"BRUCE LEES TOUGHEST FIGHT" by Michael Dorgan ( ro! O icial "ara#e$ %&ly '()*+ Con,i-ering #he ,.

ill o #he o//onen#, an- #he co!/le#e ab,ence o re eree,$ r&le,$ an- ,a e#y e0&i/!en#$ i# 1a, one hell o a igh# #ha# #oo. /lace #ha# -ay in Dece!ber2 I# !ay ha3e been #he !o,# ,a3agely elegan# e4hibi#ion o &nar!e- co!ba# o #he cen#&ry2 5e#$ a# a #i!e 1hen #o/ igh#er, #en- #o -i,/lay #heir ,.ill, only in h&ge clo,e-6circ&i#e- arena,$ #hi, ba##le 1a, o&gh# in 3ir#&al ,ecrecy behin- loc.e- -oor,2 7n- a# a #i!e 1hen !illion, o -ollar, can ri-e on #he o&#co!e o a cha!/ion,hi/ igh#$ #he,e cha!/ion, o ano#her ,or# co!/e#e- no# or !oney$ b&# or !ore /er,onal an- /a,,iona#e rea,on,2 The #i!e 1a, la#e 1in#er$ '(89: #he ,e##ing 1a, a ,!all .&ng & ,chool in Oa.lan-$ Cali ornia2 ;oi,e- a# #he cen#er o #he roo!$ 1i#h a//ro4i!a#ely '9* /o&n-, /ac.e- #igh#ly on hi, <=" ra!e$ 1a, #he o/era#or o #he ,chool$ a >96year ol- !ar#ial ar#i,# o Chine,e ance,#ry b&# 7!erican bir#h 1ho$ 1i#hin a e1 year,$ 1o&l- ,.yroc.e# #o in#erna#ional a##en#ion a, a co!bina#ion igh#er? il! ,#ar2 7 e1 year, a #er #ha#$ a# age @>$ he 1o&l- -ie &n-er !y,#erio&, circ&!,#ance,2 Hi, na!e$ o co&r,e$ 1a, Br&ce Lee2 7l,o /oi,e- in #he cen#er o #he roo! 1a, ano#her !ar#ial ar#i,#2 Taller b&# ligh#er$ 1i#h hi, '@< /o&n-, ,#re#che- #hinly o3er <'*"$ #hi, igh#er 1a, al,o >9 an- al,o o Chine,e -e,cen#2 Born in Hong "ong an- reare- in #he ,o&#h o !ainlan- China$ he ha- only recen#ly arri3e- in San Franci,co, #ee!ing China#o1n$ A&,# acro,, #he bay ro! Oa.lan-2 Tho&gh o3er #he ne4# '< year, he 1o&l- beco!e 1i-ely .no1n in !ar#ial ar#, circle, an- 1o&l- #rain ,o!e o 7!erica, #o/ !ar#ial ar#i,#,$ he 1o&l- re#ain a near -i,-ain or /&blici#y an- #he co!!ercialiBa#ion o hi, ar#$ an- con,e0&en#ly 1o&l- re!ain &n.no1n #o #he general /&blic2 Hi, na!eC Dong %ac. Man2 Dha# ha//ene- a #er #he igh#er, a//roache- #he cen#er o #he roo! ha, beco!e a cha/#er o China#o1n, "1il- hi,#ory$" #ha# branch o Chine,e hi,#ory &,&ally anchore- in ac# b&# al1ay, richly e!belli,he- by an#a,y$ a hi,#ory #ha# #ell, !&ch abo&# a #i!e an- /lace 1i#h li##le #ha#, reliable abo&# any /ar#ic&lar inci-en#2 E4ac#ly ho1 #he igh# /rocee-e- an- A&,# 1ho 1on are ,#ill !a##er, o con#ro3er,y$ an- 1ill li.ely re!ain ,o2 B&# ro! #he e1 a3ailable ir,#han- acco&n#, an- o#her e3i-ence$ i# i, /o,,ible #o /iece #oge#her a rea,onably reliable /ic#&re #ha# re3eal, #1o o3erri-ing #r&#h,2 Fir,#$ con,i-ering #he ,.ill o #he o//onen#, an- #he co!/le#e ab,ence o re eree,$ r&le,$ an- ,a e#y e0&i/!en#$ i# 1a, one hell o a igh# #ha# #oo. /lace #ha# -ay in Dece!ber2 7n- ,econ-$ Br&ce Lee$ 1ho 1a, ,oon #o ri3al Mao T,e T&ng a, #he 1orl-, !o,# a!o&, Chine,e /er,onali#y$ 1a, -ra!a#ically a ec#e- by #he igh#$ /erha/, a#ally ,o2 D&e #o #he h&!an -e,ire #o be .no1n a, an eye 1i#ne,, #o a a!o&, e3en#$ i# i, ea,ier #o ob#ain ir,#han- acco&n#, o #he igh# ro! /er,on, 1ho 1ere no# #here #han ro! #ho,e 1ho 1ere2 7, #o ho1 !any /er,on, ac#&ally 3ie1e- #he con#e,#$ e3en #ha# i, a /oin# o -i,/&#e2 Br&ce Lee, 1i