China man trains rigorously in martial arts to compete in Japan slapping contest

The Star

19-05-2025

BEIJING: A man in China has attracted public attention for his rigorous training schedule as he prepares to take part in an international face slapping competition.
Zhao Honggang, 36, is honing his skills in Tongbeiquan, a traditional northern Chinese martial art known for its long-reaching strikes.
His hard work comes ahead of a slap-fighting tournament in Japan during which he hopes to promote Chinese martial arts on the world stage.
Martial artist and influencer Zhao was born in Gansu province, northwestern China and is now based in Beijing.
He is the ninth-generation inheritor of the Qi family style, a branch of Tongbeiquan, a traditional Chinese martial art that dates back more than 2,000 years.
Tongbeiquan, which translates to 'Spreading Power from the Back Boxing' and is recognised as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage of China, draws inspiration from the movements of apes.
Its techniques emphasise generating power from the back, channelling it through the shoulders and arms to deliver powerful strikes with the fists or hands.
Zhao has worked tirelessly to preserve the traditional Chinese martial art, while also modernising it to adapt to contemporary combat sports, such as slap fighting.
Slap fighting, a competition in which two participants take turns delivering open-handed slaps in an attempt to knock out their opponent or make them forfeit, is gaining popularity globally.
The match begins with a coin toss to determine who strikes first.
The person being slapped is not allowed to flinch, raise their shoulder, or tuck in their chin to minimise the impact.
Zhao believes that by creatively integrating Tongbeiquan principles with modern mixed martial arts techniques, he will gain a strategic edge.
Zhao's martial arts journey has been marked by notable achievements.
They include winning the MMA championship at the Henan 'King of Kung Fu' tournament and the 2024 inaugural Zhangjiakou National Martial Arts Exchange Conference.
To prepare for slap-fighting competitions, Zhao lifts dumbbells with his head to strengthen his neck and facial muscles, and even rehearses slaps with his teammates.
Zhao said he wants to promote Chinese martial arts globally and sees slap-fighting as a platform for cultural exchange.
'If I knock out my opponent with a single slap, I win. I mainly want to spar with international competitors and let them know the unique power of Tongbeiquan. I also hope to bring Chinese martial arts to the world stage,' Zhao told Haibao News.
He has also worked tirelessly to popularise Tongbeiquan in China via social media.
On one social media platform, where he boasts 685,000 followers, he frequently shares videos showing his techniques combined with slap fighting, tournament preparations, and interactions with his master and students.
His story has attracted much online attention.
One supporter said: 'Keep it up, make our country proud, looking forward to your performance in the tournament.'
However, others expressed concerns about the potential dangers of the sport.
'The price of competing in that kind of tournament is too high,' one online observer warned, adding: 'Even with a mouth guard, the damage to your teeth and oral cavity is irreversible.'
Another person agreed: 'Those encouraging you are playing with someone else's life. Know your limits, brother.' - South China Morning Post