Gini Lau

Grandmaster Gini Lau, a prominent figure in the martial arts community, proudly upholds the legacy of her illustrious father, Great Grandmaster Lau Fat Mang, as the head of the Lau Fat Mang World Eagle Claw Association. Gini's journey in martial arts began at the age of four, under the rigorous tutelage of her father. Great Grandmaster Lau Fat Mang trained her relentlessly, ensuring she mastered the movements and forms of the Eagle Claw system during late-night sessions. This intense training continued for eight years until his untimely death in 1964.

Following a prior agreement with her father, Gini furthered her studies in martial arts at the Peking Opera under Master Yu Jim-Yuen. The Peking Opera, renowned for its emphasis on martial arts tumbling and gymnastics—core components of Eagle Claw Kung Fu—provided an even more severe and demanding training environment. Gini excelled in this challenging setting, becoming a standout performer alongside future stars like Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung. She remained at the academy until 1973, maintaining lifelong connections with her classmates.

In 1973, during a Peking Opera tour in the United States, Gini decided to settle in the country. Despite the initial challenges of not knowing English or having a job, she taught herself the language and began teaching Eagle Claw at various studios in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her prowess in martial arts quickly earned her recognition, particularly in the competitive tournament scene. In 1976, she triumphed at Ed Parker’s Long Beach International Karate tournament, a prestigious event where Bruce Lee had previously gained fame, consistently defeating top male competitors.

Gini's striking looks, combined with her traditional training and Peking Opera performance skills, soon attracted attention from the film industry. She appeared in and performed stunts for movies such as *Killer Elite*, *Falcon Claw*, *Weapons of Death*, and *The Last Adventure*. She was also featured in a KNBC TV production titled *The Secrets of Martial Arts*.

Today, Gini Lau leverages her extensive training to teach Eagle Claw Kung Fu, Chinese wellness, and acupressure. Additionally, she expresses her creativity through writing short stories, continuing to inspire and educate others in the martial arts community.