Grandmaster Niel Willcott

5th Generation Disciple of Chan Heung’s Choy Li Fut, lifelong martial artist, teacher, and cultural bridge.

“For over four decades, I have trained, taught, and shared martial arts as a way of health, discipline, and legacy.”

Formative Years (1976–1998) – Roots of a Martial Artist

  • Diverse training: Japanese, Korean, Western boxing, and yoga

  • Discovered Hung Sing Choy Li Fut under Richard Papworth

  • Joined the Plum Blossom International Federation (1998)

Niel Willcott practicing Kung Fu with a Doc-fai Wong who is wearing a white coat, in a martial arts training studio in Norwich.
Niel Willcott and Doc-fai Wong posing inside a Martial arts gym with large windows in Norwich
Group of people practicing martial arts moves in a dojo or training room in Norwich.
Two martial artists practicing with sticks in a training room in Norwich.

Rise & Establishment (1999–2004) – Champion & Teacher

  • Grand Champion, 1999 European Championship (Netherlands)

  • Awarded Black Sash by GM Doc-Fai Wong (2000)

  • Founded Hung Sing Martial Arts Schools (2001)

  • First UK PBIF Black Fringe Sifu Level holder (2003)

  • Organised and led a team to represent the school in competition and demonstrations in San Francisco and China

  • Featured in Budo International magazine (2004)

Group of martial arts practitioners posing for a photo in a gym, wearing traditional uniforms with black and red accents.
Group of people practicing martial arts in a dojo with red and blue mats, some wearing traditional martial arts uniforms, and GM Doc-fai Wong leading the class in Norwich.
Group of children and adults in martial arts uniforms posing in martial arts stance on red mats at a sports event in a the Castle shopping mall with green banners in the background in Norwich
Niel Willcott and GM Doc-fai Wong in traditional Chinese martial arts attire, one seated in a chair and the other standing behind, in a room with portraits and red banners on the walls.
Niel Willcott and GM Doc-fai Wong standing in front of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, with cars and other tourists in the background.
Niel Willcott and GM Doc-fai Wong practicing Choy Li Fut Kung Fu in a room in Norwich, two kneeling in front with arms extended, and one standing in the background with arms crossed.
Six people standing in front of a traditional Japanese wooden gate with a tiled roof, surrounded by trees.
Five young adults posing on a wooden bridge in a lush green forest.
Group of eight friends sitting at a restaurant table enjoying food and drinks.
People practicing martial arts in a gymnasium with spectators in the background.
A martial arts demonstration or performance taking place in a gymnasium or sports hall, with a male performer in traditional attire kneeling and striking a pose in the foreground, while an audience and other participants sit and stand around him.
A young boy performs a traditional fast draw with a wooden bolo in a room with a dark floor and red/wood paneled walls, clear bench and chairs in the background, wearing a black shirt and pants.

Mastery & Legacy (2004–Present) – Grandmastership

  • Silver medalist at the 1st World Traditional Wushu Tournament in Zhengzhou, China (2004)

  • Achieved 4th place at the Taiwan Tai Chi World Championships (2006)

  • Became a disciple of Chan Sun-Chiu, Keeper of King Mui Choy Li Fut (2009)

  • Earned 5th Generation status and the title of Grandmaster

  • Represented Choy Li Fut worldwide, including Macao, NEC Birmingham, San Francisco, and China

  • Continued to lead teams, seminars, and demonstrations internationally, strengthening Choy Li Fut’s global presence

Achievement certificate from the First World Traditional Wushu Festival, awarded to Niel Willcott for second place in Male Group B Other Apparatus, issued in October 2004 in Zhengzhou, China.
Niel Willcott performing a martial arts demonstration with a sword on a green mat, while several people in colorful traditional clothing watch from the background.
GM Niel Willcott dressed in black and white kneeling on the mat during a traditional Wushu festival inside a gymnasium, with spectators and event staff observing.
Group of people in yellow jackets with medals around their necks, posing for a photo indoors in front of marble columns.
A group of five people on a podium at a Tai Chi competition, with three on the top step holding certificates and trophies, and two standing in front, one holding a certificate. The background features a large red banner with Chinese characters, a yin-yang symbol, and English text indicating the event.
Two male martial artists competing in a mixed martial arts match on a blue mat, with referees and officials present.
Three men inside a room with framed portraits and Chinese calligraphy on the wall. One man is standing behind a kneeling man in a martial arts pose, while another man in the background is observing. The room has a rustic appearance.
Four people sitting at a dining table, with a young man standing behind them. The table has food, drinks, and chopsticks. The background has a framed picture and plain wall.
Two men posing in front of a traditional Chinese temple with red columns and yellow roof tiles. One man is standing, and the other is kneeling, wearing sunglasses, with the kneeling man waving.
Two men pose indoors in front of black-and-white portraits and red banners on a gray wall, with one holding a large curved sword.
Three men standing in front of a martial arts school with yellow signage reading 'Hung Sing School, Choy Li Fut Kung Fu,' and contact number, with martial arts posters and a motorcycle parked nearby.
Group of people in a restaurant engaged in conversation, including an older man looking at his phone and a man dressed in traditional Asian attire with a hat, gesturing as he speaks.
Grandmaster of Fut Gar Kung Fu with Niel Willcott and GM Doc-fai Wong. The man in the middle wears a red shirt with Chinese characters. The background includes traditional Chinese decorations and photographs, suggesting a formal event.
A woman kneeling and holding hands with two seated men in a restaurant or banquet hall setting. Other people are visible sitting at tables in the background.
Four people standing in a restaurant with framed certificates, three are holding certificates. The group includes two men and two women, dressed in semi-formal clothing.
TV news studio with three people sitting on red chairs, watching a large screen showing Niel Willcott interview about Kung Fu in Norwich Forum BBC.
Two people, a woman and a man, standing in a shopping mall, both wearing martial arts uniforms with red trim.
A young man with red hair and a white shirt pointing at a list of names on a black wall or plaque, which includes various individual and country names.
Four martial artists in black uniforms with red accents posing in front of the entrance to the Martial Arts Show. One holds a flag, another holds a wooden staff, one is in a ready stance, and the fourth is holding a wooden sculpture.
People on a stage receiving awards or recognition while an audience watches and takes pictures at a public event.
Six people standing on a stage or platform, with a person in a white martial arts uniform with an orange belt on the left, and others in black, blue, and gray clothing, possibly at a martial arts event or ceremony.
Magazine cover featuring a person practicing martial arts outdoors with text in Spanish about martial arts, interviews, and karate.
A person practicing Tai Sifu with a wooden staff outdoors in a grassy area with trees.
Two groups of people practicing a martial arts or tai chi move, facing each other with arms extended and hands touching, in an indoor setting.
A group of people practicing martial arts in a gym, executing high kicks and various martial arts movements.
Martial arts class in a gym with students sitting on padded mats, an instructor demonstrating techniques at the front, and a person recording the class.
A diverse group of nine young adults posing and making playful gestures in an indoor setting.
Group of children and two instructors in martial arts uniforms posing and practicing martial arts in a gym or dojo with wooden walls.
A group of young women listening to a man in a gymnasium or indoor sports area, with basketball hoops in the background.
Performers creating a colorful dragon costume during a cultural event or parade in an outdoor plaza with historic architecture in the background.
Group of ten people in casual clothing, some in white and black sweatshirts, some in red and blue, posing indoors with a medical diagram on the wall behind them.
A man standing in front of a large stone sculpture of a sleeping Buddha that is carved into a rock face.
Three men standing outdoors: one in casual clothing, two in traditional Japanese costumes with white robes, head coverings, and staff staffs.