Lam Family Hung Kuen
Leon Dogan
I’ve had the privilege of asking Sifu about his martial arts journey countless times, and I’ve been fortunate enough to hear many incredible stories—some funny, some shocking—but all unmistakably revealing a man who has martial arts deeply ingrained in his heart. With that in mind, I wanted to share this brief biography of Leon Sifu. While it doesn’t cover everything, I hope it offers a glimpse into the path that led Leon to become the respected Sifu we all admire. I
It’s important to mention that Sifu has never been one to boast about his training, the many articles he’s written, people he has helped or the behind-the-scenes work he’s done to promote the Lam family. He’s always remained humble about the skills and experience he has acquired over the years. In fact, it took considerable effort to persuade him to step out of the shadows and share his story. This short article marks that first step and gives us our first true insight into the journey of the remarkable Sifu we know today.
Sifu Leon Dogan has always harbored a deep passion for martial arts, dedicating himself to nurturing that passion from a very young age. Growing up in Turkey, in a city where martial arts opportunities were scarce, Sifu faced the challenge of not having access to a school of his choice. The two main combat sports available were wrestling, Turkey’s national sport, and Taekwondo, which grew in popularity in the 1960s, earning the country a strong reputation for producing skilled competitors. Initially, Sifu began with wrestling, as it was the only option in his city.
In 1983, at the age of 10, a Taekwondo school opened in his city. Unfortunately, as with most things, classes required payment, and Leon didn’t have the money to afford them. Naturally, he turned to his parents, begging and pleading for the chance to train—after all, every child would think life would be incomplete without it! However, his parents remained firm, explaining that the cost of living was high, and they couldn’t afford to pay for lessons. Undeterred, Leon took matters into his own hands and found ways to earn money. He started selling pastries for a local bakery and shining shoes to raise funds. He would wake up at 4 a.m. to work at the bakery before school and then head to the city center after school to shine shoes with his friends.
Once he had saved enough money, he went back to his parents for permission to start training. Impressed by his determination and resolve, they agreed to let him begin Taekwondo, marking his first, but certainly not last, experience with martial arts. Even at such a young age, with no previous training, his teachers were impressed not only by his skill but by his maturity and commitment to his training. What stood out then, and what I’m sure his teachers recognized, was the deep, heart-driven hunger to learn and improve. This inner strength and unwavering dedication, in my view, is the foundation that has shaped him into the exceptional martial artist he is today.
Martial arts training has evolved significantly over the years, but back then, the relationship between teacher and student was something special. The teacher was viewed as a figure of authority and respect—almost like a second parent—trusted unconditionally to guide their students. As a result, training during that time was incredibly tough and demanding. Children were often paired with adults, learning to deal with the strength of someone much larger and stronger, sometimes three times their weight and twice their size. There was no safety equipment, focus pads, or kick shields. Instead, you became the kick shield, and your hands served as the focus mitts. Sifu Leon learned the effectiveness of strikes and kicks by experiencing them firsthand. Hands-on teaching was a crucial part of the process. Classes were disciplined, with teachers wielding sticks at school, and his Taekwondo instructor using his hands and feet to enforce discipline.
Competitions between students were frequent. One vivid memory Sifu Leon recalls is a “pressure testing” game known as the “circle of pain.” Surrounded by five individuals, mostly adults, you had to defend yourself against all of them simultaneously for a set period of time. It was full-contact, no pads, no guards, and no mercy. Cuts, bruises, excruciating pain, and occasional joint dislocations were all part of the experience. Although this may sound harsh, the underlying lessons were clear. It wasn’t mindless; there was purpose behind it. For Sifu, this type of training was invaluable—it taught him to work hard, be disciplined, and persevere no matter what came his way. These lessons have stayed with him to this day.
In his early teens, Sifu Leon moved to the UK, uncertain about whether he would like London, but excited by the opportunities to explore other martial arts. He quickly immersed himself in the world of martial arts, devouring books and magazines, and training in various styles, including Hung Gar. Every spare moment around his education was dedicated to training. For many, martial arts might be just a hobby, but for Sifu, it became a lifestyle. He trained as much as he could and with as many different people as possible. This helped him refine his skills, as he practiced what he had learned and discovered its true effectiveness. His approach to teaching reflects this philosophy: always challenging what you think you know and opening your eyes to the depth of what Hung Gar has to offer.
Growing up as an immigrant in East London came with its own set of challenges. Though Sifu Leon doesn’t often speak about the struggles he faced, he has credited his martial arts training with helping him navigate tough situations and even saving his life on more than one occasion. After spending his teenage years in London and following advice from one of his teachers, he made the decision to traveled to Hong Kong to further his Hung Gar training under the guidance of the Lam Family, hoping to take his martial arts journey to new heights.
