Tang Sou Dao Instructor Profile - Master Siew Ying Loke

Master Siew Ying Loke
Performing advanced kicking form at the Merdeka Carnival 2007
Click Here to see it on YOUTUBE

As everyone might expect, with Grandmaster Loke as my father, I began training at a very young age. I was four when I started and after a year my sister May Ying Loke also commenced training with me. I don't really remember much about my early lessons, except I probably wasn't a model student. I recall being given press-ups and bunny hops regularly. My father had to constantly tell me to keep still and to keep quiet even more!

Grandmaster Loke and Master Siew Ying Loke

My father taught (and still teaches) every day and most days after school and at weekends we would go together from class to class. He used to have to travel much further to teach and my mother would send me out with him to keep him company, and to make sure he didn't fall asleep. Remembering training as a small child is inextricably linked to spending time with my dad.

As a child I also really enjoyed training. I had a lot of energy and martial arts gave it a focus and turned it into something positive, and something I could be proud of. I also liked mixing with the other kids at training. There was a large group of kids I would train with in Hornchurch (including Master Gemini Patel), and another in Southend (including Master Angie Thomas). I would also train with the adults, most of whom are senior belts and masters today. It was much more sociable and interesting than being stuck at home, which was what most of my other school friends did most nights.

My first Championship was in 1987, when I was seven years old. I recall my name had to be called out about five times to receive my silver medal, as I was too busy chattering to Master Gemini Patel (or more likely she was chattering to me). Since then I have competed in every competition except one, when I was at university.

I have also participated in demonstrations since I was a red belt. These would be either at schools, fairs or at our own National Championships. As a younger student, participating in demonstrations builds confidence and a sense of unity and pride in our style. More recently we held a successful Merdeka demonstration on the 50th anniversary of Malaysian independence, which included children and adults, and grades from orange belt right up to masters grade.

In 1990 Grays HQ opened its doors. This was an important step, as previously Grandmaster Loke would grade clubs separately. Now, all students had a meeting point and could grade together with students from other clubs. It was a venue where senior and masters lessons and referee training could now be held. It was and remains a place that holds special memories for all students, even those who do not train at Grays.

Move from Louhan Form Five

A few years later a further HQ at Rainham was opened. This provided a further venue for those living near Hornchurch to train and grade. It was a chaotic time for my family, as Grandmaster Loke would teach at Rainham each evening, while Mrs Loke would be at Grays. Furthermore, Grandmaster Loke was also travelling to various other classes during the week and at weekends. Maintaining two wu kwans proved exhausting and after long consideration the Rainham wu kwan was closed after about six years.

I graded to black belt when I was about twelve or thirteen at Grays HQ. That signified a transitional period, where I became a more serious practitioner. With the founding of the Ren Yi Wu Kwan, the forms were revised and the addition of new black belt forms gave fresh impetus and motivation to existing students. Looking back, the changes came at a fortuitous time for me, just after my black belt grading. I was junior enough to absorb the changes easily and naturally; and I was senior enough to appreciate the positive and practical developments that these changes had wrought, marking our style as unique amongst others.

Having learnt the basics, for the next six years, between first duan to third duan, I developed my technique and found my groove. I was getting bigger and stronger and was becoming aware of my limits and capabilities. Everybody who trains for a long period of time reaches the point where, having achieved a good grounding, they develop their own personal style of training.

My fourth Duan Masters grading was in 2003, and denotes a tertiary level of development both in terms of my seniority and my own physicality. Despite being a master grade, the black belt forms are demanding and continue to require regular practise. However, unlike junior levels, that practise is informed by years of experience and technical guidance. Knowing your failings and training to correct them is very different from simply learning.

Ladies Duan Grade Competition: National Championships 1999
L to R: Tina Matania, Laura Askell, Siew Ying Loke, Anna Welch,
Tina Underwood, Stephanie Debenham

Many people ask me if I have ever got bored of training, having trained now for over twenty five years. I can honestly say that although I have been frustrated at times, I have never been bored. The fact so many senior belts still train regularly is testimony to the fact that Grandmaster Loke continues to revise, develop and further define our style, which keeps everybody alert and involved. It is a pleasure to still train with others such as Master Colin Calvin, Masters Colin and Tina Underwood and Master Stephanie Debenham, and to teach others who share my own passion. Training has been an integral part of my own personal growth and self-discovery throughout the years and that has not stopped yet.

Tang Sou!

