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MASTERS OF SAOLIM

 Venerable Abbott Shi Gaocan, was a great master who had absorbed the teachings of the Buddhist tradition of Zhejiang and Fujian in South China. He taught hundreds various aspects of martial arts throughout his lifetime with the common practice of teaching the art for the set purpose, so often students would only receive part of the martial arts that were encompassed by Shi Gaocan. Additionally many students who sought tutelage from Shi Gaocan had been well versed in other martial arts which they incorporated into their Saolim. As a result the are very many different Saolim methods around the world.

Some of Shi Gaocan's disciples include Quek Heng Choon, Ng Ser Kow, Dey Soon Siong, Lim Joo Wah, Low Koh Tho, Tan Choo Seng, Chong Beng Joo and others up to 18 main disciples in Singapore, as well as Ch'ng Kek Hock and P'ng Chye Khim in Malaysia.

In turn, the disciples with the consent of Shi Gaocan opened various associations to teach the Saolim martial arts accross Singapore and Malaysia. These include the Singapore Siow Chong San Physical Culture Society, Singapore Siau Hiong San Pugilistic Assocation, Hua Tiong Pugilistic Art Institute, Seow Tin San Athletic Association, Penang Saolim Athletic Association, Singapore Sao Hua San Athletic Association, Singapore Siaulim National Arts Association, Penang Seow Chu Sang Association, Seow Hay San Association and others.

Chong BengJoo was one of the great proponents of the Saolim Style and was often regarded as the youngest of Abbott Sek Koh Sum's disciples, and for this reason also one of those to have studied the arts in their complete status as he did not have a martial background unlike his elders. Master Chong become well known when he competed in the 1969 South East Asia Full Contact tournament and won by single blows, resulting in the nickname of 'Iron Fist'.

Li Binching was one of Master Chongbengjoo's early disciples and studied the various Saolim arts, which he commenced to propagate in Australia in the early 1980's. During the 80's martial uncles from the Siow Chong San and Siau Hong San schools in Singapore would visit often to assist in teaching. Wu Chanlong  studied the Saolim and other martial arts with Master Li and martial uncles for over 15 years which resulted in an expedition to determine the origin of the Saolim arts leading him to study/exchange with Masters across Fujian and Zhejiang provinces.