The highest form of self defence or the ancient Chinese martial art technique is known as the Kuntao style of Kung fu and is one of the different forms of specialized martial art technique. Many a time it is rumored that the Kuntao Silat is a martial art technique that has originated from the hybrid martial art merging of ancient China and Indonesia. The name Silat is inherently mixed with Kuntao as the combat style of Kuntao has gone through various explorations of weapons and different combat styles which are mostly linked with the combat style of Silat. The Kuntao style had originated in the famous Shaolin Temples where the fighter monks practiced this art in account of self defence.
However the Kuntao style of martial art has also inherently carried along with it the Liu Seong Kuntao System after the Legendary Liu Seong. Liu Seong Senior has been one of the most famous legends and Kuntao master who went about teaching this art to Willem Reeders and thus a legacy was passed.
Willem Reeders
The legendary name of Willem Reeders is inseparable from Kuntao and this legend has learnt the art of Kuntao from his maternal uncle Lie Seong Senior and was referred to as the Liu Seong junior. Under the dedicated guidance of his old uncle, Willem Reeders learned the art well and actually revolutionized this style which is known as the Lie Seong Kuntao. Reeders had learnt additional Silat techniques of Kung fu such as Harimau, Semak, Tijkalong and Tijmande and thus he brought a revolution to the Kuntao martial art by blending it with Silat.
Reeders became proficient in many diversified martial art techniques and started teaching Kuntao which was soon called Liu Seong Kuntao. His ideas and techniques focused upon anatomical, social, psychological and of course physical aspects and principles. Willem Reeders had a mixed origin of Dutch and Chinese and very soon he began his own teaching school. He is the founder of the Liu Seong Kuntao and is the main reason for the spread of this martial art technique in the United States and many other parts of Europe.
Liu Seong Junior or Master Reeders started his school in Albuquerque where he emphasized the Liu Seong Kuntao style and mainly stressed upon the different techniques rather than the style. Master Reeders has apt skills in ju Jitsu, kendo, judo, aikido, 6th degree black belt holder in shotokan karate and has also been proficient in “Budozn Soundje Kempo” (7th degree black belt).
Willem De Thouras
Willem De Thouras also known as Uncle Bill was born in Java and like Master Reeders also had a heritage of Kung fu in his maternal brotherhood. Much like Master Reeders, Willem De Thouras was the founder of the Kuntao Silat de Thouras which was the combination of Pencak Silat and Kuntao. Master De Thouras was adept at 15 numerous techniques of Pencak Silat and eight different techniques of Chinese Kuntao.
Willem De Thouras had a master amongst his family roots in Master Nes De Vries who was his maternal uncle. Master Nes De Vries was an efficient practitioner of Pukulan Pak Serak fighting system and he also taught Master Reeders during the World War II. Master Reeders was later introduced to Master De Thouras and his other three brothers through Master Djut (master of Nes de Vries). Willem De Thouras had a great fighter in his uncle Master Nes De Vries who was an extremely fierce fighter. Through his uncle he came under the delightful presence of legendary master, Master Djut.
Master Thouras developed a number of martial styles from various different countries like Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan, Sri Lanka, Canada, France, Holland, England and many other countries. His sheer passion made him a legendary figure who described Kuntao style separately as the “way of fists” or “fist way”. Master De Thouras simplified and revolutionized the Pencak technique by implementing his own accords into Kuntao Silat de Thouras.
Steve Gartin
Steve Gartin is one of the disciples of the Kuntao Silat de Thouras and he started his training under Master Willem de Thouras in 1976. He was a fourth senior disciple and has apt skills and have completed the art of Pukulan Silat Serak, Ratu Dari, Tongkat and Bukti Negara which involves all the various fighting styles of wolves, eagles, snakes, tigers and many more.
The dedication, devotion, zeal and passion of Steve Gartin with his rigorous years of practice and patience has enabled him to establish a legacy of his own by establishing the Malabar Kuntao Silat and the American Kuntao Silat.