e Lin-a recall, a #o#al o '@ /er,on,$ incl&-ing her,el 2 B&# #he only /er,on #ha# ,he i-en#i ie, o#her #han her h&,ban- an- hi, a,,ocia#e %a!e, Lee$ 1ho -ie- o cancer ,hor#ly be ore her h&,ban- -ie-$ i, Dong %ac. Man2 Dong$ !ean1hile$ re!e!ber, only ,e3en /er,on, being /re,en#$ incl&-ing #he #hree Lee,2 O #he #hree /er,on, o#her #han #he Lee, an- hi!,el $ only one$ a #ai chi #eacher na!e- Dillia! Chen (no# #o be con &,e- 1i#h #he Dillia! Chi Cheng Chen 1ho #eache, #he ar# in Ee1 5or.+$ co&l- be loca#e-2 Chen recall, abo&# '< /er,on, being /re,en# b&# can i-en#i y none o#her #han Dong an- #he Lee,2 So e4ce/# or a ,.i!/y re erence #o #he igh# by Br&ce Lee hi!,el in a !agaBine in#er3ie1$ 1e

are le # 1i#h only #hree ir,#han- acco&n#, o #he ba##le2 They are acco&n#, 1hich 3ary 1i-ely2 Lin-a Lee$ in her boo. Br&ce LeeC The Man Only I "ne1$ ini#ially -i,!i,,e, #he igh# a, ollo1,C "The #1o ca!e o&#$ bo1e- or!ally an- #hen began #o igh#2 Dong a-o/#e- a cla,,ic ,#ance 1herea, Br&ce$ 1ho a# #he #i!e 1a, ,#ill &,ing hi, Ding Ch&n ,#yle$ /ro-&ce- a ,erie, o ,#raigh# /&nche,2 "Di#hin a !in&#e$ Dong, !en 1ere #rying #o ,#o/ #he igh# a, Br&ce began #o 1ar! #o hi, #a,.2 %a!e, Lee 1arne#he! #o le# #he igh# con#in&e2 7 !in&#e la#er$ 1i#h Br&ce con#in&ing #he a##ac. in earne,#$ Dong began #o bac./e-al a, a,# a, he co&l-2 For an in,#an#$ in-ee-$ #he ,cra/ #hrea#ene- #o -egenera#e in#o a arce a, Dong ac#&ally #&rne- an- ran2 B&# Br&ce /o&nce- on hi! li.e a ,/ringing leo/ar- an- bro&gh# hi! #o #he loor 1here he began /o&n-ing hi! in#o a ,#a#e o -e!oraliBa#ion2 "I, #ha# eno&ghF" ,ho&#e- Br&ce2 "Tha#, eno&ghG" /lea-e- Dong in -e,/era#ion2 So #he en#ire !a##er 1a, A&,# ano#her 0&ic. #ri&!/h or #he !an 1ho re0&en#ly boa,#ehe co&l- 1hi/ any !an in #he 1orl-2 Or 1a, i#F La#er in her boo.$ Lin-a Lee hin#, #ha# #he igh# !ay ha3e a!o&n#e- #o !ore #han #he brie !o!en# o 3iolen# -i3er,ion ,he ha- earlier -e,cribe-2 "Br&ce, 1hole li e 1a, an e3ol3ing /roce,, 6 an- #hi, 1a, ne3er ,een #o grea#er e ec# #han in hi, 1or. 1i#h #he !ar#ial ar#,$" ,he begin,2 "The cla,h 1i#h Dong %ac. Man !e#a!or/ho,e- hi, o1n /er,onal e4/re,,ion o .&ng &2 Un#il #hi, ba##le$ he ha- largely been con#en# #o i!/ro3i,e an- e4/an- on hi, original Ding Ch&n ,#yle$ b&# #hen he ,&--enly realiBe- #ha# al#ho&gh he ha- 1on co!/ara#i3ely ea,ily$ hi, /er or!ance ha- been nei#her cri,/ nor e icien#2 The igh#$ he realiBe-$ o&gh# #o ha3e en-e- 1i#hin a e1 ,econ-, o hi! ,#ri.ing #he ir,# blo1, 6 in,#ea- o 1hich i# ha- -ragge- on or #hree !in&#e,2 In a--i#ion$ a# #he en-$ Br&ce ha- el# &n&,&ally 1in-e- 1hich /ro3e- #o hi! he 1a, ar ro! /er ec# con-i#ion2 So he began #o -i,,ec# #he igh#$ analyBing 1here he ha- gone 1rong an- ,ee.ing #o in1ay, 1here he co&l- ha3e i!/ro3e- hi, /er or!ance2 I# -i- no# #a.e hi! long #o realiBe #ha# #he ba,i, o hi, igh#ing ar#$ #he Ding Ch&n ,#yle$ 1a, in,& icien#2 I# lai#oo !&ch ,#re,, on han- #echni0&e,$ ha- 3ery e1 .ic.ing #echni0&e, an- 1a,$ e,,en#ially$ /ar#ial2" S#ill la#er in #he boo.