Peter Chong (karateka)
Encyclopedia
Peter Chong, PBM
(born 1941) is a Kyokushin karate master and a former Assistant Superintendent of Police in Singapore. He is the International Committee Chairman for Asia and the Middle East in the International Karate Organization
founded by Masutatsu Oyama (1923–1994) and now led by Shokei Matsui
.
and was a judo instructor in the Singapore Police Force
. In 1965, Chong sailed to Japan to train under Mas Oyama, without informing either his wife or his father of his intentions. He attained the ranks of 3rd dan in 1968 and 4th dan in 1972. At some point after 1968, Chong established his own dojo
, which was not registered with the Singapore Karate Association. Chong had attained 5th dan by 1975, and was at that rank until at least 1979. Chong was responsible for training Inamullah Khan, pioneer of Kyokushin karate in Pakistan.
In 1988, Chong received the Pingat Bakti Masyarakat
(Public Service Medal) from Teng Cheong Ong
, then Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, for services to the martial arts. Chong is currently ranked 8th dan in Kyokushin karate, and was promoted to that rank in 1999.
Pingat Bakti Masyarakat
The Pingat Bakti Masyarakat was instituted in 1973. The medal may be awarded to any person who has rendered commendable public service in Singapore or for his achievement in the field of arts and letters, sports, the sciences, business, the professions and the labour movement.Recipients are...
(born 1941) is a Kyokushin karate master and a former Assistant Superintendent of Police in Singapore. He is the International Committee Chairman for Asia and the Middle East in the International Karate Organization
International Karate Organization
The International Karate Organization was founded by Mas Oyama in Japan. Its purpose is to promote and teach the Kyokushin Way around the globe...
founded by Masutatsu Oyama (1923–1994) and now led by Shokei Matsui
Shokei Matsui
, also known by his Korean name of Moon Jang Gyu , is a master of Kyokushin karate and current Kancho of one faction of the International Karate Organization founded by Mas Oyama ....
.
Early life
Chong was born as Chong Seh Jam in 1941 in Singapore. As a boy, he was bullied by his classmates. Chong began training in martial arts under his father in 1955, at the age of 14, but the training stopped when his father adopted a non-violent philosophy due to its perceived conflict with his new Roman Catholic faith.Career
Prior to studying Kyokushin karate, Chong had practised judoJudo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
and was a judo instructor in the Singapore Police Force
Singapore Police Force
The Singapore Police Force is the main agency tasked with maintaining law and order in the city-state. Formerly known as the Republic of Singapore Police , it has grown from an 11-man organisation to a 38,587 strong force...
. In 1965, Chong sailed to Japan to train under Mas Oyama, without informing either his wife or his father of his intentions. He attained the ranks of 3rd dan in 1968 and 4th dan in 1972. At some point after 1968, Chong established his own dojo
Dojo
A is a Japanese term which literally means "place of the way". Initially, dōjōs were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to...
, which was not registered with the Singapore Karate Association. Chong had attained 5th dan by 1975, and was at that rank until at least 1979. Chong was responsible for training Inamullah Khan, pioneer of Kyokushin karate in Pakistan.
In 1988, Chong received the Pingat Bakti Masyarakat
Pingat Bakti Masyarakat
The Pingat Bakti Masyarakat was instituted in 1973. The medal may be awarded to any person who has rendered commendable public service in Singapore or for his achievement in the field of arts and letters, sports, the sciences, business, the professions and the labour movement.Recipients are...
(Public Service Medal) from Teng Cheong Ong
Ong Teng Cheong
Ong Teng Cheong was the first directly elected President of the Republic of Singapore. He was the nation's fifth President, and served a six-year term from 1 September 1993 to 31 August 1999.-Early life:...
, then Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, for services to the martial arts. Chong is currently ranked 8th dan in Kyokushin karate, and was promoted to that rank in 1999.