Dennis has no time to teach kung fu

Dennis To at the recent Martial Arts seminar in The Mines.

By Fiona Ho
You probably know Dennis To Yu-Hang as the Donnie Yen look-alike in The Legend is Born – Ip Man, but there is more to the charming newcomer than just his comely physique.

For one, he is the reigning World Kung Fu champion.

He is also an expert in numerous Kung Fu styles, including Wing Chun, which he studied for eight years To was also a flame bearer in the 2008 Olympics.
With all his martial arts credentials, it certainly looked like To was destined for the role of Ip Man, but the rising star admitted he felt a lot of pressure playing the martial arts master.
"I was worried about my acting," a chatty To revealed.

"Ip Man was my 'great-grandmaster'. I really wanted to do justice to his character and to all Wing Chun disciples."
His efforts paid off. "People call me ‘To Sifu’ now," he said with a laugh.

"More people have asked me to teach them kung fu since the film’s release (in June) but I have no time."

"My working hours are crazy! Filming either starts at 5am or I work till 5am. But I’m starting to get used to it."
The fresh-faced actor has been so busy that his recent sojourn here to conduct a Martial Arts seminar felt like a holiday.

To was joined by Ip Man producer Checkley Sin, who launched his novel "The Legend is Born – Ip Man" at the Malaysia International Exhibition & Convention Centre (MIECC) in The Mines.

Sin’s novel chronicles Ip Man’s life from childhood to his rise as a well-known Wing Chun master.
Besides Ip Man, To is currently working on The 1911 Revolution, in which he plays a soldier in the war movie alongside Jackie Chan and Chinese actress Li Bingbing.
"I’m also filming Harbour 2012 with Taiwanese director Chow Sau Fan. It’s an action film," he says in Cantonese, adding that he was also the martial arts director of the movie.
To will reprise his role as the legendary master in the next Ip Man movie, which follows the life and times of the titular Chinese hero.

"The film will focus on what really happened to Ip Man in Hong Kong and how Wing Chun flourished over 20 years. It also explores his relationship with his most famous student, Bruce Lee.”

“Bruce Lee is my idol," saids To, who calls the late icon his Wing Chun ‘grand-uncle’.

"I hope to spread Chinese Kung Fu through my films, just like Bruce Lee. In a way, I do feel like I’m representing the Chinese, just like he did."
Published Nov 25 2010