Yat Dan, Yi Lik, Saam Gung Fu

FIRST, COURAGE; SECOND, POWER; THIRD, GUNG FU

- David Peterson

AN OFT-QUOTED maxim of the late Sifu Wong Shun Leung was the title of this article, and it summarised his attitude towards what determined one’s ability to succeed in combat.

Wong Sifu felt strongly that many involved in the martial arts placed too much emphasis on aspects of their chosen fighting system that were not conducive to a winning strategy. Too much time was spent thinking about and practising physical actions and thought-processes that were, in his opinion, counter-productive.

He believed far too many martial artists of his generation placed far too much emphasis on how things looked aesthetically, instead of being concerned with what worked under realistic circumstances. They were training for a dream scenario, rather than practicality. Most important, they were (and often, still are!) ignoring the fundamental requirements of combat that, in his opinion, are being mentally/emotionally and physically, prepared for the fight.

Hence, the quote Yat Dan, Yi Lik, Saam Gung Fu or “First courage, second power, third Gung Fu.” These were, he believed, the factors most critical in attaining victory in combat, and the order they are presented within the quote are the absolute order of their priority, to reach that level of mental and physical ability to excel under all conditions. To clarify what he meant by this maxim, let us look closely at each part of it and break down the implications of its message.