Traditional Chinese Martial Arts Federation

Sifu Ron Quan
関榮啟

VP Membership, Co-Founder

About Sifu Quan

Born on April 16, 1943, and raised in the heart of Los Angeles just south of downtown, Sifu Ron Quan (Kwan, Wing Kai) has dedicated over six decades to the practice, promotion, and preservation of traditional Chinese martial arts. His remarkable journey has taken him from the boxing rings of the legendary Main Street Gym to the vibrant lion dance teams of Los Angeles Chinatown, ultimately establishing him as one of the most influential figures in Southern California’s traditional martial arts community.

Sifu Quan’s impact extends far beyond his personal training achievements. As an event promoter, instructor, community leader, and co-founder of the Traditional Chinese Martial Arts Federation (TCMAF), he has created platforms that have elevated traditional Chinese martial arts throughout Southern California, providing opportunities for countless students and instructors to showcase their skills and preserve these ancient traditions.

Primary Styles

  • Northern Shaolin
  • Tai-ji Mantis
  • Mi-Tzung LoHan
  • Hapkido
  • Lion Dance

Martial Arts Journey

1962-1965: Amateur Boxing
Trained six days a week at the famous Main Street Gym under Coach Bill Slayton, dedicating two hours daily in the gym and running in the evenings. Competed in five amateur fights at El Monte Legion Stadium and Victoria Hall. Although he discontinued boxing due to vision challenges while wearing glasses, the discipline profoundly shaped his martial arts philosophy. Boxing instilled self-discipline, respect for others, strengthened focus, and provided a powerful outlet for personal anxieties and frustrations—lessons that would guide him throughout his martial arts journey.

1965-1980: Northern Shaolin, Tai-ji Mantis & Mi-Tzung LoHan
After leaving boxing, Sifu Quan sought a martial art with dynamic kicking techniques. In 1965, he met Sifu Liang Kam Yuen at a bar and became his first student in Southern California. He joined the Tai-Mantis Kung Fu Association, which included Sifu Raymond Wong and Paul Eng. When Sifu Wong moved to Los Angeles to assist with opening new branches, Sifu Quan trained under both masters, learning Northern Shaolin, Tai-ji Mantis, and Mi-Tzung LoHan. After the two instructors parted ways, Sifu Quan chose to follow Sifu Raymond Wong, drawn by the fluidity of Mi-Tzung LoHan. He spent approximately 10 years training with both instructors and an additional 5 years exclusively with Sifu Wong.

Flying Eagle Hapkido: Finding Dynamic Kicks
While Northern Shaolin offered traditional kicks, Sifu Quan sought the quick, dynamic kicking techniques needed for sparring. One day while shopping, he heard training sounds from a nearby storefront and discovered Flying Eagle Hapkido under Master Jung Bai Lee, a former South Korean marine. The energizing training and powerful kicks immediately captured his interest. For two years, he mastered a comprehensive kicking arsenal including roundhouse, reverse snap, front snap, spin back thrust, jump side, and jump V kicks, along with hand and wrist grab defenses, throws, and takedowns. He also studied internal breathing techniques and “ki-yup”—the application of internal chi energy. When Master Jung accepted an instructor position at the FBI National Academy in Virginia, the school closed, ending Sifu Quan’s Hapkido journey.

1959-1968: Traditional South China Lion Dance
As a youth member of the Los Angeles Chinatown Lung Kong Clan Association, Sifu Quan trained for nine years under Grandmaster Lau Wei, mastering every aspect of traditional South China lion dance. The Lung Kong Clan Association unites four family surnames—Lau, Kwan, Chang, and Chao—based on the ancient “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” story, where three generals swore an oath of mutual assistance during China’s warring states period (approximately 200 AD). This clan tradition continues today, providing support to Cantonese immigrants from Kwantung Province. Sifu Quan learned to play the gong, cymbals, and drum, performed as both the lion’s tail and head, and incorporated martial arts demonstrations into the festive performances held during Chinese New Year, religious holidays, business grand openings, and special ceremonies.

Teaching & Community Leadership

1968: Co-Founding the East Wind Youth Foundation
In 1968, Sifu Quan stepped away from the Lung Kong Clan team and co-founded the East Wind Kung Fu & Lion Dance team at a Los Angeles Chinatown recreation center. What began as practice sessions with close friends quickly attracted local youth, growing from a handful of practitioners to 40 highly motivated members within two years.

