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About Sifu Michael Mc Ilwrath

       I received my first exposure to martial arts training, for a brief time, back in the late 70's training in Shorin-Ryu Karate. It was during the early 80’s, in high school, that I became interested in the Chinese Martial arts through a fellow class mate. In fact, it was this very classmate who introduced me to Wing Chun and from that point on I had become completely fascinated by the style’s simple yet effective techniques. 
       It was during this time, that I started training in the Yip Man style of Wing Chun under NYC Sifu’s Moy Yat and  Lee Moy Shun. It was under them were I was first able to learn the fundamentals Wing Chun. Some time later, I was introduced, through a good friend and training partner, a different style of Wing Chun called Fut Sao or Buddha Hand Wing Chun taught under Grand Master Henry Leung.
       I became interested in this style mainly because up until this point I was only aware of one style of Wing Chun existing and that was the Yip Man style. With my interests peaked traveled to the school to find out more. Once there I became extraordinarily interested and overcome by the students skill and the small close nit family like environment of the school. Soon there after I joined the school and eagerly trained as often as I possibly could.
       From 1981 to present I have spent over 25 years studying and training with several of Grand Master Henry Leung’s senior and close door students. Although I have learned a lot from all my prior Sifu’s, it was not until I was granted discipleship under Sifu/Professor Joseph Ng that I was able to develop a deeper understanding of the art of Fut Sao Wing Chun.