Master Siew Ying Loke with Grandmaster Loke performing
chean sia ti (front stomp kick)

Back to the Tang Sou Dao Family Tree


			Instructor Profile: Master Siew Ying Loke Master Siew Ying Loke Performing advanced kicking form at the Merdeka Carnival 2007 Click Here to see it on YOUTUBE As everyone might expect, with Grandmaster Loke as my father, I began training at a very young age. I was four when I started and after a year my sister May Ying Loke also commenced training with me. I don't really remember much about my early lessons, except I probably wasn't a model student. I recall being given press-ups and bunny hops regularly. My father had to constantly tell me to keep still and to keep quiet even more! Grandmaster Loke and Master Siew Ying Loke My father taught (and still teaches) every day and most days after school and at weekends we would go together from class to class. He used to have to travel much further to teach and my mother would send me out with him to keep him company, and to make sure he didn't fall asleep. Remembering training as a small child is inextricably linked to spending time with my dad. As a child I also really enjoyed training. I had a lot of energy and martial arts gave it a focus and turned it into something positive, and something I could be proud of. I also liked mixing with the other kids at training. There was a large group of kids I would train with in Hornchurch (including Master Gemini Patel), and another in Southend (including Master Angie Thomas). I would also train with the adults, most of whom are senior belts and masters today. It was much more sociable and interesting than being stuck at home, which was what most of my other school friends did most nights. My first Championship was in 1987, when I was seven years old. I recall my name had to be called out about five times to receive my silver medal, as I was too busy chattering to Master Gemini Patel (or more likely she was chattering to me). Since then I have competed in every competition except one, when I was at university. I have also participated in demonstrations since I was a red belt. These would be either at schools, fairs or at our own National Championships. As a younger student, participating in demonstrations builds confidence and a sense of unity and pride in our style. More recently we held a successful Merdeka demonstration on the 50th anniversary of Malaysian independence, which included children and adults, and grades from orange belt right up to masters grade. In 1990 Grays HQ opened its doors. This was an important step, as previously Grandmaster Loke would grade clubs separately. Now, all students had a meeting point and could grade together with students from other clubs. It was a venue where senior and masters lessons and referee training could now be held. It was and remains a place that holds special memories for all students, even those who do not train at Grays. Move from Louhan Form Five A few years later a further HQ at Rainham was opened. This provided a further venue for those living near Hornchurch to train and grade. It was a chaotic time for my family, as Grandmaster Loke would teach at Rainham each evening, while Mrs Loke would be at Grays. Furthermore, Grandmaster Loke was also travelling to various other classes during the week and at weekends. Maintaining two wu kwans proved exhausting and after long consideration the Rainham wu kwan was closed after about six years. I graded to black belt when I was about twelve or thirteen at Grays HQ. That signified a transitional period, where I became a more serious practitioner. With the founding of the Ren Yi Wu Kwan, the forms were revised and the addition of new black belt forms gave fresh impetus and motivation to existing students. Looking back, the changes came at a fortuitous time for me, just after my black belt grading. I was junior enough to absorb the changes easily and naturally; and I was senior enough to appreciate the positive and practical developments that these changes had wrought, marking our style as unique amongst others. Having learnt the basics, for the next six years, between first duan to third duan, I developed my technique and found my groove. I was getting bigger and stronger and was becoming aware of my limits and capabilities. Everybody who trains for a long period of time reaches the point where, having achieved a good grounding, they develop their own personal style of training. My fourth Duan Masters grading was in 2003, and denotes a tertiary level of development both in terms of my seniority and my own physicality. Despite being a master grade, the black belt forms are demanding and continue to require regular practise. However, unlike junior levels, that practise is informed by years of experience and technical guidance. Knowing your failings and training to correct them is very different from simply learning. Ladies Duan Grade Competition: National Championships 1999 L to R: Tina Matania, Laura Askell, Siew Ying Loke, Anna Welch, Tina Underwood, Stephanie Debenham Many people ask me if I have ever got bored of training, having trained now for over twenty five years. I can honestly say that although I have been frustrated at times, I have never been bored. The fact so many senior belts still train regularly is testimony to the fact that Grandmaster Loke continues to revise, develop and further define our style, which keeps everybody alert and involved. It is a pleasure to still train with others such as Master Colin Calvin, Masters Colin and Tina Underwood and Master Stephanie Debenham, and to teach others who share my own passion. Training has been an integral part of my own personal growth and self-discovery throughout the years and that has not stopped yet. Tang Sou! Master Siew Ying Loke with Grandmaster Loke performing chean sia ti (front stomp kick) Back to the Tang Sou Dao Family Tree © Ren Yi Wu Kwan Tang Sou Dao, All Rights Reserved