Anton Van Thomas


Sifu Anton van Thomas is a martial arts practitioner and teacher in the Chinese art of Wing Chun.

Biography

Background

Van Thomas was born in London, England on April 10, 1962. He began his Wing Chun studies in the early 1980s under Sifu Samuel Kwok. He also studied under Grandmasters Ip Chun and Ip Ching in Hong Kong. During this period, Van Thomas also worked on a security team for the British Royal Family

Career

In 1996, Van Thomas attended a Masters seminar, hosted by Grandmaster Shum Ng, in Canton, China, on the development of Ving Tsun/ Yong Chong/ Wing Chun Kung Fu worldwid. That same year, he delivered a demonstration at the Chin Woo/ Wu Shu Kung Fu World Championships.
In 1999, Van Thomas took part in demonstrations at the first World Ving Tsun Conference in Hong Kong.
On 10 November 2002, Van Thomas and Sifu Gary Mckenzie demonstrated Wing Chun/Ving Tsun at the opening of the Ip Man Tong in Fatsan, China.
Van Thomas hosted a Wing Chun demonstration on the Leitai at seni 05 & 06 In 2006, Van Thomas spoke at the British Museum and demonstrated Wing Chun and Chi Sau
In 2009, Van Thomas participated in Hong Kong in a record breaking demonstration of the most people simultaneously performing Siu Nim Tao

Current work

Van Thomas published a book, The Centre of Wing Chun: Chi Sau. He has appeared on both United Kingdom and Chinese television discussing Wing Chun. Van Thomas has written columns and articles for ''Combat Magazine.
In 2001 Van Thomas was inducted into the Combat Hall of Fame.
Van Thomas is a member of the Ving Tsun Athletic Association and a board member of the Ip Man Museum in Foshan. In conjunction with Ving Tsun, Van Thomas has organized seminars for Ip Chun, Ip Ching, Sifu Tui Shong Tin, and Kwok. He has also been involved in many Martial Arts Tournaments as organiser and judge.
Van Thomas teaches the application of Wing Chun principles to every aspect of daily life.

Lineage

Lineage

Ip Man – Ip Chun – Samuel Kwok – Anton Van Thomas.

Senior Students