$ Lin-a Lee a--,C "The Dong %ac. Man igh# al,o ca&,e- Br&ce #o in#en,i y hi, #raining !e#ho-,2 Fro! #ha# -a#e$ he began #o ,ee. o&# !ore an- !ore ,o/hi,#ica#e- an- e4ha&,#i3e #raining !e#ho-,2 I ,hall #ry #o e4/lain #he,e in grea#er -e#ail la#er$ b&# in general #he ne1 or!, o #raining !ean# #ha# Br&ce 1a, al1ay, -oing ,o!e#hing$ al1ay, #raining ,o!e /ar# o hi, bo-y or .ee/ing i# in con-i#ion2" Dhe#her Br&ce Lee, in#en,i ie- #raining 1a, #o hi, bene i# or #o hi, -e,#r&c#ion i, a !a##er #o be -i,c&,,e- la#er2 For no1$ !erely le# i# be ob,er3e- #ha# #he allege-ly in,igni ican# ",cra/" -e,cribe- early by Lin-a Lee ha, no1 been i-en#i ie- by her a, ca&,e or her h&,ban- #o in#en,i y hi, #raining an- ,er3e, a, #he /i3o#al rea,on or hi, aban-oning #he igh#ing ,#yle he ha- /rac#ice- religio&,ly or !ore #han '* year,2 Tha# #he igh# 1i#h Dong 1a, #he rea,on Lee 0&i#$ an- #hen la#er re/&-ia#e- #he Ding Ch&n ,#yle$ 1a, con ir!e- by Lee hi!,el in an in#er3ie1 1i#h Blac. Bel#2 "I- go##en in#o a igh# in San Franci,co (a re erence$ no -o&b#$ #o #he Bay 7rea ra#her #han #he ci#y+ 1i#h a "&ng6F& ca#$ an- a #er a brie enco&n#er #he ,on6o 6a6bi#ch ,#ar#e- #o r&n2 I cha,e- hi! an-$ li.e a ool$ .e/# /&nching hi! behin- hi, hea- an- bac.2 Soon !y

i,#, began #o ,1ell ro! hi##ing hi, har- hea-2 Righ# #hen I realiBe- Ding Ch&n 1a, no# #oo /rac#ical an- began #o al#er !y 1ay o igh#ing2" For #ho,e 1ho ha3e -i ic&l#y belie3ing #ha# a 0&ic. i cl&!,y 3ic#ory o3er a 1or#hy o//onen# 1a, ,& icien# rea,on or Lee #o aban-on a igh#ing ,#yle #ha# ha- ,een hi! #hro&gh -oBen, o 3icio&, ,#ree# igh#, a, a yo&#h in Hong "ong$ 1here hi, a!ily ha!o3e- ,hor#ly a #er hi, bir#h in San Franci,co$ a !ore ,&b,#an#ial rea,on or Lee #o change ,#yle, can be o&n- in #he acco&n# o #he igh# gi3en by Dong %ac. Man2 7ccor-ing #o Dong$ #he ba##le began 1i#h hi! bo1ing an- o ering hi, han- #o Lee in #he #ra-i#ional !anner o o/ening a !a#ch2 Lee$ he ,ay$ re,/on-e- by /re#en-ing #o e4#en- a rien-ly han- only #o ,&--enly #ran, or! #he han- in#o a o&r6/ronge- ,/ear ai!e- a# Dong, eye,2 "Tha# o/ening !o3e$" ,ay, Dong$ ",e# #he #one or Lee, igh#2" Ding Ch&n ha, b&# #hree ,e#,$ #he ,olo e4erci,e, 1hich con#ain #he &ll bo-y o #echni0&e o any ,#yle$ an- one o #ho,e ,e#, i, -e3o#e- #o -ea-ly Aabbing an- go&ging a##ac., -irec#e/ri!arily a# #he eye, an- #hroa#2 "I# 1a, #ho,e #echni0&e,$" ,ay Dong$ "1hich Lee &,e- !o,#2" There 1ere l&rrie, o ,#raigh# /&nche, an- re/ea#e- .ic., a# hi, groin$ a--, Dong$ b&# !o,#ly$ relen#le,,ly$ #here 1ere #ho,e -ar#ing -ea-ly inger #i/, #rying #o /o.e o&# hi, eye, or /&nc#&re hi, #hroa#2 7n- 1ha# he ,ay he an#ici/a#e- a, ,erio&, b&# ,/or#,!anly co!/ari,on o ,.ill ,&--enly beca!e an e4erci,e in -e en-ing hi, li e2 Dong ,ay, #ha# be ore #he igh# began Lee re!ar.e-$ in re erence #o a !