In this debut translation of Wong Hon Fan’s classic “螳螂拳譜 Praying Mantis Boxing Manual , Published Jul/Aug, 1953 we embark on a journey through the world of Mantis Boxing.
For over two decades, I’ve immersed myself in the teachings of Mantis Boxing. During my studies under the guidance of my Sifu, Philipman Chow, our focus was on practical training rather than theoretical discussions. While we commonly used everyday terms like punches, chops, uppercuts and pushes to describe techniques, the traditional names occasionally surfaced when we inquired, but were not thoroughly explored. My curiosity about these traditional names ignited a journey of research and study, into the history and theories of Mantis Boxing, ultimately leading me to the published works of my Sifu’s teacher, GM Wong Hon Fan.
In 2017, I was entrusted with a copy of 黃漢勛 螳螂拳譜, Praying Mantis Boxing Manual [1st Edition – published Jul/Aug, 1953] By GM Wong Hon Fan. This manuscript served as a technical guide to the Mantis Boxing Curriculum as it existed in 1953. Surprisingly, I discovered that there were no English translations available for this invaluable text.
As a seasoned practitioner, revisiting this manuscript evoked a profound sense of wonder and rediscovery, reminiscent of my initial days as a novice. It was at this juncture that I made a momentous decision: to undertake the ambitious endeavor of breathing new life into this classic text by translating it into English.
Some may argue that the information within has already been shared over decades of training and knowledge sharing and perhaps be considered “old news” given its 1953 origin and perhaps not as detailed as more modern curriculums. I disagree, translating these texts helps maintain a continuity of learning and ensures that the foundational knowledge of our system is passed down through generations.
We’ve made every effort to maintain the original layout and quality of the content. Additionally, the posture drawings have been meticulously remastered. This ensures that practitioners of all levels can benefit from the teachings and insights presented in this material.
It is my aspiration that this work will serve as a guiding light for generations of enthusiasts yet to come, preserving the rich tradition of Mantis Boxing.
@mantisboxer416 – Oct 2023
PMC Praying Mantis -Scarborough Canada