Although the idea of traveling to Hong Kong was exciting, the reality of it was far from straightforward or easy. To make his first trip possible, Leon worked multiple jobs and sold everything he owned. Armed with nothing but a picture from a magazine, he set out to find Grand master Lam Cho’s school in Hong Kong. He didn’t speak the language, had no contacts, and was navigating a completely unfamiliar city. It felt like searching for a needle in a haystack. He went from Kung Fu school to Kung Fu school, not knowing where to go or who to talk to. At times, he was left feeling disheartened and lost, especially when people were outright rude, and at worst, aggressive and unwilling to help. Racial slurs and doors slammed in his face became part of his daily routine. Though he eventually found a place to train, it wasn’t what he was looking for, nor where he truly wanted to be.
But Leon didn’t give up. Through a friend he met in Hong Kong, he eventually discovered Grand master Lam Cho’s school. This was a turning point in his journey, a moment that changed his life. The Lam Family was incredibly welcoming and supportive, and Leon was accepted as a student at the legendary school of Great Grandmaster Lam Cho, under the personal guidance of Sifu Lam Chun Sing. Training was not easy, but despite all his struggles in Hong Kong, Leon loved every second of it.
After years of traveling back and forth to Hong Kong to train under the Lam Family, Leon knew he had found where he truly belonged. He realized that to truly refine his skills, he needed to live and breathe martial arts. So, he made the life-changing decision to move to Hong Kong permanently and dedicate himself fully to Hung Gar.
During his time in Hong Kong, Leon not only trained at the legendary school but also explored other interests, such as learning traditional lion dance and studying aspects of Chinese medicine. He trained every day and was fortunate to have the opportunity to practice at the school during times when most students couldn’t. His training was intense, and he had the privilege of learning from all members of the Lam family, creating lasting memories with each one.
Sifu Leon was pushed to his limits, and beyond. Phrases like “lower,” “faster,” and “again,” from Master Lam, became ingrained in him and are now part of the routine in his own school. Master Lam continually challenged him and was hands-on, always demonstrating techniques and applications. Leon was also incredibly fortunate, as despite Great Grandmaster Lam Cho being officially retired, he would still step in to correct and assist the students. A perfectionist at heart, Lam Cho demanded nothing less than perfection from everyone, and Leon was no exception. He often referred to Leon as “Ying Gok Jai” (English boy), offering corrections and guidance whenever he saw fit.
Over time, Leon grew even closer to all the members of the Lam family and his older kung fu brothers. He became a part of their extended family and felt incredibly fortunate and privileged to receive their ongoing guidance, support, and advice. Grandmaster’s daughter Lam Fung Chu (林鳳珠) and her husband Wong Tong Ching, big brother Chung Wai Hung amongst many others were always there to help Leon.
Leon is deeply grateful to the Lam Family for accepting him into their Kung Fu lineage and for generously sharing their family art of Hung Kuen with him. He is equally thankful to his senior Kung Fu brothers in Hong Kong for their ongoing guidance and support. Leon has dedicated himself to learning from Lam Family Hung Kuen, and this journey continues to this day, still a student at heart, he continually trains to refine. For the past two decades, he has been instrumental in assisting his Sifu by assisting in teaching Lam Family Kung Fu to students across the globe, organizing seminars, workshops, and private lessons, and representing the family style in numerous countries.
As the official representative of Lam Family Hung Kuen in the United Kingdom, Leon Sifu has devoted his life, time, and energy to both practicing and promoting the system. From the beginning of his journey as a student, he has placed great importance on supporting the Lam Family in every way he could. His selflessness has been evident throughout his work, whether it’s writing articles, editing books, designing websites, or helping new students. He’s often gone out of his way, driving and participating in projects without seeking any recognition or credit in return. This rare and admirable quality is one of the main reasons this article has taken so long to write. Leon Sifu has always been clear that such efforts are unnecessary for his growth as a martial artist, but as his students, we feel it is our responsibility to highlight that his commitment to martial arts goes far beyond just training and teaching. For example, in his efforts to promote Lam Family Hung Kuen, Leon collaborated with Sony PlayStation to create a PS2 game called Kinetic Combat, where the main character was based on him and the style of Hung Kuen. He also played a key role in the creation of two popular books by Grandmaster Lam Chun Fai: Tid Sin Kuen and Hung Kuen Fundamentals.
With over 40 years of experience, Leon Sifu remains dedicated to passing on the system exactly as he learned it, always holding core martial values such as respect, honesty, perseverance, loyalty, generosity, and humility close to his heart. We are fortunate that Leon Sifu teaches from the heart and cares deeply for each student at his school, always demanding perfection and ensuring the system is taught in its purest form. Leon is often heard saying there are three key ingredients to becoming a good martial artist: a good teacher, a good method of teaching, and a good student. With two of these already firmly in place the third is up to you.