GRANDMASTER
TEO CHOON TECK
Before San Cheen Do
Grandmaster Teo Choon Teck was noted for being active in free sparring competitions in the 70s and 80s. In 1969 Sifu Teo represented Singapore in the First South East Asia Free Sparring Tournament and was awarded Middleweight Champion. In 1971 he represented Singapore again to fight in the Second Southeast Asia Free Sparring Tournament and was awarded Third in the middle weight category. Grandmaster Teo Choon Teck's victories mark a trend amongst students of San Cheen Do to be active and successful in Free Sparring Competition and Sanda matches, with a number of champions and medal holders from San Cheen Do Martial Arts Institute. Sifu Teo was awarded Ninth Dan by The World Organization of Wushu & Kungfu Masters in 2006.
1971 Southeast Asian
Pugilistic Tournament
Singa Fist 新加拳
Grandmaster Teo Choon Teck joined the Singapore Martial Arts Instructors' Association in 1981. In 1985, it was decided that Grandmaster Teo Choon Teck would be responsible for the creation of the new martial art “Singa Fist” or “新加拳”. As its name suggests, it is a unique blend of martial arts represented by each of the eight different masters of the Singapore Martial Arts Instructors’ Association. When Singa Fist first started classes, students flocked from various ethnic backgrounds and class numbers reached the thousands. Singa Fist was eventually incorporated into the grading system in San Cheen Do - all students at Brown 3 grade were assessed before advancing to Brown 2. In 1987, students from Grandmaster Teo Choon Teck’s class showcased the “Singa Fist” as part of the National Day performance line up. During its hay day, it was also demonstrated by 4000 martial arts enthusiasts during the largest ever joint martial arts showcase at the time in 1988.
Growing San Cheen Do
Under Grandmaster Teo Choon Teck's relentless training, San Cheen Do students shone in the fighting arena, clinching championship titles in national free-sparring competitions. After such competitions were put to a stop, Grandmaster Teo Choon Teck continuously promoted San Cheen Do through community events and exchanges. Demonstrations by students, black belters and Sifu Teo himself were amongst the line-up of performances at these events. San Cheen Do had the privilege of showcasing the art form to then Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as well as other members of parliament.
A legacy
The late Grandmaster Teo Choon Teck had played an influential role in enriching the local martial arts scene. Over four decades, Sifu Teo brought San Cheen Do to the heartlands and trained up nine batches of disciples. Grandmaster Teo Choon Teck is most well known for his “踩蛋断甘蔗” feat where one must break a sugarcane suspended by paper while holding a squat on 180 eggs. His performances were very much in demand locally and internationally - he performed in countries as far away as Japan (in 1971), Taiwan (in 1973) and Hong Kong (in 1974). As part of his will, San Cheen Do has since been passed on to his son Teo Sook Seng in December 2020.