&#&al ac0&ain#ance 1ho ha- hel/e- in,#iga#e #he !a#ch$ "5o&3e been .ille- by yo&r rien-2" Shor#ly a #er #he bo&# co!!ence-$ he a--,$ he realiBe- Lee, 1or-, ha- been ,ai- in earne,#2 "He really 1an#e- #o .ill !e$" ,ay, Dong2 In con#ra,# #o Lee, #hree Ding Ch&n ,e#,$ Dong$ a, #he gran- !a,#er o #he Eor#hern Shaolin ,#yle$ .ne1 -oBen,2 B&# !o,# o 1ha# he &,e- again,# Lee$ ,ay, Dong$ 1a, -e en,i3e2 Dong ,ay, he /arrie- Lee, .ic., 1i#h hi, leg, 1hile &,ing hi, han- an- ar!, #o /ro#ec# hi, hea- an- #or,o$ only occa,ionally -eli3ering a ,#inging blo1 #o Lee, hea- or bo-y2 He o&gh# -e en,i3ely$ e4/lain, Dong$ in /ar# beca&,e o Lee, relen#le,, aggre,,i3e ,#ra#egy$ an- in /ar# beca&,e he eare- #he con,e0&ence, o re,/on-ing in .in- #o Lee, a##e!/# #o .ill hi!2 In /re6Re3ol&#ionary China$ igh#, #o #he ini,h 1ere o #en allo1e- by la1$ b&# Dong .ne1 #ha# in !o-ern6-ay 7!erica$ a cri//ling or .illing blo1$ 1hile 1inning a 3ic#ory$ !igh# al,o 1in hi! a Aail ,en#ence2 Tha#$ ,ay, Dong$ i, 1hy he aile- #o -eli3er a -e3a,#a#ing righ#6han- blo1 on any o #he #hree occa,ion, he ha- Lee, hea- loc.e- &n-er hi, le # ar!2 In,#ea-$ he ,ay,$ he relea,e- hi, o//onen# each #i!e$ only #o ha3e an e3en !ore enrage- Br&ce Lee /re,, on 1i#h hi, &rio&, a##ac.2 "He 1o&l- ne3er ,ay he lo,# &n#il yo& .ille- hi!$" ,ay, Dong2 7n- -e,/i#e hi, concern 1i#h #he legal con,e0&ence,$ Dong ,ay, #ha# .illing Lee i, ,o!e#hing he began #o con,i-er2 "I re!e!ber #hin.ing$ HI he inA&re, !e$ i he really h&r#, !e$ Ill ha3e #o .ill hi!2"

B&# accor-ing #o Dong$ be ore #ha# nee- aro,e$ #he igh# ha- en-e-$ -&e !ore #o 1ha# Lin-a Lee -e,cribe- a, Lee, "&n&,&ally 1in-e-" con-i#ion #han #o a -eci,i3e blo1 by ei#her o//onen#2 "I# ha- la,#e-$" ,ay, Dong$ "a# lea,# >* !in&#e,$ !aybe ><2" Tho&gh Dillia! Chen, recollec#ion, o #he igh# are 3ag&er #han #he o#her #1o acco&n#,$ #hey are !ore in align!en# 1i#h Dong, #han Lee,2 On #he 0&e,#ion o -&ra#ion$ or e4a!/le$ Chen$ li.e Dong$ re!e!ber, #he igh# con#in&ing or ">* or >< !in&#e,2" 7l,o$ he canno# recall ei#her !an being .noc.e- -o1n2 "Cer#ainly$" he ,ay,$ "Dong 1a, no# bro&gh# #o #he loor an- /o&n-e- in#o a H,#a#e o -e!oraliBa#ion2" Regar-ing Dong, clai! #ha# #hree #i!e, he ha- Lee, hea- loc.e- &n-er hi, ar!$ Chen ,ay, he can nei#her con ir! nor -eny i#2 He re!e!ber, #he igh#er, Aoining on ,e3eral occa,ion,$ b&# he co&l- no# ,ee 3ery clearly 1ha# 1a, ha//ening a# #ho,e !o!en#,2 Chen -e,cribe, #he o&#co!e o #he ba##le a, "a #ie2" He a--,$ ho1e3er$ #ha# 1herea, an enrage- Br&ce Lee ha- charge- Dong "li.e a !a- b&ll$" ob3io&,ly in#en# &/on -oing hi! ,erio&, inA&ry2 Dong ha- -i,/laye- e4#raor-inary re,#rain# by ne3er e!/loying 1ha# 1ere /erha/, hi, !o,# -angero&, 1ea/on, 6 hi, -e3a,#a#ing .ic.,2 7 /rinci/al -i erence be#1een nor#hern an- ,o&#hern Chine,e igh#ing ,#yle, i, #ha# #he nor#hern ,#yle, gi3e !&ch !ore e!/ha,i, #o .ic.ing$ an- Eor#hern Shaolin haar!e- Dong 1i#h .ic., o blin-ing ,/ee-, an- cr&,hing /o1er2 B&# be ore #he igh#$ recall, Chen$ "Si & Dong ,ai- he 1o&l- no# &,e hi, .ic.,: he #ho&gh# #hey 1ere #oo -angero&,2" 7n- -e,/i#e #he -angero&, -e3elo/!en#, #ha# ollo1e- #ha# /le-ge$ Chen a--, #ha# Dong ".e/# hi, 1or-2" Tho&gh Chen, recollec#ion, e4ha&,# #he ir,#hanacco&n#,$ #here are &r#her rag!en#, o e3i-ence #o in-ica#e ho1 #he igh# en-e-2 Ming L&!