Kong Hoi Kung Fu Association - Mint Hill, formally Mint Hill Kung Fu School, was founded in 1993 when Sifu Anthony
Stephenson, then Si Hing Anthony, met with Master Li and decided that it was time to teach publicly again after the close of Sifu Li's last kwoon. (Sifu Li had to move to Hickory for work temporarily)
Master Li instructed Si Hing Anthony to seek the help of his Si Di, Chris Facente. Running the school would require more than just one individual since all had family and work obligations. The three met on the issue and decided to open the school in Mint Hill and make this the root of Lai Tong Pai in the US. Prior to moving to Mint Hill, the three had been training privately in a small house in Charlotte with a few other students.
Mint Hill is a quiet town boarding on the east side of the city of Charlotte. They first opened the school in a large house in the center of town, but this became impractical due to some space
constraints. In 1994, a local Karate school was kind enough to lend them space for 11 months while we searched for a new location. They found a suitable location at 7706 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, just down
the street from the house they had once rented. This location provided the school with the capability to grow the student base large enough to be recognized as a serious kung fu training facility in the
city's martial arts business circles, while keeping with the traditions of the Chinese martial arts. This is where the roots of Kong Hoi Kung Fu Association - Mint Hill and Lai Tong Pai (Poon Kuen) were
beginning to firmly embed themselves in the Charlotte area. In July of 1997 and in 2004, the School moved to newer, more contemporary location with better Fung Shui. Fung Shui is the Chinese art
of placement. If business is to be successful, there are certain rules of Fung Shui to be followed. Master Li is an expert in Fung Shui so he helped us pick a location by traditional means. This is the
current location of Kong Hoi Kung Fu Association - Mint Hill and will remain the world's central location for the teaching of Lai Tong Pai (Poon Kuen). It is their mission and obligation to continue the
Lineage of Lai Tong Pai (Poon Kuen) as so many have done before them. They are very fortunate to have such responsibility. Kong Hoi Kung Fu Association - Mint Hill has allowed other styles to be taught
within its walls. Kong Hoi Kung Fu Association - Mint Hill is fortunate to have instructors teaching, or whom have taught, in Wing Chun, Hsing I and Tai Chi. Each individual is certified in his perspective
art and each of these arts compliment each other as well as Lai Tong Pai (Poon Kuen). The brotherly atmosphere of kung fu styles, teachers and students, has long been a dream of Master Li, Sifu Anthony and
Sifu Chris. This dream now lives within the walls of the Kwoon and we invite each of you to come and be a part of the history Kong Hoi Kung Fu Association - Mint Hill. In October of 2002, Sifu
Anthony Stephenson got married and moved to his wife's town of Kings Mountain just west of Charlotte, NC. This historical town is a beautiful setting in which to learn Lai Tong Pai. Therefore, Sifu Anthony
expanded the teachings of Lai Tong Pai there by forming Kong Hoi Kung Fu Association - Sil Lum Mountain. He teaches private classes and group classes at his kwoon in Kings Mountain, as well as, teaching when
time permits in Mint Hill. Visitors are welcome and he would love to have you come out and visit. Please feel free to contact him at (704) 502-5404 or email him at
sifuanthony@bellsouth.net |
