Encounter with an American Martial Arts Fan

By staff reporter QIU JIANGHONG

A group of taiji boxers perform at the Cangzhou Martial Arts Festival. The festival is held every two years. Huo Jianying

It was showering the evening the 2003 China Boxing Match was held in Cangzhou, Hebei Province. Nevertheless, the stadium was crowded, and amid the applause and cheers, I could occasionally pick up some foreign-spoken Chinese.

As I was taking a picture, a young man came over to me and asked to exchange photos. He told me his name was Jim. "I came to China a year ago to study martial arts at a sports institute in Beijing," he said. "Later I read a novel entitled Learning Unique Skills in Cangzhou, and discovered that many Chinese kungfu skills are taught in Cangzhou. That's why I came."

Jim told me that he originally thought China was very conservative, and he was surprise to find several international martial arts schools in Cangzhou. He selected courses in the different skills and tricks of various martial arts schools.

"I want to learn everything," Jim said. "I enrolled in taiji, shaolin and southern boxing classes. I do not expect to master everything, but I want to know the characteristics of different schools and learn at least one skill from each. My teachers are very patient with me, and I really broadened my view by studying in Cangzhou,"

He added, "Most people see the functions of martial arts as self-defense and maintenance of good health, but in my view, martial arts have a third function -- amusement. I find watching and participating in martial arts matches very stimulating."

Another roar of approval in the stadium interrupted our conversation. I continued to take photos, and Jim concentrated once again on the competition. Encounter an American friend in a stadium was an interesting experience.

Cangzhou Information

Located in southern Hebei Province, Cangzhou is near Beijing and Tianjin municipalities and has convenient transportation facilities. It has long been known as the "Hometown of Martial Arts," and is a popular place to go to train in martial arts. The Cangzhou Martial Arts Festival is a national sports event held every two years. The next festival will be held in autumn of 2005.