$ 1ho 1a, #hen a San Franci,co !ar#ial ar#, /ro!o#er$ ,ay, he -i- no# a##en- #he igh# beca&,e he 1a, a rien- o bo#h Lee an- Dong$ an- eare- #ha# a ba##le be#1een #he! 1o&l- en- in ,erio&, inA&ry$ !aybe e3en -ea#h2 "Dho$" he a,.,$ "1o&l- ha3e ,#o//e- #he!F" B&# L&! -i- ,ee Dong #he 3ery ne4# -ay a# #he %ac.,on Ca e$ 1here #he yo&ng gran- !a,#er earne- hi, li3ing a, a 1ai#er (he ha-$ in ac#$ 1or.e- a &ll ,hi # a# #he b&,y China#o1n re,#a&ran# #he /re3io&, -ay be ore igh#ing Lee+2 7n- L&! ,ay, #he only e3i-ence he ,a1 o #he igh# 1a, a ,cra#ch abo3e one eye$ a ,cra#ch Dong ,ay, 1a, in lic#e- 1hen Lee 1en# or hi, eye, a, he e4#en-e- hi, ar! or #he o/ening han-,ha.e2 "So!e /eo/le ,ay Br&ce Lee bea# &/ %ac. Man ba-$" no#e L&!2 "B&# i he ha-$ #he !an 1o&l- no# ha3e been #o 1or. #he ne4# -ay2" By L&!, a,,e,,!en#$ #he ac# #ha# nei#her !an ,& ere- ,erio&, inA&ry in a no6hol-,6barre- ba##le in-ica#e, #ha# bo#h 1ere "3ery$ 3ery goo-2" Bo#h !en 1ere no -o&b#$ 3ery$ 3ery$ goo-2 B&# Dong$ a #er #he igh#$ el# co!/elle- #o a,,er#$ bol-ly an- /&blicly$ #ha# he 1a, #he be##er o #he #1o2 He -i- ,o$ he ,ay,$ only beca&,e Lee 3iola#e- #heir agree!en# #o no# -i,c&,, #he igh#2 7ccor-ing #o Dong$ i!!e-ia#ely ollo1ing #he !a#ch Lee ha- a,.e- #ha# nei#her !an -i,c&,, i#2 Di,c&,,ion 1o&l- lea- #o !ore arg&!en# o3er 1ho ha- 1on a !a##er 1hich co&l- ne3er be re,ol3e- a, #here ha- been no A&-ge,2 Dong ,ai- he agree-2

B&# 1i#hin a co&/le o 1ee.,$ he ,ay,$ Lee 3iola#e- #he agree!en# by clai!ing in an in#er3ie1 #ha# he ha- -e ea#e- an &nna!e- challenger2 Tho&gh Lee ha- no# i-en#i ieDong a, #he lo,er$ Dong ,ay, i# 1a, ob3io&, #o all o China#o1n #ha# Lee 1a, ,/ea.ing o Dong2 I# ha- alrea-y beco!e co!!on .no1le-ge 1i#hin #he Chine,e co!!&ni#y #ha# #he #1o ha- o&gh#2 In re,/on,e #o Lee, in#er3ie1$ Dong 1ro#e a -e#aile- -e,cri/#ion o #he igh# 1hich concl&-e- 1i#h an o/en in3i#a#ion #o Lee #o !ee# hi! or a /&blic bo&# i Lee 1a, no# ,a#i, ie- 1i#h Dong, acco&n#2 Dong, 3er,ion o #he igh#$ along 1i#h #he challenge$ 1a, r&n a, #he #o/ ,#ory on #he ron# /age o San Franci,co, Chine,e lang&age Chine,e ;aci ic Dee.ly2 B&# Br&ce Lee$ -e,/i#e hi, re/&#a#ion or re,/on-ing 1i#h i,#, o &ry #o #he ,ligh#e,# /ro3oca#ion$ re!aine- ,ilen#2 Eo1 -ea#h ha, ren-ere- #he !an ore3er ,ilen#2 7n- #he 0&e,#ion o 1he#her Dong /re,en#e- Lee$ 1ho i, con,i-ere- by !any #o ha3e been #he 1orl-, #o/ !ar#ial ar#i,#$ 1i#h #he only -e ea# o hi, a-&l# li e 1ill re!ain$ a!ong #ho,e concerne- abo&# ,&ch !a##er,$ ore3er a con#ro3er,ial one2 E3en #ho,e Br&ce Lee an, 1ho acce/# #he e3i-ence a, ,&//or#i3e o Dong, acco&n# o #he igh# !ay arg&e #ha# #he o&#co!e 1o&l- ha3e been -i eren# ha- #he #1o ba##le- a e1 year, a #er Lee ha- -e3elo/e- hi, o1n ,#yle$ %ee# "&ne Do2 B&# 1hile i# i, #r&e #ha# %ee# "&ne D& /ro3i-e- lee 1i#h a 1i-er range o 1ea/on,$ /ar#ic&larly .ic.,$ i# i, al,o #r&e #ha# Dong con#in&e- #o gro1 a, a !ar#ial ar#i,# a #er #he igh#2 Only a #er #ha# ba##le$ ,ay, Dong$ -i- he -e3elo/ #re!en-o&, chi /o1er, ro! #he /rac#ice o Tai Chi$ H,ing I$ an- ;a.