Pham Xuan Tong

8 Dang Qwan Ki Do

THE LIFE

Master PHAM XUAN TONG is a living legend in the history of Vietnamese martial arts; in a unique way he knew how to unite his origin and cultural heritage. Born on July 17 in Ninh Binh, close to the city of Nam Dinh (Tonchino) in Viêt Nam, he had the privilege to be taught by Master Chau Quan Ky (Chinese style) and his uncle Pham Tru (traditional Vietnamese style).In the year 1968 he reached the western hemisphere to complete his cultural preparation with studies in French: anatomy, physiology, etc. ... , so he could also adapt to European mentality. The unification of those three cultures drove him on to develop a method of international reputation, in which he put the best of his experience as apprentice and master: QWAN KI DO - QUAN KHI DAO.

His demonstrations were always received with enthusiasm by the audience and made him famous all over the world, but in spite of his fame this master stayed humble taking care of his love for the Vietnamese culture, friendship and altruism, all of which are gifts that allowed him to surround himself with people who appreciate him and help him with the preparation and organisation of Qwan Ki Do - Quan Khi Dao. His excellence Le Kinh Tai, delegated ambassador of Viêt Nam in the UNESCO wrote a public letter honouring master Pham Xuan Tong's extraordinary work he accomplished in all those years. Not only western martial arts magazines talk about master Tong, but also the press of his motherland writes about him, such as the Lao Dong, The Thao, Dai Doan Ket, Phu Nu, etc.

Today, as a federal employee in France he teaches physical education Toulon, where he is also responsible for the physical education of the police. At the same time he keeps fighting for his art and his culture, which reflects his Vietnamese heritage he loves so much. His message is now spread by the international organisation World Union of Qwan Ki Do - Quan Khi Dao operating in national committees in over 20 countries. Qwan Ki Do is now also officially recognised by Viêt Nam and the reopening of master Chau Quan Ky`s school has allowed the World Union of Qwan Ki Do to see its motherland Viêt Nam among its members.

Master Pham Xuan Tong's human and educational qualities earned him recognition from public authorities giving him several awards. Médaille d`argent de l`Ordre de l`Etoile Civique National 1982 Grand prix Humanitaire De France 1983 Membre de l`Academie Des Sciences de Rome 1981 Présentation exceptionelle par la Délégation Permanente de l`Ambassade du Viêt Nam auprès de l`UNESCO à Paris 1991. Eletto Maestro dell`anno 1982 and Maestro e Personalità dell`anno 1983 according to the survey of the magazines Samurai-Banzai and Sportivo.

He becomes instructor of martial arts and sports at the Don Bosco-institute of technologies in Go Vap and then in Chan Phuoc Liem high school in 1966. At these places he finds surroundings of his own childhood, when he was a student of salesianist priests. By master LONG HO HOI he's also called to the group of national coaches. At the age of 21 he passes the Trung-Cap-exam earning him the fifth degree. 1968 master Tong reaches France to finish his studies in physical education and thanks to his endurance, his courage, his competence and his teaching capabilities he is soon regarded as one of the greatest Vietnamese martial art experts in the west.

After his honourable masters death the testament asks him to follow the masters way. Because of the distance and his modesty master PHAM XUAN TONG asks his fellow student master PHAM MINH KINH to take his place for this task, while he and his school along with master QUACH VAN KE, NGUYEN TAN DANG, LE DAI HOAN and BAO TRUYEN enter the "Tong Hoi Vo Hoc Viêt Nam", the Vietnamese society of martial arts. In Europe he founds in 1973 along with the council of Vietnamese masters the national movement Viet Vo Dao, which includes the four main schools of Viêt Nam: Han Bai, Vo Vi Nam, Thanh Long and Quan Ky (master Tong's school, of which he is the only representative).

He is announced international technical director by the council of masters and keeps in charge for about eight years, so he receives the international degree of the eight Dang. 1981 he decides to resign and dedicates himself to his school following his dead masters obligation. Continuos progress and his friends help allow him in 1981 to fond the World Union of QWAN KI DO.