As Head Instructor, Sifu Quan made a principled decision that would define his teaching philosophy: he would not charge fees. Recognizing that most members came from low-income immigrant families, he didn’t want financial barriers to prevent their participation. With a stable day job, his involvement was driven purely by passion, not profit. Income from public performances—birthday celebrations, business grand openings, multi-cultural festivals, and even Los Angeles Mayor Bradley’s 1973 Inaugural Parade—funded team meals, new lion dance costumes, drums, banners, uniforms, and weapons.

In 1972, Sifu Quan elevated the organization by transitioning it into an IRS-approved non-profit charity, enabling tax-deductible donations that further supported the foundation’s mission. Today, the Los Angeles East Wind Youth Foundation has evolved into a comprehensive community organization with backing from downtown L.A. agencies and city leaders, offering Mammoth camping trips, winter ski trips, summer swim outings, life preparation workshops, part-time employment for college students, and college stipends.

When his oldest son Tony was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) in 2002, Sifu Quan became part of his caregiving team. In 2008, he retired from both his day job and from East Wind to provide nearly full-time care for his son. Though Sifu Quan stepped back from active leadership, the East Wind Youth Foundation continues to thrive, carrying forward the mission he established four decades earlier.

Event Promoter & Organizer

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Sifu Quan organized approximately four public kung fu exhibitions at prestigious Los Angeles venues, bringing traditional Chinese martial arts to mainstream audiences. These pay-to-see events were held at:

  • Los Angeles City College Gymnasium
  • California State University, Los Angeles Gymnasium
  • The Wilshire Ebell Theatre
  • The Scottish Rite Auditorium

These exhibitions showcased performances by legendary masters, creating a who’s who of traditional kung fu excellence: Sifus Kam Yuen (Northern Shaolin), Dino Salveterra (San Francisco Hung Sing Choi-li-fut), Chan Pui (Wah Lum Praying Mantis), Johnny So (Northern Shaolin), Jimmy H. Woo (San Soo), Raymond Wong (Tai-ji Mantis, Mi-Tzung LoHan), Mak Pui-On (Tai-ji, mother of action star Donny Yen), Lee Kung Hung (Choi-li-fut), Sek Khin (who played Mr. Han in Bruce Lee’s “Enter the Dragon”), John Leong (Seattle Hung Ga), and Y.C. Wong (San Francisco’s Hung Ga, Pek Kwar). One exhibition, “Masters of Hong Kong,” even received radio advertising, with Mr. Han’s performance of single saber and two-sectional staff becoming a highlight of the event.

2001-Present: Tempt One Championships & ALS Foundation
Following his son’s ALS diagnosis, Sifu Quan channeled his organizational expertise toward a deeply personal cause. In 2001, he organized the first Tempt One Martial Art Championship Tournament, which became an annual fundraiser to assist ALS patients. Over the next nine years, he built relationships with local karate and kung fu schools, creating a community united in supporting those affected by this devastating disease.

To maximize impact, he established the Tempt One ALS Foundation, making donations tax-deductible and streamlining the purchase of adaptive equipment and nutritional supplements for patients. What began as a father’s determination to help his son evolved into a lasting charitable effort that has supported numerous ALS families.

Co-Founder of TCMAF

The relationships and community Sifu Quan built through the Tempt One Championships ultimately led to his greatest organizational achievement. Working with fellow instructors who shared his vision, he co-organized the formation of the Traditional Chinese Martial Arts Federation (TCMAF) in 2017. The federation brought together 10-12 board members committed to collaborating on events that preserve and promote traditional Chinese martial arts.

Today, TCMAF hosts two signature annual events: the Golden Dragon Awards Banquet, which honors outstanding contributions to the martial arts community, and the Golden Dragon Championship Tournament, which provides a platform for traditional stylists to demonstrate their skills. As VP Membership on the TCMAF Board of Directors, Sifu Quan continues his lifelong mission to ensure that traditional Chinese martial arts thrive for future generations.

Notable Achievements & Highlights

Photo Credit: Douglas Wong Facebook
  • Played the role of the Tiger Monk in the TV movie “KUNG FU” starring David Carradine
  • Organized the “Masters of Hong Kong” exhibition featuring “Mr. Han” (Sek Khin) from Bruce Lee’s “Enter the Dragon”
  • Traveled to Hong Kong and attended the Tin Hau Festival, watching lion and dragon team parades in the Yuen Long community
  • Performed annually in the Los Angeles Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade and San Francisco Lunar New Year Parade
  • Participated in “Street Celebration” performances in San Francisco’s Chinatown
  • Co-founded the Traditional Chinese Martial Arts Federation (TCMAF) in 2017