&a2 Mar#ial ar# ,#yle, can be -i3i-e- ro&ghly in#o #1o ca#egorie,C e4#ernal an- in#ernal2 E4#ernal ,#yle,$ 1hich are al,o calle- "har-" ,#yle, an- 1hich incl&-e ,&ch 7!erican a3ori#e, a, %a/ane,e .ara#e an- "orean #ae.1on-o$ rely /ri!arily &/on !&,c&lar ,#reng#h$ 1hile in#ernal or ",o #" ,#yle,$ ,&ch a, %a/ane,e 7i.i-o an- #he #hree abo3e6 !en#ione- Chine,e ,#yle,$ c&l#i3a#e a !ore !y,#erio&, energy calle- chi2 7l#ho&gh e3erybo-y ha, chi$ e1 /eo/le ha3e !&ch o i#$ an- e1er ,#ill .no1 ho1 #o e4/re,, i#2 B&# accor-ing #o #he Chine,e$ #hi, /recio&, eli4ir can be c&l#i3a#e- ancon#rolle- #hro&gh #he e4erci,e, o #he in#ernal !ar#ial ar#, ,#yle,2 S/eci ically$ #hey ,ay chi can be bre1e- in #he #an #ien$ a ,/o# abo&# an inch belo1 #he na3el2 Once #he #an #ien i, ille-$ #he chi ,&//o,e-ly ,/ill, o&# in#o o#her /ar#, o #he bo-y$ 1here i# i, ,#ore- in #he !arro1 o #he bone,2 I# i, ,ai- #ha# a, a !ar#ial ar#i,# -e3elo/, chi energy$ hi, bone, beco!e har-$ hi, ,ine1, #o&gh$ i, !&,cle, ,&//le anrela4e-$ 1hich allo1 #he chi #o circ&la#e reely #hro&gh #he bo-y2 Chi &,&ally #a.e, !&ch longer #o -e3elo/ #han !&,c&lar ,#reng#h$ b&# i# i, con,i-erea !&ch !ore or!i-able energy2 In nor!al #i!e, i# i, ,ai- #o ,er3e a, a ,o&rce o e4#raor-inary 3i#ali#y an- a, a g&ar-ian again,# !any -i,ea,e,2 7n- in ba##le$ i# i, ,ai#o /ro3i-e a /er,on 1i#h a1e,o!e /o1er an- near in3&lnerabili#y2 Tho&gh Dong ha- been #raine- in #he in#ernal ,#yle, 1hile ,#ill in China$ &/ &n#il #he #i!e he o&gh# Lee he ha- concen#ra#e- !ainly on #he re ine!en# o hi, elegan#ly a#hle#ic Eor#hern Shaolin$ 1hich$ li.e Lee, Ding Ch&n$ i, an e4#ernal ,#yle2 Follo1ing #he ba##le 1i#h Lee$ Dong 1o&l- #rain in #he in#ernal ,#yle, &n#il he ha-e3elo/e- ,&ch chi /o1er #ha# he can$ accor-ing #o ;e#er Ral,#on$ a or!er ,#&-en# o Dong an- #he ir,# non67,ian #o 1in #he Chine,e Mar#ial 7r#, Dorl- Cha!/ion,hi/,

in Tai1an$ #a.e a /&nch #o any /ar# o hi, bo-y 1i#ho&# inA&ry or e3en -i,co! or#2 7, or Dong, o en,i3e ca/abili#ie,$ #hey ha3e a//aren#ly ne3er been #e,#e-2 Regar-ing #he 0&e,#ion o ho1 !&ch Lee gre1 a, a !ar#ial ar#i,# a #er #he igh#$ Dong i, con3ince- #ha# #he bene i#, #o Lee ro! hi, ho!e!a-e ,#yle 1ere !ore #han o ,e# by #he -a!age i# -i- hi!2 Dong e3en goe, ,o ar a, #o ,/ec&la#e #ha# %ee# "&ne Do !ay ha3e ca&,e- Lee, -ea#h2 Mo,# !ar#ial ar#, !a,#er, agree #ha# A&,# a, ,erio&, #raining in a /ro/er !e#ho- can grea#ly i!/ro3e one, heal#h$ ,#ren&o&, an- /rolonge- #raining in an i!/ro/er !e#hocan -e,#roy heal#h2 O #he heal#h -a!age i, a##rib&#e- #o i!/ro/er brea#hing /rac#ice,$ an- o #en #he -a!age i, #o #he brain2 S/ecial &,e o #he brea#h i, ac.no1le-ge- by e3ery !ar#ial ar#, ,#yle a, a .ey ele!en# #o -e3elo/ing /o1er$ #ho&gh -i eren# ,#yle, ha3e -i eren# brea#hing !e#ho-,2 ;ro/er !e#ho-, can be ,i!/ly ca#egoriBe- a, #ho,e 1hich -e3elo/ /o1er 1hile b&il-ing heal#h$ an- i!/ro/er !e#ho-, a, #ho,e 1hich ei#her ail #o b&il- /o1er or b&il- i# b&# a# #he e4/en,e o one, heal#h2 Tho&gh !any o #he 1ay, in 1hich brea#hing !e#ho-, a ec# heal#h re!ain !y,#erio&,$ #he !e#ho-, #he!,el3e, 6 a# lea,# #he /ro/er !e#ho-, 6 ha3e been e!