Sifu Donald Mak
Background
- Since 1979, immersed in the Wing Chun martial arts, both as a student and a teacher, accumulating 45 years of continuous dedication up to the present year of 2024
- Trained under the tutelage of Grand Master (GM) Chow Tze Chuen, who was a disciple of the late Great Grand Master (GGM) Yip Man; and of Pien Sun Wing Chun’s GM Fung Yim Keung, the son of GGM Fung Chiu Chun
- Founded the “International Wing Chun Organization” (IWCO) in 1997, embarking on a journey to openly share the teachings of Wing Chun martial arts
- Prior to his retirement from the position of Managing Director at a German elevator company’s Hong Kong branch in 2013, he balanced his passion for Wing Chun with a part-time teaching schedule. Now fully dedicated to studying Buddhism and the Chinese traditional culture and to developing Wing Chun internationally
- Established the philanthropic “Wing Chun Art Legacy Association” (Registration number 91/18942) in 2023. In its commitment to ensure equal access for all, enabling everyone to embrace and nurture “one sport and/or one art in life”, the Association provides free short- and long-term martial arts, sports and art courses for the socially disadvantaged and the underprivileged
Promotion of Wing Chun
- Regularly receives invitations to offer seminars on Wing Chun and the promotion of Chinese traditional culture across over 20 countries spanning Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa
- IWCO boasts over 100 affiliated schools located throughout 18 countries, with a combined student body numbering close to ten thousand, both directly and indirectly impacted by Sifu Mak’s teachings.
- In an effort to uphold the standards of Wing Chun martial arts worldwide, actively promote a grading and examination system, ensuring uniformity and quality across the discipline.
Publications
- Contributed articles to the prestigious book, “Ip Man Ving Tsun 50th Anniversary”, as well as renowned martial arts publications like “Wing Chun Illustrated”, “Martial Arts Masters”, “Journal of Chinese Martial Arts”, “Blitz”, and the “Kung Fu Journal”
- Authored and published the book “Willow in the Wind – Wing Chun’s Soft Approach” (2016)
Passing the Torch
- Together with his associations in Europe, Hong Kong, and China, Sifu Mak has organized several international and regional Wing Chun competitions since 2010
- Served as on-site martial arts consultant for the Wing Chun movie, “The Legend is Born – Ip Man“, directed by Herman Yau, in 2010
Esteemed Titles
Vice President of the World Wing Chun Cultural Exchange Union (2024)
Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong, Macau and Overseas Wing Chun Promotion Expert Panel, Guangdong Wushu Association (2023)
Certified 9th Dan Wing Chun Kung Fu (Grandmaster), The Worldwide Martial Arts Association (2020)
Lecturer, The 8th World Kungfu Competition Workshop & Seminar Program (2019)
Member of the Jury of Appeals, World Wing Chun Open Competition (2018)
Member of the Editorial board for the Guangdong Nan Quan (Wing Chun) Duan Wei Curriculum, Guangdong Wushu Association (2018)
Official Competition Referee, World Wing Chun Union (2010)
Member of the Editorial board for Chinese Wushu (Wing Chun) Duan Wei Curriculum, Wushu Research Team of General Administration of Sport of China (2009)
Vice Chairman, World Wing Chun Union (2009)
7th Duan of Chinese Wushu Duan Wei System, Chinese Wushu Association (2008)
Professional Trainer, Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, U.K (2007)
Recognized Referee and Judge, Hong Kong Muay Thai Association (2006)
Permanent Member, Hong Kong Chinese Martial Arts Association Limited (2005)
Founding Member, World Ving Tsun Athletic Association (2005)
Recognized Instructor, Ving Tsun Athletic Association (2004)
Recognized Sifu, Chow Tze Chuen’s Wing Chun Chuen Kwoon (2001)
Permanent Member, Ving Tsun Athletic Association (1991)
