Ryan Cusack
- First (Given): Ryan
- Last (Family): Cusack
- Commenly Know As: Ryan Cusack
Primary Lineage:
(Yuen Kay San) Sum Nung
Date of Birth: Feb 14, 1980
Verification:
You are here
primary teacher/lineage
Teacher Name
Rank Sifu Cusack Obtained
Still Affiliated?
Full Lineage:
Pan Nam > Felix Leong (Cheok Son) > Ryan Cusack
certification pictures:
biography (con't)
I was born on the 14th February 1980. I started Martial arts at age of 4 at the time it was karate. That was it I was hooked Martial Arts became my life. Of course Bruce Lee became a major influence his Philosophy, training methods and way of life. When I was old enough to read I started reading about Wing Chun and other Martial Arts books. My grandfather would say I don’t care what you read as long as you read and read I did. Any books that were on the subject of philosophy other Martial Arts. How the body would work, health and nutrition. I also learned to be still, challenged and focused. I learned self discipline and socialisation skills. When my family moved to Victor Harbour I was excited to learn more there was a club there.
So at 8 years of age I signed up at the Taekwondo Club at Victor Harbor under the guidance of Simon Jones 4th Dan Black belt.
This was a branch of Lee’s Taekwondo Academy. The Master instructor Choon Bong Lee an 9th Dan black belt. I continued to move up the ranks to obtain my 1st Dan Black belt at age 16.
My hunger to do more kept me interested. I accomplished 8 gold medals and was the undefeated National champion.
Wing Chun was my major interest and Finally at age 11 my journey lead me to
Grand Master Felix Leong. I respectfully informed Simon Jones and Choon Bong Lee that I wanted to pursue other Martial Arts. With respect to Lee’s Taekwondo
It was a well-organized club and a great group of people.
It built a great foundation to my Martial Arts journey I loved the physical challenges. Simon was inspiring and motivating.
I often would hold the classes till Simon arrived from the city and loved every minute of it. He was great part of my life and we are still friends to this day.
At this point I was studying and practicing martial arts everyday. When I wasn’t practicing I was reading. Books that inspired Bruce Lee the like’s of Jiddu Krishnamurti, Allan Watts just to name a few.
It became my goal in life to be a martial artist. As the years went by I continued to add many new styles and techniques to my resume. Wing Chun was where my heart was.
I wagged school and travelled from Victor Harbor to the city. I waited for Grand Master Felix for over six hours at the doorstep of the club. When he finally arrived he was amazed that I had travelled that far and had waited that long. I became a full time student at the age of 11. Grand Master Felix Leong was the teacher that stood out to me. As time went on I knew I had made the right decision and finally could train in Wing Chun. I would assist Grand Master Felix Leong on a day today basis.
A typical day would be travelling by bus and train, then running the 6km to his home I would partake in chores that were required. This may include gardening around his home. Followed later in the day by restaurant preparation and cooking. Then off to the Wing Chung Academy. I would train for hours everyday at the club. There was nowhere I would rather be.
Sifu would give me many one on one training sessions. The days were long but very exciting. I continued to read and train and when I saw Sifu the next day I would show him all I had learned. Over night he was amazed how I could show him a form or technique that I only was shown the day before. He also gave me many books to read and learn from too.
He also trained me in the Lion dance and Wu shu. When Chinese New Year would come I would preform the lion dance at Adelaide restaurants and venues. We also did many demonstrations at schools. I’d perform the broadsword and Wu Shu forms and Wing Chun.
By the time I left high school.
Wing Chun had shaped me into a clear direction in all aspects of my life.
I graduated at 16 17 years of age from the Webster Security Academy but was still too young to work in the industry. This later did led to work in the Security Industry. I would often work as a bodyguard to visiting entertainers.
To me Martials Arts is about discovering your passions and living them, and being the best version of yourself possible. It’s about unleashing that warrior spirit hidden within us all.
Felix Leong had been my Sifu now for over 20years. In that time he taught me the full system of Wing Chun. He taught me how to grow into the man I am today. He showed me a way of life not just in Wing Chun in life itself. I have since won many competitions from Taekwondo to kickboxing and Cage fighting. If it weren’t for Sifu Felix Leong’s Wing Chun training I would not have made it this far in my life. Thanks to him I am the man I am today with strong spirit and the will to help any one any time. Wing Chun made me a great Martial Artist and in life as well. I manage to achieve a lot of other things because of Felix Leong's teaching I got a Building licence a Business degree and more and it made me a better human being. He is a true legend Thank you Sifu Felix Leong my life would not of been the same with out you it was a journey I'll never forget. You have changed my life, the journey will continue to grow thank you Sifu Felix Leong and Thank you to Wing Chun you have change my life for ever.
1 Comments
Title: Thank you Wing Chun