/irically re ine- o3er !any genera#ion,2 Dong, Eor#hern Shaolin$ or e4a!/le$ can be #race- bac. #o #he grea# Shaolin Te!/le o !ore #han a #ho&,an- year, ago$ 1hich i, con,i-ere- #he ,o&rce o Chine,e !ar#ial ar#,2 Dhile #he Ding Ch&n /rac#ice- by Lee &n#il hi, igh# 1i#h Dong al,o ha- a long /erio- o -e3elo/!en# an- re ine!en#$ #he ,#yle he /&# #oge#her a #er #he igh# 1a, a cho/ ,&ey o !any an- 3arie- ingre-ien#,2 Tha# %ee# "&ne Do lac.e- #he cohe,ion an- har!ony o a ,#yle in #he #ra-i#ional ,en,e 1a, ,o!e#hing ac.no1le-ge- by Lee hi!,el $ 1ho /re erre- #o call i# a ",o/hi,#ica#eor! o ,#ree# igh#ing" ra#her #han a ,#yle2 7 #er aban-oning Ding Chin$ Lee -e3elo/e- a -i,-ain or all #ra-i#ional ,#yle,$ 1hich he con,i-ere- re,#ric#i3e anine ec#i3e2 He e3en 1en# ,o ar a, #o /lace o&#,i-e hi, ,chool a !oc. #o!b,#one #ha# rea-C "In !e!ory o a once l&i- !an cra!!e- an- -i,#or#e- by #he cla,,ical !e,,2" I# i, gri!ly ironic #ha# i# 1o&l- be Lee 1o&l- be in nee- o a #o!b,#one long be ore #he !an$ #raine- by an- loyal #o #he "cla,,ical !e,,$" 1ho 1a, al!o,# cer#ainly hi, !o,# or!i-able o//onen#2 I# canno# be /ro3en$ o co&r,e$ #ha# Lee, a#al e-e!a o #he brain 1a, ca&,e- by %ee# "&ne Do$ A&,# a, i# co&l- no# be /ro3en hi, -ea#h 1a, bro&gh# on by any o #he o#her r&!ore- ca&,e, ranging ro! illici# -r&g, #o e4ce,,i3e ,e4 #o blo1, on #he hea-2 Dong #hin.,$ #o ,er3e a, a ca&#ion #o #ho,e 1ho belie3e #hey can$ by #he!,el3e,$ -e3elo/ #he .no1le-ge i# ha, #a.en o#her, !any genera#ion, o c&!&la#i3e e or# #o ac0&ire2 ;erha/, i# i, beca&,e he gi3e, ,o !&ch cre-i# #o #ho,e 1ho ca!e be ore hi! #ha# Dong, 3oice i, ab,en# o boa,# 1hen he ,ay, hi, ar# 1a, ,&/erior #o Lee,2 B&# 1hile #o hi! #ha# i, a !a##er o ,i!/le ac#$ Dong$ a1are #ha# legen-, are larger #han !en$ i, no# o/#i!i,#ic abo&# e3er being acce/#e- a, #he 1inner o #he igh#2 He ,ay,$ ho1e3er$ #ha# 1ha# /eo/le #hin. regar-ing #he o&#co!e o #he igh# i, le,, i!/or#an# #o hi! #han 1ha# #hey #hin. /ro3o.e- #he ba##le in #he ir,# /lace2 In Lin-a Lee, acco&n#$ 1hich ha, been re/ea#e- in a n&!ber o Br&ce Lee biogra/hie,$ Dong i, /or#raye- no# only a, a lo,er b&# al,o a, a 3illian2 7ccor-ing #o

M,2 Lee$ Dong /ro3o.e- #he igh# in an a##e!/# #o orce her h&,ban- #o ,#o/ #eaching "&ng F& #o Ca&ca,ian,2 7 #er ,.e#ching a brie hi,#ory o Chine,e !ar#ial ar#, &/ #o #he Bo4er Rebellion$ ,he 1ri#e,C "Since #hen 6 an- #he a##i#&-e i, &n-er,#an-able 6 Chine,e$ /ar#ic&larly in 7!erica$ ha3e been rel&c#an# #o -i,clo,e #he,e ,ecre#, #o Ca&ca,ian,2 I# beca!e an &n1ri##en la1 #ha# #he ar# ,ho&l- be #a&gh# only #o Chine,e2 Br&ce con,i-ere- ,&ch #hin.ing co!/le#ely o&#!o-e- an- 1hen i# 1a, arg&e- #ha# 1hi#e !en$ i #a&gh# #he ,ecre#,$ 1o&l- &,e #he ar# #o inA&re #he Chine,e$ he /oin#e- o&# #ha# i a 1hi#e !an really 1an#e- #o inA&re a Chine,e$ #here 1ere /len#y o o#her 1ay, he co&l- -o i#2 "Ho1e3er$ Br&ce ,oon o&n- #ha# a# ir,# hi, 3ie1, 1ere no# ,hare- by !e!ber, o #he Chine,e co!!