Hop Gar
From Karate, Kungfu, Wrestling, Mixed Fighting Information Source
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Hop Gar is a martial art derived from an Indo-Tibetan style called Lion's Roar. This art spread to Guangdong Province in southern China where it evolved into the arts of Lama Pai, Pak Hok Pai, and Hop Gar. Its techniques and forms emulate the ape and the crane by developing power, speed and precision through practice. This style incorporates both long and short range strikes with the use of empty-hand and weapons forms. It also includes the full range of Chin Na techniques.
History
Lion's Roar was created in the 15th century by a Tibetan monk named Ha Da-Do using both Chinese and Indo-Tibetan martial arts influences. In the mid-19th century, another Tibetan Buddhist monk, Sing Lung, and his four students brought this style to the Green Cloud Shaolin Monastery in Guangdong Province in southeast China. There, it soon evolved into the arts of Hop Gar, Lama Pai, and Pak Hok Pai. The modern version of Hop Gar was formed by Wong Honwing, a student of Wong Yanlam, who was one of the two founders of Lama Pai Kung Fu. Hop literally means "hero," which was Wong Yanlam's nickname. He earned this moniker because he fought many challengers and always won, and so his student Wong Honwing named this style in honor of his teacher.
Techniques
Hop Gar, like the related Lama Pai and Pak Hok Pai styles, teaches students to evade the enemy's attacks, then counter-attack with both linear and circular strikes, and both high and low kicks. The aggressiveness and practicality of this style has made it one of the most popular Chinese martial arts in the world today. There are many weapons and empry-hand forms.
