Wulinfeng: Iron fists vs. steel knees

English>>Life & Culture >> Culture

Editor's Pick

Wulinfeng: Iron fists vs. steel knees

By Li Jingjing (Global Times) 10:18, August 14, 2013

Email|Print|Comments

twitter

facebook

Sina Microblog

(Chinanews.com)

Related:
>> How to develop wushu into a global art form

Chinese kung fu fighting against various martial arts from other countries in a boxing ring is not just a scene in action movies. Thanks to a program on Henan Satellite Television, Wulinfeng (martial arts trends in Chinese), audiences get a chance to see real life arena bouts.

Wulinfeng is dedicated to combining traditional Chinese martial arts with modern TV art and introducing Chinese kung fu to the rest of the world. After tournaments with countries like America, Japan and New Zealand, this time Chinese kung fu goes up against Muay Thai.

Tournaments between China and Thailand on the stage of Wulinfeng began at 4:30 pm on August 10. It was live on Thai Channel 7 and will be on Henan Satellite Television for three consecutive Saturdays beginning on August 17.

This ultimate combat between China and Thailand was co-sponsored by World League of Fighting (WLF) from China and MAX Muay Thai from Thailand. It had been anticipated by fans from both countries for a long time. The online buzz and live audience enthusiasm added feverish excitement to this tournament.

Highlights

The talented athletes participating in the tournament generated the most excitement. Buakaw Banchamek (called Bo Qiu in China), is famous in the Muay Thai sport. He is the champion of many international matches and is the highlight of the Thai team. He fought against Dong Wenfei, a Chinese fighter who has also won his share of championships.

The highlight of the Chinese team was Yi Long, who was known as the "warrior monk" and also a representative figure in the world of Chinese traditional martial arts. He fought against Petchnumchai F.A. Group from Thailand.

Although the two leading characters from both countries didn't encounter each other this time, it was highly expected by the fans for months that they might compete.

At the press conference for Wulinfeng's tournaments between China and Thailand held on August 9, Henan Satellite Television revealed that a bout between Buakaw and Yi Long is in the works. Yi also said that simply meeting each other this time was part of the preparation for their upcoming bout.