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“The Legendary Fist of the North”
Grandmaster Tarm Sarm
Grandmaster Tarm Sarm (譚三, born Kaiping, Guangdong, 1873 – died 1942 at age 69) was originally a practicioner of Hung Gar before immersing himself in the Choy Lay Fut system under Hung Sing Master Lui Charn. An unfortunate confrontation with senior peers led to his expulsion before completing his training. With a few discreet supporters, he moved to Guangzhou’s Siu Buk district (“Little North”) and founded his own school: Buck Sing Choy Lay Fut—a name derived from the district itself.
Tarm Sarm was renowned for his fearless spirit and unwavering commitment to proving the superiority of his kung fu.It was there that he earned his reputation by challenging other masters and consistently winning, which led to him being known as “The Fist of the North.” He remains legendary for never losing in over 100 fights
He emphasized practical combat over many forms — an approach that set Buck Sing apart. His most famous technique, Lin Wan Chap Chui (“Continuous Inserting Fist”), delivered rapid, powerful blows that became the signature of his style.
During this time, another legendary kung fu master, the Northern Shaolin master Ku Yu Jeung (顾汝章), also went to Guangzhou to open his own school. This Sifu was famous for his Iron Palm technique. Before they met, both men were aware of each other’s reputation, so driven by curiosity, they decided to engage in a friendly match. However, neither of them managed to defeat the other. They became good friends and shared techniques and exchanged students. The influence of this exchange further contributed to the development of Buck Sing Choy Lay Fut.
“Master Ku Yu Jeung”
Buck Sing is known for a fist technique created by Tarm Sarm called “Leen warn charp chui” (连环插捶, Continuous Inserting Fist), which allowed him to easily penetrate the defense of any opponent. This notable technique of continuous punching helped spread the fame of Buck Sing Choy Lay Fut in southern China and attracted many students to join the Buck Sing Gwoon. This sharp-knuckled punching technique and its variations, the development of its whirlwind striking power coupled with the fluidity and whip like action of its punches and kicks gave Buck Sing Choy Lay Fut its distinctive identity.
The art has his its unique snake techniques. Its described as a rocket punching style. Many of the full contact fighters throughout south east asia were Choy Lay Fut fighters. The renownwned 5 Black Panthers who fought in bare knuckle grudge matches against other kung fu pugilists, were all Buck Sing Fighters: Their names were: Kong Hing, Lai Hung, Chan Woo Leong, Dave Lacey and Vince Lacey,
THE BUCK SING FIGHTING ARTS
The experience Tarm Sarm gained in the many sparring matches with his fellow CLF brothers over the years and the numerous challenge/dueling matches with other kung fu fighters enabled Tarm Sarm to carefully analyze the effectiveness of his CLF techniques as well as examine its flaws. He became a true innovator of the fighting style he learnt and made good use of his combat experience to further improve his fighting skills and combat strategy. He realized that in combat he had to compete with time and space (the distance between him and his opponent and the time it’ll take to move in to close the gap quickly) and he accomplished that successfully with a lightning footwork call biu ma.
In order to have more extension and longer reach with his left and right straight pantherfist (charp chui) punches he made full use of his shoulders and waist and this helped generate more power. He also adopted the 180 degree side stance (peen sun) to give his opponent less target area to strike. He put his newfound strategy to use in sparring matches with his sihings (senior fellow students) and even his Hung Sing CLF teacher Lui Charn and none of them could beat him. When he later established his own school, the Buck Sing Gwoon in Guangzhou in a province called Siu Buck, his fame and great reputation attracted many followers. To honour their teacher Tarm Sarm’s martial arts achievements and his reputation as a famed fighting master, his loyal students respectfully referred to their CLF as “Buck Sing” after the school’s name.
In over 100 fighting matches Tarm Sarm was never defeated. With a new technique using the charp chui (pantherfist) punches in rapid succession Tarm Sarm was able to floor his opponents withing seconds of the fight.
In the 1960’s movie producers in Hong Kong wanted to make a movie on the life and martial arts legacy of Tarm Sarm (died 1942) but his son Tarm Fei Pang said no. He told them that no actor was good enough to play the role of his father and that it’ll only do him injustice!
Though the Buck Sing branch is part of the CLF family, the Buck Sing fighting arts is unique because of Tarm Sarm’s passion in devoting his time and efforts to improve on his own martial skills and fighting techniques and putting them to the test.
Training Philosophy & School Slogans
Tarm Sarm distilled his martial philosophy into memorable maxims:
“Extra inch, extra power.” This principle drove the explosive force behind his punches
His school’s couplet slogans, used to inspire students, read:
“Strike like a dragon extending its claws; turn around like a tiger raising its head.”
“Hands are like the wind blowing out a candle; footwork is like walking on clouds.”
Legacy & Lineage
Tarm Sarm’s fierce dedication forged a combat-focused, highly effective independent branch of Choy Lay Fut.
His School was know as The Buck Sing Gwoon and the style independently know as Buck Sing Choy Lay Fut.
Grandmaster Tarm Sarm passed away at the age of 69 due to an illness. He was survived by his son, Tam Fei Pang, who had a long list of disciples in Hong Kong. Film producers once approached Tarm Fei Pang with plans for a biopic for his father, it was ultimately not realized—his son felt no actor could do justice to the man himself.
“Grandmaster Tarm Fei Pang and Nick Lizos 1997”
Grandmaster Tarm Sarm had many notable students who spread the style to Hong Kong, Vancouver, and beyond, ensuring Buck Sing’s legacy lived on.
Among his students was formidable Master and Fighter Master Kong Oon. Master Kong Oon was succeeded by his son Master Kong Hing, who maintained their great reputation in Hong Kong.
Grandmaster Kong Hing and his Disciple Master Dave Lacey
Our Lineage from Grandmaster Tarm Sarm flows to his Disciple Kong Oon, who taught his son Kong Hing who then passed on the art to Master Dave Lacey and on to his Disciple Nick Lizos. Nick Lizos passed on the art to his Disciples Terry Ho and Chris Mercieca.
“Nick with his Sifu - Master General Dave Lacey”
Buck Sing Choy Lay Fut has its own unique training drills and fighting techniques that are exclusive to the Buck Sing Gwoon.
Buck Sing is readily distinguishable from all others. Tarm Sarm distinquished himself from all others.
