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The Star
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
China man trains rigorously in martial arts to compete in Japan slapping contest
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
Hindustan Times
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Man drives ₹1.8 crore car as ride-hailing cab, earns over ₹46,000 in a day
A 30-year-old man from China is going viral for using a luxury Mercedes-Maybach S480 as a ride-hailing car and making more than ₹58,000 in just one trip, according to South China Morning Post. The man, surnamed Yuan, lives in Beijing and runs a social media account titled 'Old Yuan Drives a Maybach for Ride-Hailing.' His unique profession has attracted nearly 120,000 followers online. Originally from Henan province in northern China, Yuan has been working in the luxury ride-hailing business since 2019. On November 1 last year, he bought the Maybach for 1.55 million yuan (approximately ₹1.80 crore) and began documenting his journey to break even. In a video shared on April 13, Yuan revealed that he started his day at 6:45 AM and earned 4,000 yuan (around ₹46,000) by completing a full-day ride. He said, 'Let's go! Driving a luxury Maybach ride-hailing car is not only my job but also my livelihood. Currently, the Maybach model can only be specifically ordered for ride-hailing in Beijing and Shanghai.' He added, 'It is uncertain when it will be available in other cities, so please watch rationally.' Also read: Furious tourist's meltdown at Bangkok hotel goes viral: 'Bloody fool. We have already paid' Speaking to Haibao News on April 15, Yuan said he made a down payment of 680,000 yuan ( ₹79.7 lakh), of which 500,000 yuan ( ₹58.6 lakh) came from his savings over six years. The remaining amount was covered through a five-year loan, with monthly EMIs of 14,466 yuan ( ₹1.7 lakh). Yuan said he focuses on quality rather than quantity by catering to high-end, pre-booked clients. He handles around 40 rides a month, and some of them pay more than 5,000 yuan (about ₹58,600) per trip. Despite expenses, he claims to save nearly 10,000 yuan ( ₹1.1 lakh) every month while maintaining a relaxed lifestyle. 'My monthly fuel costs are about 3,000 yuan ( ₹35,000). I spend another 2,000 to 3,000 yuan ( ₹23,000 to ₹35,000) on food, and rent is 4,500 yuan ( ₹52,700). I still have some savings left. The best part is that I get to drive a Maybach at only 30 and still save close to 10,000 yuan a month,' Yuan said. His story has sparked lively conversations online. A user wrote, 'So is he rich or not? If he is rich, why is he still doing ride-hailing? If he is not, how is he driving a Maybach?' Another added, "I just checked the fares for an S-class Mercedes, 5.5 km costs nearly 300 yuan ( ₹3,500). Who on earth is hailing a Maybach? I am not sure I will ever get to ride one in this lifetime.' Also read: Video shows Florida man casually offering vodka to cops chasing him: 'You guys had fun?'
