Grandmaster Gini Lau
Grandmaster Gini Lau proudly carries on the tradition of her famous father, Great Grandmaster Lau Fat Mang as head of the Lau Fat Mang World Eagle Claw Association. Much like her father, Gini Lau has carved out her own unique history and legacy in the Martial Arts World.
Gini Lau in 1973 US
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Gini Lau at Great Grandmaster Lau Fat Mang's grave in Hong Kong in 1968
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Gini Lau at Great Grandmaster Lau Fat Mang's studio in Hong Kong in 1969
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Gini Lau at Great Grandmaster Lau Fat Mang's Studio in 1963
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Gini Lau at Great Grandmaster Lau Fat Mang's Studio in 1963
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Gini Lau in Hong Kong in 1963
Grandmaster Gini Lau began studying Eagle Claw, Yin Jow Fan Tzu from her father at the tender age of four. Great Grandmaster Lau Fat Mang would train her mercilessly in late evenings and into the early mornings while having her do all of the movements and forms of the Eagle Claw system under his watchful eye. This training would continue for eight years until his untimely death in 1964. Based on a prior agreement with her father, Gini continued her studies in the Peking Opera which was run by Master Yu Jim-Yuen. The Peking opera is famous for it's martial arts tumbling and gymnastics, both of which form a primary part of Eagle Claw Kung Fu. The Peking opera training was more ruthless and severe than anything she had experienced with her father.
Gini Lau became a star of the Peking opera with other such notables in her class as Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung. She would remain in the academy until 1973 and remain close with all other Peking opera classmates to this day. When the Opera was making a tour of the United States in 1973, Gini decided she was ready to strike out on her own and move to the United States.
Gini Lau became a star of the Peking opera with other such notables in her class as Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung. She would remain in the academy until 1973 and remain close with all other Peking opera classmates to this day. When the Opera was making a tour of the United States in 1973, Gini decided she was ready to strike out on her own and move to the United States.
Gini Lau (left) performing a bow dance in 1969
Sammo Hung and Gini Lau with son Curtis and daughter Yini at late Pekking opera sifu's funeral in Los Angeles in 1999
Gini Lau with pekking opera Sifu and wife
Gini Lau and daughter Yini with pekking opera classmate Jackie Chan at late pekking opera sifu's funeral in Los Angeles in 1999
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Gini Lau (left) performing a bow dance in 1969
Pekking opera classmates and Gini Lau at late Pekking Opera Sifu's funeral in Los Angeles in 1999
Pekking opera classmate reunion in Hong Kong in 1989
Gini Lau with pekking opera classmate Yuen Qiu for 50th pekking opera reunion in Hong Kong
Gini Lau with pekking opera classmate Sammo Hung in 1999
Gini Lau with pekking opera classmates in Hong Kong
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Pekking opera 50th year Anniversary Celebration in Hong Kong in 2009
Upon arrival in the United States, Gini did not have a job and could not speak English. She taught herself English and soon began to teach Eagle Claw at various local studios in the San Francisco Bay Area. Within a short time, Gini made a name for herself in the martial arts tournament scene by regularly winning Black Belt competitions against all male competitors. During this time (1976), she won Ed Parker’s Long Beach International Karate tournament against the top rated tournament competitors in the country. She routinely beat the number one male competitors on the Open Martial Arts Tournament Circuit. This is same tournament was where Bruce Lee was first discovered years earlier, is still considered to be the most prestigious tournament in the United States
Gini Lau holding grand champion prizes in Long Beach in 1975
With her unique blend of striking looks, traditional Eagle Claw training and years of performing at the Peking Opera Academy, it wasn’t long before she was spotted and asked to do work in movies. Gini Lau acted and did stunt work in such movies as Killer Elite, Falcon Claw, Weapons of Death and The Last Adventure. She was also featured in a KNBC TV Production entitled The Secrets of Martial Arts.
Gini Lau uses her years of extensive training now to teach others in the style of Eagle Claw Kung Fu, Chinese wellness and acupressure, as well as writing short stories.
Gini Lau uses her years of extensive training now to teach others in the style of Eagle Claw Kung Fu, Chinese wellness and acupressure, as well as writing short stories.
Gini Lau with Chi Ling Chiu in San Francisco
Gini Lau in second Eagle Claw studio in 1992
Gini Lau with mother and son with Si Hing George Sun and his wife in San Francisco in 1988
Gini Lau with Si Hing George Sun his wife in San Francisco
Gini Lau with late mother Maria and wife of great grandmaster Lau Fat Mang in 1996
Gini Lau with Great Grandmaster Al Novak, Master Carlos Navarro's daughter, Ruby Navarro, and friend in San Francisco
Yijin founder Paul Tam and wife
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Gini Lau performing at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco in 1979
Gini Lau with Chi Ling Chiu at New Martial Hero Magazine Tournament in Hong Kong in 2007
Gini Lau with Si Hing George Sun in Sacramento performing with Sifu YC Wong in 1975
Gini Lau performing Chinese classical dance in Saint Louis, Mississippi in 1975
Gini Lau volunteering at the San Ramon senior center in 2006
Yijin group and Paul Tam at a new disciple celebration in 2017
Chinese New Year Celebration at senior center in San Jose 2019
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