What I received in Imperial Longfist came through this man. What follows is what the record shows.
1871 – 1959 · Jinan, Shandong · Chaquan Master · Instructor at the Huangpu Military Academy
| Progenitor | Yang Hongxiu (杨鸿修, 1864–1944) Creator of Yang-style Chaquan. Known as "Great Spear Yang" and "Fast Fist Yang." Studied under Zhang Jingtan and Ma Laowei. |
| Second Generation | Yu Zhensheng (于振声, 1871–1959) Direct disciple of Yang Hongxiu. Twenty-five years of intensive study. Carried the full transmission. |
| Third Generation | Xu Gongwei (徐公伟, 1916–2003) Inherited the full Chaquan transmission, along with Baguazhang and Xingyiquan from separate lineage sources. |
| Fourth Generation | John Spak Preserving and teaching what was given, as it was given. |
| Sai Hexin (赛和坤) | Hongquan — early childhood foundation |
| Bai Zijing (白子敬) | Hongquan — early childhood foundation |
| Zhang Xuesheng (张学生) | Chaquan, Huaquan, Paoquan, and weapons systems |
| Sha Zhengqing (沙正清) | Chaquan, Huaquan, Paoquan, and weapons systems |
| Yang Hongxiu (杨鸿修) | Primary teacher — twenty-five years of intensive study. Creator of Yang-style Chaquan. |
| Fist Systems | Chaquan (查拳), Huaquan (滑拳), Paoquan (炮拳), Hongquan (洪拳) |
| Tantui | Ten Roads Tantui (十路潭腿) |
| Partnered Forms | Ten Roads Ambush Sparring (十路埋伏对打) |
| Weapon Specialties | Twelve Roads Partner Spear (十二路对扎枪), sword, sabre, staff, and spear |
| 1919 | Martial arts coach, Chinese Warrior Association (中华武士会), Shanghai — teaching alongside Yang Hongxiu |
| 1928+ | Faculty member and advisor, Central Guoshu Institute (中央国术馆), Nanjing — from the institute's founding |
| 1930s | Instructor at the Huangpu Military Academy |
| 1928–1930s | Professor of Physical Education, Nanjing Central University; also coached at Jinling University and Political Science University |
| Later career | Coach, Jiangsu Province Sports Training Institute and Nanjing Normal University |
| Central Guoshu Institute | Contributed the Ten Roads Tantui curriculum to the institute's official textbook system — one of 22 foundational curricula used by the first-term professor class |
| Institutional Role | Served as advisor (顾问) to the Central Guoshu Institute while holding a concurrent professorship at Nanjing Central University |
| International Reach | Demonstrated in Singapore, France, and other countries, introducing Chaquan to international audiences |
| Heritage Transmission | His student Xu Gongwei was later officially designated by the Chinese government as cultural heritage for depth of knowledge in these arts |
| Sword Duel vs. McClure | While serving as professor at Nanjing Central University, the American head of the Physical Education department dismissed Chinese martial arts and challenged him to a sword contest. Yu evaded the thrust, trapped the opponent's wrist, and disarmed him publicly. |
| Tournament Record | Won multiple championships against martial arts masters and Japanese opponents throughout his career |
| Physical Feats | Renowned for extraordinary strength — could lift 280 jin (approximately 140 kg) single-handedly |
| He Fusheng (何福生) | Won excellence award at the 1928 National Guoshu Exam in knife, spear, sword, and staff. Later became a national-level martial arts judge. |
| Gu Ruzhang (顾汝章) | Renowned Northern Shaolin master who documented learning Chaquan directly from Yu Zhensheng at the Central Guoshu Institute. |
| Li Shuhai (李书海) | Specialized in Five Poison Tower techniques and Pear Blossom Spear. 1899–1986. |
| Xu Gongwei (徐公伟) | Inherited the full Chaquan transmission, along with Baguazhang and Xingyiquan from separate lineage sources. Later designated cultural heritage by the Chinese government. |