Long before modern Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) swept the globe, a towering figure from Malaya was making international headlines in no-holds-barred challenge matches, professional wrestling, and boxing rings across Asia. Professor Kam Hock Hoe (甘福和, 1903–1990), founder of Hoe’s Ju-Jitsu Studio (和氏柔術教授學院), was a true combat sports legend, lethal martial artist, and master healer whose pre-war lineage remains preserved in Malaysia today.
Part 1: Early Life & The Street-Wrestling Era
Born on December 10, 1903, Kam Hock Hoe took up wrestling at age 16 to defend himself against bullies. By 1925, he had turned professional in Singapore, diving deep into combat arts under Japanese instructors:
- Professor Watanabe (Serangoon Road)
- Professor Yamasaki & Professor Hiyake (Bras Basah Road)
The “Panther Hoe” Era: Lethal Ring Encounters
By 1931, Professor Kam expanded his career to Shanghai and Hong Kong, competing in over 60 professional, all-in American-style catch wrestling and exhibition matches. Known in the press as “Panther Hoe” or “The Terror of Pahang,” his bouts operated under brutal, unrestricted rules with time limits spanning one to three hours:
- 1931 (Alor Setar, Kedah): Defeated Malayan champion Atra Singh via strangulation (fatal).
- Shanghai: Strangled competitor Mewa Singh in a submission lock within 10 seconds (fatal).
- Bangkok, Thailand: Broke the back of Thai challenger Nai Som Chit (fatal).
These tragic fatalities marked the end of his professional challenge career, as rival fighters refused to enter the ring with him.
Featured Video: Interview with Shihan Leong Chock-Lim
Watch: Exploring Shihan Leong’s life journey in Ju-jitsu training & real life applications.
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Part 2: Kyoto Training, Isoroku Yamamoto, & The Golden Era of Boxing
While in Shanghai, Professor Kam continued his Ju-Jitsu studies under Professor T. Yamanaka, earning a pre-war Nidan (2nd Dan)—a classical rank equivalent to a modern 6th Dan.
Kyoto International Ju-Jitsu Society (Doshinsha College)
In 1931, Professor Kam relocated to Kyoto, Japan, spending two years mastering the high-level secrets of Ju-Jitsu and Kuatsu (活術 / Restoration & Healing Arts).
- In 1933, he was awarded a 3rd Dan Honors (Sandan) and full Professorship from the Kyoto International Ju-Jitsu Society at Doshinsha College. Under the classical pre-WWII ranking scale, this credential is equivalent to a modern 10th Dan.
- His diploma was conferred by Master Sensei Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto (山本五十六, 1884–1943), who later became famous as the commander who planned the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack.
Golden Age Boxing & Challenge Matches
Returning to Malaya in 1935, he established Hoe’s JuJitsu Studio at 94 Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur. To earn a living during Malaya’s “Golden Age of Boxing,” he fought 30 to 40 bouts at Hertsford Road Camp and served as private trainer for the Federated Malay States (FMS) Police Depot.
- 1946 (Great World Park, Singapore): In one of Asia’s earliest Boxer vs. Wrestler spectacle matches, Professor Kam pinned top junior middleweight contender Tommy Carrie in just 16 seconds.
- 1947 (Singapore): Weighed in at just 145 lbs to defeat Heavyweight Champion George Stronghart in his final professional match.
- 1963 (Penang, Age 60): Challenged by two Thai kickboxers at the Thai Embassy in Penang. Observing 5 self-imposed safety restrictions (no killing, no punching, no chopping, no throwing, no breaking bones), Professor Kam locked down the first opponent and threw the grand champion challenger, earning a legendary victory.
Later in life, Professor Kam served as a personal bodyguard for the late renowned Malaysian politician and lawyer, Karpal Singh (1940–2014). On October 3, 1990, Professor Kam passed away peacefully at age 86.
Part 3: The Art of Hoe’s Ju-Jitsu & Kuatsu Healing
Following World War II, Allied Occupation forces prohibited martial arts practice in Japan, causing Doshinsha College to close its doors. Professor Kam became one of the few global custodians to preserve this complete pre-war samurai combat syllabus.
Kuatsu (活術): The esoteric art of revival, energy balance, and therapeutic healing. Traditionally taught only to senior masters, Kuatsu techniques treat joint dislocations, spinal ailments, migraines, and severe physical trauma.
Demonstration: Training with Basic Self Defense Techniques
Watch: Demonstration of joint lock mechanics and leverage control.
Part 4: Lineage Successors at Hoe’s JuJitsu Studio (Puchong)
Today, the heritage of Hoe’s Ju-Jitsu continues in Malaysia through direct, dedicated disciples:
Shihan Leong Chock-Lim (梁卓林)
Shihan Leong trained under Professor Kam from 1979 until his master’s passing in 1990. Demonstrating classical martial virtue (Budo), Shihan Leong originally waited outside Professor Kam’s front gate for three days before being accepted as a disciple.
Accompanying Professor Kam on interstate house calls, Shihan Leong inherited the complete combat syllabus alongside the legendary Kuatsu Healing Arts. Graded to Nidan with Honors in 1988 and conferred as Master Dan and Kuatsu Specialist in 1990, Shihan Leong actively heals patients suffering from back pain, migraines, and sports injuries while leading the school.
Sensei Michael Lui (吕师傅 – 4th Dan Ju-Jitsu)
Training in Ju-Jitsu since age 32, Sensei Michael is a direct student of Soke Errol Perera (Professor Kam’s adopted son and lineage successor) and Shihan Leong Chock-Lim. He actively teaches classes and passes down the technical syllabus to the next generation.
Class Locations & Contact Details
If you are interested in learning authentic pre-war Ju-Jitsu self-defense or seeking traditional Kuatsu therapeutic alignment:
- Location: Hoe’s JuJitsu Studio, Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia
- Contact Person: Sensei Michael Lui (+60 19-319 1643)
- Facebook Page: facebook.com/hoejujitsustudio
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