Biography of President Tony Chuy

Mr. Tony Chuy is well-known in New York's Chinatown and is often respectfully referred to as 'President Chuy,' 'Master Chuy,' and 'Officer Chuy' by the community. He was born in Hong Kong and immigrated to the United States with his family in the late 1960s. Mr. Chuy currently serves as the President of the Nom Hoy Sun Tuck Association in New York and was previously the Commander of the American Legion L.T. Kimlau Post 1291. He joined the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, served in the Seventh Fleet in Southeast Asia for three years, and after completing his active duty, joined the Naval Reserve. He served in the Persian Gulf War in 1980 and retired in 1997 after a total of 24 years of service.

In 1989, Mr. Chuy joined the New York City Department of Correction, worked at Rikers Island Correctional Facility, and successfully passed rigorous physical fitness tests and training to become a member of the Emergency Service Unit. His responsibilities included quelling violence, controlling riots, escorting high-security prisoners, and conducting emergency rescue operations. In 2005, he served on the Commissioner's Security Team of the Department of Correction and was later recognized by his superiors. He was appointed as a self-defense instructor at the Correction Academy, becoming the first Chinese-American self-defense instructor in the 115-year history of the New York City Department of Correction. He taught subjects including physical conditioning, grappling, unarmed combat, police baton techniques, firefighting, rescue operations, and the use of chemical agents such as pepper spray.

Between 2002 and 2008, and again from 2015 to 2016, Mr. Chuy was elected three times as the President of the Asian Jade Society of the Department of Correction. During his tenure, he initiated various activities that enhanced the influence and status of Asians in the department. He also served as the President of the Supreme Council of Asians in Law Enforcement (SCALE) from 2005 to 2006.

Mr. Tony Chuy is also a renowned martial arts master in the Chinese community. He founded the Tony Chuy Praying Mantis Martial Arts Institute in New York City in 1982 and has been teaching traditional Chinese martial arts in Manhattan for over forty years, dedicated to passing on the art and spirit of Chinese martial arts. His students number over two thousand around the world. Over the years, he has actively promoted Chinese culture by performing martial arts and lion dance over six hundred performance.

During the heightened anti-Asian sentiment amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, Mr. Chuy, with the support of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association and the American Legion L.T. Kimlau Post 1291, organized free self-defense training classes to help community members rebuild confidence and give back to society.

Mr. Tony Chuy is known for his integrity, seriousness, and responsible attitude. In recent years, he has devoted himself to serving the community and various organizations, achieving significant accomplishments and contributions in the overseas Chinese, martial arts, and law enforcement communities.