Zhong Ding Martial Arts
About
The Association
The Zhong Ding Association is a worldwide organisation that was established in 1987 by its Chief Instructors, Nigel Sutton and Tan Mew Hong (Fong) Sutton. The main bases for the organisation are Europe, Southeast Asia and the Far East, but there are also instructors in India, Australasia and the USA.
The purpose of the association is to promote and research Tai Chi Chuan and other traditional martial arts. As such, the association runs classes and seminars throughout the year at a wide range of locations. These include special seminars conducted by visiting instructors who are renowned experts in their field.
Zhong Ding International is the mother organisation and is based in Malaysia where the association was born. This is led by Tan Mew Hong, who is also a vice-Chairman for the International Federation for Chinese Martial Arts. She teaches and promotes martial arts throughout Penang with a strong focus on their development within local and International Schools.
Malaysia is also the location for the Zhong Ding Training Academy which is the headquarters of the Zhong Ding International and the Zhong Ding organisation as a whole. The training academy offers short or long term residential training opportunities for Zhong Ding students to further their art.
The organisation hosts residential training camps and competitions in the UK to further promote the arts.
As well as promoting through teaching, the association encourages its members to write for periodicals and related publications. Nigel himself has had articles published in a number of magazines and is the author of a number of books on Tai Chi Chuan and other traditional martial arts.
Nigel Sutton
Co-Founder of Zhong Ding
Nigel has studied Martial Arts since he was thirteen years old and has trained extensively and intensively with a number of different teachers. In the Chinese martial arts he is an initiated disciple in the traditions of Beijing Gaoshi Baguazhang,Xingyiquan and Taijiquan of Master Gao Jiwu, Wuzuquan of Master Tan Swoh Theng, and the Zhengzi Taijiquan of Masters Lee Bei Lei, Lau Kim Hong, Ho Ah San and Tan Ching Ngee. He was also a senior student of Hongquan and Jing Wu martial arts under Master Liang He Qing, and of Chen style Taijiquan under Master Fu Chang Hui.
In Southeast Asian martial arts Nigel is a Khatami under Md. Hasyim (Silat Lian Padukan), a student of Azlan Ghanie (Silat Melayu Kris Lok Sembilan), an initiated student of Zainal Abidin (Silat Tua, Krabi Krabong) and a student of Eric Olavides (Eskrima DeCampo JDC-IO).
Nigel has studied, researched and taught in Europe, China and Southeast Asia and is the author of a number of books. He has also written articles for a number of major international martial arts magazines.
He currently, lives in Malaysia, where he practices, researches and teaches a wide range of traditional martial arts. This is also the location for the Zhong Ding Training Academy in Penang, where Nigel delivers residential training courses, in a range of disciplines, throughout the year.
Fong Sutton
Co-Founder of Zhong Ding
Fong (Tan Mew Hong) began her studies of the Chinese martial arts while studying in the UK. She first learned taijiquan with Mr Huang Jifu. On returning to her native Malaysia she trained as an initiated disciple or senior student of the following teachers: Tan Ching Ngee, Wu Chiang Hsing, Lau Kim Hong, Lee Bian Lei, Koh Ah Tee (Zhengzi Taijiquan), Liang He Qing (Jing Wu martial arts), Tan Swoh Theng (Shaolin Wuzuquan), Fu Chang Hui (Jing Wu martial arts), Zhao Weidong (Gudang Sanfeng martial arts), Gao Jiwu (Beijing Gaoshi Baguazhang, Xingyiquan and Taijiquan) and Wong Kim Hui (Shaolinquan).
In the Southeast Asian martial arts Fong has trained with Tuan Haji Md. Hasyim (Silat Lian Padukan), Tuan Haji Zainal Abidin (Silat Tua and Krabi Krabong) and Manong Ireneo Olavides (Eskrima DeCampo JDC-IO).
Both Nigel and Fong are active members of the Penang Martial Arts Community, holding executive and advisory posts in a number of organisations including the Malaysian Association of Grandmasters of Martial Arts, The International Federation of Traditional Chinese Martial Arts, The Nanbei Shaolin Martial Arts Association and Persatuan Silat Tua Pulau Pinang.