Xujiaquan (Xu family martial arts)
"My ancestors created the martial art to help the weak, and to protect our home and country. The family tradition has passed on well for a long time," said Xu Qinqi, the 10th successor of the family.
"My grandfather taught other villagers and martial arts fans after farm work, but my father's generation began to focus on making money, and the martial art gradually tarnished," he added. "It has been challenging for my generation to renovate and popularize this kung fu again."
The middle-aged Xu Qinqi began to learn the family's martial art at the age of five. He has devoted his life to the renovation of the kung fu. In the 1970s, during his term of military service, Xu taught soldiers in his regiment as a military instructor.
From 2004, he began to give free kung fu lessons to citizens of Xintai in the city's public square. He also gave lessons to students at school every week, establishing 18 cooperation centers with local schools. Xu's martial art team also gives performances every year to encourage people to strengthen their bodies with exercise.
By the efforts of Xu Qinqi's generation, some 200,000 followers across the country have exercised this kung fu.
Xu Qinqi, the 10th successor of the family’s martial art, began learning kung fu at a young age. [Photo/tawh.gov.cn] |