Guru Evan Tai

Evan is a martial artist from Hong Kong, a fight choreographer, and a Southeast Asian martial arts consultant with over 15 years of teaching and practical combat experience. He is the founder of Evantai S.A.C System International (ESSI), specializing in the integration of traditional and modern Southeast Asian weapon-based martial arts.

He has contributed to both international and local film and television productions as an action designer and consultant, showcasing his deep expertise and combat aesthetics. Evan has also traveled extensively throughout Southeast Asia to learn from various martial arts masters, some of whom he met through introductions by their own teachers.

During this martial arts journey, Evan and his fellow masters exchanged not only techniques and movements but also teaching philosophies and experiences. Later, Evan developed and established his own training and instructional system based on conceptual principles, which he is now actively promoting across the globe.

Early Life and Martial Arts Journey

Evan began training in martial arts at the age of eight under the guidance of his father, learning traditional Chinese Kung Fu. During his teenage years, he pursued more combat-oriented systems:

    •    In 1998, he began studying Ving Tsun (周年發詠春拳館 Chau Lin Fat Ving Tsun - Sifu Chau Lin Fat 師父-周年發)

    •    In 2001, he trained in Yi Quan (香港拳學研究會 Hong Kong Martial Arts Science Association - Sifu Sandy Ng 師父-伍智恒)

    •    In 2007, he studied Western boxing under David Gaskill, former coach of the British Olympic boxing team

    •    In 2008, he founded Tai-Kickboxing Club (TKBC), focusing on Boxing, Kickboxing, and SanDa

Between 2008 and 2010, Evan competed in Hong Kong in the 52kg boxing and SanDa categories, earning recognition in the local combat sports scene.

Turning Point Toward Weapons Training

In 2009, A violent knife attack happened near his gym. The incident deeply changed his perception of self-defense, revealing the limitations of unarmed martial arts in real-life weapon-based encounters. He retired from competitive fighting in 2013 and shifted his full focus to weapons-based martial arts, particularly those from Southeast Asia such as Silat and Arnis.

This led to the development of his personal system, Evantai S.A.C System International (ESSI), which incorporates a variety of disciplines, including: Kali Sticks, Combat knife, Empty-hand applications, Karambit, Sarong, Espada y Daga (sword and dagger), Tomahawk, Sword and Spear.

Teaching and International Seminars

Since 2014, Evan has been invited to conduct seminars and workshops globally, with events held in Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland. His teaching emphasizes realistic combat application, cultural preservation, and system integration.

He also provides tactical training for special forces units, applying his martial system in high-stakes, real-world scenarios.

Honors & Awards

Distinguished FMA Master of the Year, 5th Philippine Martial Arts Hall of Fame (2019)

Appointed as the Hong Kong 

Country Director, acknowledging leadership and contribution to the development of Filipino Martial Arts internationally.

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Film and Media Work

Evan has worked extensively in the film and television industry as a fight choreographer, martial arts consultant, and stunt performer. He is recognized for his ability to translate martial realism into cinematic language, working alongside renowned action figures such as Brad Allan, Andy Cheng (鄭繼宗), and Philip Ng (伍允龍).

His expertise has also led to collaborations with various organizations:

    •    2014–Present: Invited as a Close Quarters Tactical Instructor for overseas police forces.

    •    2017: Appointed by Beijing TV (BTV) as a Martial Arts Consultant

for "The Longest Day in Chang’An".

北京電視台劇集《長安十二時辰》動作創作及武術顧問

    •    2019: Hosted Kung Fu Quest Season 4 – Silat & FMA

for RTHK. 電台節目《功夫傳奇IV》主持

    •    2020: Joined Marvel Studios as part of the Action Creation Team, Martial Arts Consultant, and Stunt Performer for "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings".

荷里活電影《尚氣與十環幫傳奇》動作創作及武術顧問

    •    2024: Appointed as Southeast Asia martial arts consultant for Hong Kong Movie "Without Remorse"

香港電影《無名火》動作創作及武術顧問