Our History

In 1966, GrandMaster Liu Yun Qiao, the former head trainer to the bodyguards of the President Chiang Kai Shek, (the Premier of The Republic Of China), retired from his post as Chairman of the Civil Defense Force in the Republic of China (Taiwan). He chose twelve disciples to pass down his skills and named his school Wutan. Most of these disciples were already highly skilled martial artists; some had been teaching in their own right for many years and so brought all their students with them to Wutan. A school with a wealth of experience and knowledge in traditional martial arts was created.

Grand Master Liu Yun Qiao passed his skills down to many disciples, and many of these masters have spread their knowledge and skill throughout the world. One of Grand Master Liu’s favourite students was Master Wu Song Fa (Ng Choong Fah), who was already a very skilful and proficient martial artist before he was accepted as a student of Grand Master Liu. He trained under strict supervision for six hours a day for many years before Grand Master Liu Yun Qiao finally accredited Master Wu as having mastered the arts of Wutan. With over six decades of Chinese martial arts knowledge, Master Wu developed skills that are rarely found in today’s martial arts circles.

They Soon Tuan commenced his martial arts tuition with his father before his 7th birthday. From that day on, martial arts became the most important part of his life. He spent at least 5 hours every day in training learning every technique and system that his crane style master recommended. After teaching on behalf of his teacher for 4 yrs in the East, he came to the UK. Having an oriental background, he understands that the reason many instructors cannot enable their students to fulfil their potential even after 20 years of hard training is that they discontinue their own training as soon as they have achieved Black Belt status.

Ringwood Martial Arts Academy is led by senior instructor Matt Young

He has been a member of Wutan since 1988 and has been teaching for the past 25 years. During his time as an instructor, he has trained a number of regional, and British Champions and was the first to train a British fighter to become a European Champion in Chinese Full Contact Kickboxing.  He is also a qualified judge with BCCMA (British Council Chinese Martial Arts Association).  In 1999 he was selected by Master Wu, as one of his twelve UK disciples, (formal indoor student).  Along with other senior instructors, Matt assists the Uk founder in training the Wutan UK instructor team.  He is DBS enhanced checked, and trained in first aid and child protection awareness.