China's Shaolin Temple, the cradle of Chinese kung fu, is demanding an apology from an Internet user who said its monks had once been beaten in unarmed combat by a Japanese ninja, Chinese media reported Friday. Shaolin Temple, in the northern province of Henan, became famous in the West as the training ground for Kwai Chang "Grasshopper" Caine in the 1970s "Kung Fu" TV series. Chinese Shaolin monks perform during a show in southwest China's Chongqing municipality … [Read more...] about China kung fu monks seek apology for ninja affront
Kung fu combat
Five countries support Vietnam’s martial art Vovinam at next SEA Games
VietNamNet Bridge - Vovinam - the martial art created by Vietnam - wins the strong support of five countries for a chance to appear in the 28th Southeast Asia Games, said Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Olympic Committee - Mr. Hoang Vinh Giang. He said that at the meeting, representatives of Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia and Vietnam proposed to add Vovinam into the official competition program of the 28th SEA Games. However, to formally appear in the games, Vovinam needs to get the consent of the host country - Singapore. General Secretary of the World Vovinam Federation - Mr. Vo Danh Hai said Vietnam has actively lobbied the host country. According to Hai, the World Vovinam Federation will help Singapore develop the Vovinam movement and establish the national Vovinam federation. After that, Vietnam will send experts to help Singapore develop the martial art and train its national team. Vovinam appeared in the two most recent SEA Games in Indonesia and Myanmar. These … [Read more...] about Five countries support Vietnam’s martial art Vovinam at next SEA Games
Kung-fu master teaches empowerment
Inner Sanctum (09-03-2008) Kung-fu master teaches empowerment Duc Lien has used her degree from the Teacher's Training College to share her martial arts expertise. In 2000, she diversified her career with the publication of her autobiography. Since then, she's been inspiring young people with kung-fu lessons and literature alike. Khieu Thanh Ha learns some moves. Inner Sanctum: How did you first get interested in kung-fu and what has made you stick to it for the past 30 years? I was a naughty child, and I was very competitive. To keep me in line my older brother pressed me to go to martial arts classes. But after just a few classes I was hooked and trained hard. The art helped me discover myself and I grew up well. I owe all my power to kung-fu. Many people think kung-fu symbolises violence but as soon as they get to know it, they realise its beauty. Martial arts help people get through difficulties and work towards achieving good things. Inner Sanctum: Do you think martial arts make … [Read more...] about Kung-fu master teaches empowerment
Combatants of Vietnam army exceptionally skilled
Members of the special operations command and commonly called commandos, they are special soldiers of the Vietnam Army with exceptional skills. The can keep vigil an entire night, 'anchor' under water for 20 hours, lie buried in hot sand under scorching sunlight for days, run 40km with only an hour break, and swim 7km while carrying heavy weapons. The combatants use disguise and wait for hours to ambush targets. They practice special reconnaissance, unconventional warfare, and covert demolition operations against enemies violating national sovereignty. Other standard training includes parachuting, practicing kung fu, learning how to use various dangerous weapons, and studying multiple foreign languages. Brutal training In the darkness and foggy cold of early morning during the rainy season in the central highland of Vietnam, a siren sounded and immediately heavy footsteps were heard in the soldiers' barracks. It was 5:00am and time to get up. Soldiers start the day before … [Read more...] about Combatants of Vietnam army exceptionally skilled
Vietnamese kung fu
"Kung fu is not an act of violence," says Master Ngo Xuan Binh, the founding father of the martial art Nhat Nam. "It is the way to guide us to the perfection and harmony of individuality in a community. It's a way of self-improvement!" Perhaps this explains Binh's plethoric talents - besides being a kung fu master, he is a poet, a painter, an acupuncturist, and a doctor of oriental medicine. He is also currently lecturing Oriental Philosophy at a Russian university. He explains that Nhat Nam originates from the Hoan and Ai regions of ancient Vietnam where today you would find Thanh Hoa and Nghe An provinces. Master Binh hopes that this purely Vietnamese martial art can bring all of the different schools and martial arts groups in Thanh Hoa and Nghe An province together as "one united group under the Vietnamese sky!" However, such the popularity of Nhat Nam since being created 25 years ago it has already attracted followers from Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus, Germany, France, … [Read more...] about Vietnamese kung fu