Traditional boxing style shines in martial art competition

At a recent Chinese martial arts competition, a team featuring a local boxing style called Er Lu Hong Quan – from Cailou village in the Dingtao district of Heze city in East China's Shandong province – achieved impressive results.

Martial arts winners from Cailou village in Shandong province pose for a group photo. [Photo by Zhang Guangliang for chinadaily.com.cn]

They won 26 gold medals, 19 silver medals and eight bronze medals. The Er Lu Hong Quan is a traditional boxing style with a history spanning over 200 years in Dingtao district – known for its tight rhythm, ease of learning and its ability to be passed on to new students.

Cailou village has a strong martial arts culture and has produced many renowned martial arts masters over the generations.

Cai Panxi, the ninth-generation inheritor of the boxing style, is a national-level coach and referee, renowned in Heze city.

Cai explained that this style of boxing is simple and direct, emphasizing practicality and rigorous attacks and defense. It incorporates various techniques from the cold weapon era, making it a versatile and comprehensive martial art.

One of its distinctive features is the ornamental takedown technique which showcases individual moves in a dramatic scenario.

Cai also mentioned that qigong – a Chinese system of prescribed physical exercises or movements, performed in a meditative state – is a specialty of the boxing style and involves impressive displays of physical strength and durability.

The practitioners undergo training to strengthen their breath, sinews, skin and bones – allowing them to perform such feats as breaking bricks and enduring pressure on their abdomen. (Edited by Jin Yongxue)