the wonderful seminars that his Sifu and Kung Fu Brother Wayne Belonoha held for his students.

In 1998, Jim moved from Ottawa, Ontario to Victoria, British Columbia to pursue his career as a counsellor and other personal interests. It was here that he opened his own school and had his own students after training and teaching with his home school in Ottawa. He has a small, dedicated and growing group of core students and looks forward to a lifetime of teaching and sharing the wisdom of Wing Chun Kung Fu.

A strong believer in living a balanced and healthy life, Jim’s other interests include, wilderness backpacking and travel, playing in an African percussion and movement band, Gabrielle Roth’s 5 Rhythms Dance, fitness, philosophy/spirituality and continued growth towards personal integrity.

Grand Master Sunny Tang (Dunn Wah)

Sunny Tang (Dunn Wah), is a second generation student of the late Grandmaster Yip Man and disciple of Grandmaster Moy Yat. He introduced Ving Tsun (Wing Chun) Kung Fu to Canada in 1973 with the establishment of Sunny Tang Martial Arts Centre.

After training in Ving Tsun for more than a decade in his home town of Hong Kong, Sunny Tang moved to England in 1971. Two years later, Master Tang immigrated to Toronto, Canada, where he started the first Sunny Tang Martial Arts Centre. Over the years, many people from different professions, cultures and martial arts systems have benefited from practicing Ving Tsun under Master Tang. To date, more than ten Ving Tsun Centres have been established by Master Tang and his senior students across Canada, making it one of the nations largest Martial Arts institutions.

His contribution both as a martial artist and community leader have earned him much respect and admiration from his students, other martial artists, his community and his country.

Recognized for his many achievements and contributions, he received the Canada Day Achievement Award in 1990. In 1992, this recognition earned Master Tang the unique opportunity to perform for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, during Canada's 125th anniversary celebrations.

As well as teaching and promoting Ving Tsun Kung Fu, Master Tang also promotes Wushu in Canada. He was the team leader for Canada during the 1996 and 1998 Pan American Championships, as well as at the 1995 - 2003 World Championships. Master Tang is currently the National Executive President of the Confederation of Canadian Wushu Organizations, as well as a leading director for the Canadian National Wushu Team. Master Tang and his team of instructors and coaches have established a positive and highly recognized reputation across Canada, both for their competitive and coaching achievements.

For further information contact Jim Kragtwyk