&ni#y in San Franci,co$ /ar#ic&larly #ho,e in !ar#ial ar#, circle,2 Se3eral !on#h, a #er he an- %a!e, Lee ha- beg&n #eaching$ a .&ng & e4/er# calleDong %ac. Man #&rne- &/ a# Br&ce, .1oon (,chool+ on Broa-1ay2 Dong ha- A&,# recen#ly arri3e- in San Franci,co, China#o1n ro! Hong "ong an- 1a, ,ee.ing #o e,#abli,h hi!,el a# #he #i!e$ all hi, /&/il, being ,#ric#ly /&re Chine,e2 Three o#her Chine,e acco!/anie- Dong %ac. Man 1ho han-e- Br&ce an orna#e ,croll 1hich a//ear, #o ha3e been an &l#i!a#&! ro! #he San Franci,co !ar#ial ar#, co!!&ni#y2 ;re,&!ably$ i Br&ce lo,# #he challenge$ he 1a, ei#her #o clo,e -o1n hi, In,#i#&#e or ,#o/ #eaching Ca&ca,ian,2" So by Lin-a Lee, acco&n#$ her h&,ban- ha- ,&--enly o&n- hi!,el in a /o,i#ion no le,, heroic #han o ha3ing #o -e en-$ /o,,ibly #o #he -ea#h$ #he righ# #o #each Ca&ca,ian, #he ancien# Chine,e igh#ing ,ecre#,2 I# i, a no#ion #ha# Dong in-, ri-ic&lo&,2 The rea,on he ,ho1e- &/ a# Lee, ,chool #ha# -ay$ ,ay, Dong$ i, beca&,e a !&#&al ac0&ain#ance ha- han-6-eli3ere- a no#e ro! Lee in3i#ing hi! #o igh#2 The no#e 1a, ,en#$ ,ay Dong$ a #er he ha- re0&e,#e- a /&blic bo&# 1i#h Lee a #er Lee ha- boa,#e-&ring a -e!on,#ra#ion a# a China#o1n #hea#er #ha# he co&l- bea# any !ar#ial ar#i,# in San Franci,co an- ha- i,,&e- an o/en challenge #o igh# anyone 1ho #ho&gh# he co&l/ro3e hi! 1rong2 7, or #ho,e in a##en-ance a# #he igh#$ Dong ,ay, he only .ne1 o e1 o #he!$ an- #ho,e barely2 Cer#ainly$ he ,ay,$ no gro&/ ha- co!e a, or!al re/re,en#a#i3e o #he San Franci,co !ar#ial ar#, co!!&ni#y2 Dong a##rib&#e, bo#h Lee, ini#ial challenge an- hi, re,/on,e #o #he ,a!e e!o#ion$ #o arrogance2 "I I ha- i# #o -o o3er$" he ,ay,$ II 1o&l-n#2" B&# 1hile a-!i##ing #o yo&#h &l arrogance$ Dong ,#rongly con#e,#, Lin-a Lee, allega#ion #ha# he 1a, g&il#y o #rying #o ,#o/ Br&ce Lee ro! #eaching Ca&ca,ian,2 I# i, #r&e$ ,ay Dong$ #ha# !o,# 6 b&# no# all 6 o hi, ,#&-en#, -&ring hi, ir,# year, #eaching 1ere Chine,e2 B&# #ha# 1a, #r&e$ he a--,$ only beca&,e e1 7!erican, o&#,i-e o Chine,e co!!&ni#ie, ha- e3en hear- o .&ng &2 7!erican, 1ho #hen .ne1 any#hing a# all o #he !ar#ial ar#, !o,# li.ely .ne1 o %a/ane,e A&-o or .ara#e2 They 1o&l- no# hear o .&ng & &n#il ,e3eral year, la#er$ 1hen i# 1o&l- be !a-e a!o&, by #he -aBBling choreogra/hyJ, o Br&ce Lee2 Far ro! a##e!/#ing #o .ee/ .&ng & ,ecre# an- e4cl&,i3e$ Dong ob,er3e, #ha# hi, 1a, #he ir,# ,chool in San Franci,co, China#o1n #o o/era#e 1i#h o/en -oor,2 Tha# #he o#her .&ng & ,chool, #hen in e4i,#ence con-&c#e- cla,,e, behin- loc.e- -oor, 1a,

-&e !ore #o #he in,#r&c#or, ear, o being challenge-$ ,ay Dong$ #han #o a re &,al #o #each Ca&ca,ian,2 Once Ca&ca,ian, beca!e in#ere,#e- in .&ng &$ i# 1o&l- be Dong 1ho 1o&l- #rain ,o!e o #he be,# o #he!$ incl&-ing Ral,#on an- ,e3eral o#her lea-ing De,# Coa,# in,#r&c#or,2 7n- all o #he,e ,#&-en#, o Dong 1ho c&rren#ly #eache, a# San Franci,co, For# Ma,on Cen#er 1o&l- be #a&gh# or a !on#hly ee a!o&n#ing #o a rac#ion o #he ho&rly ra#e (in ,o!e ca,e, K<**+ charge- by #he !an 1ho allege-ly o&gh# or #he righ# #o #each #he!2