Knife attack on Simon Yam outrageous, says veteran martial arts legend Sammo Hung

Hong Kong-born 67-year-old actor and filmmaker receives a lifetime achievement award in Kuala Lumpur

The ‘Martial Law’ actor says he doesn’t know why Yam was attacked, saying ‘he must have got the wrong person’

Reading Time:2 minutes

Sammo Hung receives his lifetime achievement award at the third Malaysia Golden Global Awards (MGGA) in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Facebook/MGGA

Published: 6:23pm, 21 Jul 2019Updated: 8:25pm, 21 Jul 2019

Veteran Hong Kong martial arts legend Sammo Hung Kam-bo says he was shocked by the knife attack on fellow entertainer Simon Yam Tat-wah, saying he didn’t understand why it happened but it was “very difficult to prevent”.

Hung was speaking on Saturday, the same day 64-year-old Hong Kong actor Yam was knifed by a lone assailant on stage during a promotional event in Zhongshan, Guangdong province in China. Yam suffered knife wounds to his hand and stomach and is recovering in hospital after undergoing a second surgery at Adventist Hospital.

Sammo Hung makes a point during his speech in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Facebook/MGGA

Speaking to the media as he received his lifetime achievement award in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday night, the 67-year-old kung fu artist, who starred in the US TV drama series, Martial Law, in the 1990s and fought alongside Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon, said it was “outrageous” that Yam was attacked.

“I don’t understand why it happened,” said Hung, who appeared in good health despite recent reports suggesting he has been using a wheelchair to get around.

Brazilian superstar jockey Joao Moreira and Sammo Hung at the races after Jolly Amber won a Class Five event at Happy Valley last year. Photo: Kenneth Chan

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x