Andrew Yuen was born in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, 1982. At the age of 6, he enrolled at Traditional Kung Fu Training Center. He began his studies under Chief Instructor, Jack Wong. He competed in local tournaments and later began performing as a part of the demonstration team of Traditional Kung Fu Training Center.
In 2000, Andrew started his university studies, but still devoted much of his time practicing and became more involved in the activities at the Kung Fu school. He helped out in classes as an assistant instructor, demonstrations, and lion dances. In the summer of 2002, Grandmaster Galen Fok visited the Traditional Kung Fu Training Center in Surrey and began to pour out his knowledge to the students there. Seeing Grandmaster Galen Fok’s knowledge of the martial arts, Andrew was persistent in advancing his skills and showed willingness to learn and gain deeper knowledge in the lifestyle of a martial artist. Jack Wong recommended to Grandmaster Galen Fok to take Andrew under his supervision for further study in the martial arts.
After a short time, Grandmaster Galen Fok had returned to WuDang mountain and recommended Andrew to refine his foundations at Shouyu Liang Wushu Taiji Qigong Institute. Andrew continued attending classes at both Shouyu Liang Wushu Tai Chi Qigong Institute and Traditional Kung Fu until he graduated from university and went to Edmonton where Grandmaster Galen Fok had later set up a school.
Under Grandmaster Galen Fok, he learned the Chuk Kai Tai Chi Praying Mantis System, Chow Hon Hing Hung Gar System, Tai Chi, Qigong, life philosophy, Chinese tea ceremony, and how to become an instructor and Sifu. Grandmaster Galen Fok’s martial arts system also included basic foundation kicks, single moves, two person fighting forms, self-defense, wooden dummy, and lion dance. Andrew became a disciple of Grandmaster Galen Fok in the summer of 2005.
Andrew is a 9th generation disciple and the 37th graduate of the Chuk Kai Tai Chi Praying Mantis System certified by the Chuk-Kai Tai Chi Praying Mantis Alumni Association with his certificate signed by the Si-Gung Chiu Chuk Kai’s wife, Chiu Lam Miu Ling Si Por. He is also accepted as the 3rd generation Chow Hon Hing Hung Gar disciple by the Hong Kong Chow Hon Hing Alumni Association.
In 2008, Andrew’s experience and achievements in Traditional Chinese Martial Arts were being recognized and Andrew was entered into the Chapter of “Contemporary Chinese Masters of Traditional Wushu Dictionary” in “The Canon of Contemporary Chinese Wushu” published by the “International Martial Arts Culture Development Research Center of China”.
In the same year, Andrew also qualified to represent Canada in the 3rd World Traditional Wushu Championships held in Siyan City, Hubei Province of China. He competed in the Praying Mantis hand form and weapon form divisions.
2008 3rd World Traditional Wushu Championships in China
In 2011, Andrew’s continued experience in Traditional Chinese Martial Arts also earned him into the Chapter of “Contemporary Chinese Masters of Wushu Dictionary” published by the “International Martial Arts Culture Development Research Center of China”.
And in 2012, Andrew has been awarded the rank of sixth degree in “Chinese Traditional Wushu” from the “International Martial Arts Culture Development Research Center of China”.
As of May 2016, Grandmaster Galen Fok relocated back to Vancouver and had set up a private intensive and elite martial arts class. Andrew was among one of the few to be selected into this intensive class. In this class, the students continue to learn a deeper understanding of Grandmaster Galen Fok’s martial arts and life philosophy.
