China: Zhang Zhilei (张志磊) – Professional Heavyweight Boxer! (16.4.2023)

His punching combinations are fast, fluid, well-timed and accurate – whilst his evasive upper body movement and lower body footwork is both precise and compact! He skilfully makes the opponent miss whilst always staying in range to counter continuously. His fast (combination) hitting is reminiscent of that seen within advanced Chinese gongfu practice – particularly when Zhang Zhilei initiates exchanges! I suspect that somewhere in his training background lies the Internal Martial Arts of China! As he progresses through the ranks, he stoically faces the racist disdain he encounters in the West – and lets his ability and ever-growing tally of victories speak for themselves! Indeed, although 39 years old at the writing of this article – this might work for him in a sport that is usually merciless in its treatment of older competitors! Chinese martial tradition and culture possesses an entirely different approach to interpreting the ageing process!

Going to the Bookshop with Liz… (2.12.2022)

On occasion, (despite everything going on around me), a vivid dream bubbles-up into the ‘conscious-sphere’, which often involves historical events and people I have known – usually replicating (or constructing) events very similar to (or identical with) real events that actually happened (such as our visits to the now long closed ‘Borders’ Bookstore in neaeby Kingston-Upon-Thames – ususually during Sunday lunchtimes following demanding gongfu training sessions in the morning)! Recently, wilst dealing with 101 other things – and not having seen Liz for years now (life goes on) – the following ‘vivid’ dream traversed across the surface of my mind – and I thought it meaningful enough to record in writing!

Fuzhou: White Crane Fist Gongfu – Long Live the Communist Party of China! (8.11.2022)

The Communist Party of China (indeed, the Marxist-Leninist [Maoist] Communist Party across the world) – dedicates itself to the protection and uplifting of women and children (whilst empowering and looking after many other oppressed, suppressed and exploited groups)! The martial arts above display was organised by the Xiamen Yongchun White Crane Fist Culture Research Association – together with a number of other White Crane Fist Training Halls located in the Fuzhou City area of Fujian province! The ‘White Crane Fist’ (白鹤拳 – Bai He Quan) is famous as being the foundational ‘Chinese’ Style of gongfu that modern Okinawan ‘Karate-Do’ is built upon!

Uganda’s Wakaliwood: Talented Local Man Films Low-Budget Shaolin-Inspired Martial Arts Films! 

In addition, the power supply in the slums is unstable. There is only about 3 days of electricity a week. Whether it is shooting or editing, it needs to be carefully planned. The power of the dream, however, helps the actors to persevere. After finishing each film – it is engraved onto DVD discs, each priced at 45 cents (about 3 yuan), and then people go door-to-door in costumes used in the film. Usually, a movie will earn about 300 yuan. Even though the road seems difficult and endless, the actors never gave up and maintain a high degree of enthusiasm for filming. Over the past few years, through the efforts of Isaac and his companions, more than 40 films have been completed such as ‘Who Killed Captain Alex’ and ‘The Return of Uncle Benon’! These films, which combine Ugandan culture with Chinese culture, (as well as elements such as gunfights and gongfu), have received a lot of likes and attention on YouTube, and are referred to as ‘people who really love movies’. ‘Who Killed Captain Alex’ even attracted an American fan – Alan Hoffmanis! He gathered his things together and travelled to Uganda to offer his expertise in the filming and editing process!

Falun Gong Fu – Does It Work in Combat? (22.9.2022)

4) These movements appear disjointed and out of order. Is this to hide their true power? We remain unconvinced that this martial arts system will work in actual combat – after-all – most of it involves US born Chinese or misled Taiwanese ‘actors’ lying on the floor and covering their hands and feet in tomato source! 

5) We are told that this style is called ‘Ming Hui’ (明慧) or ‘Bright Wisdom’ Fist (拳) – is this correct?

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