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Wong Shun Leung and other Ip Man students became active in beimo around 1959. Beimo contests were semi-organised bare-knuckle challenge fights in Hong Kong. Beimo literally means "contest". It also carries the idea of being a brutal street fight but not to the death. They were sometimes known as kung fu elimination contests. Generally there were no rules, protective equipment, or time limits. As Wong recalled in an interview, "When I competed, it was in secret. We went into a room, and the door was shut and there were no rules. The government did not allow them. They were illegal, but we didn't care. We fought until the other guy was knocked out." Beimo competitions were believed to be held anywhere that was found to be convenient. Some Beimo competitions were held on the streets but many were held on roof tops in Hong Kong. 

 

In the early 1950's, compared to other kung fu styles, Wing Chun was hardly known in Hong Kong. It was a style of kung fu practiced by a minority; mostly members of the Association of Restaurant Workers. Different kung fu schools met secretly with each other for challenge matches. Several of Ip Man's students including Bruce Lee participated in these matches putting Wing Chun on the map. Wong, being the most celebrated Beimo fighter was said to have faced opponents from many disciplines, virtually every style of martial art in the colony. He defeated many opponents in Beimo matches in Hong Kong between the ages of 17 and 32, and his reputation grew as he continued winning these matches. 

 

Students from different schools sometimes visited each other's schools and would issue a challenge to their top students and instructors. If a student was able to beat the master of a particular school, the school would close down. According to some of Ip Man's first generation students, Wong closed down quite a number of schools in that way. Wong won most of these contests within a few punches. 

 

Wong also reportedly had a Beimo match with a much bigger Russian boxer called Giko. John Smith, a student of one of Wong's students, reports that Wong defeated Giko, and that Wong himself told Smith how he was able to achieve this victory. Wong was believed to have had over 60 Beimo matches and never lost. Once asked if he was the best fighter in the world, he replied, "No, only the second best". When then asked who was the best, he said, "I have not met him yet." Obviously at this time in history Ip Man's students were rather arrogant. Probably because Wing Chun was and is such an effective system. However, we all know now that humility should be paramount.