Behind-the-scenes footage

Video by Xu Shuntian

In China, nearly every kung fu enthusiast has watched Jackie Chan’s action movies and attempted to imitate some of his signature moves. This inclination likely arises from the impression that observing skilled masters practice kung fu can sometimes lead one to believe that mastering this martial art is a straightforward process.

However, the reality is quite different. Kung fu, also known as wushu, is an intricate and demanding discipline that demands years of unwavering dedication and rigorous training to truly master.

Rafael Saavedra (L) from Venezuela learns the techniques of the  in a martial arts school in Shajing, Bao'an District. Photos by Liu Xudong

To offer viewers a more profound understanding of the rigorous path undertaken by a kung fu master and to further promote the Hualin-style Mantis Fist — an esteemed intangible cultural heritage — we invited our protagonist, Rafael Antonio Saavedra Molina, to learn the techniques of Mantis Fist in the second episode of the documentary series “Shifu.”

Xian Runzhang (L) teaches the move of mantis fist to Saavedra.

Mantis Fist, also known as tanglangquan (螳螂拳), is a style of traditional Chinese martial arts that imitates the movements and techniques of the preying mantis. It is characterized by its agile, rapid and deceptive strikes.

The Hualin-style Mantis Fist’s roots can be traced back to the early 20th century when Li Kunshan, hailing from East China’s Shandong Province, introduced it to the Shajing region in Shenzhen. This lineage now spans over a century.

The legacy of the Hualin-style Mantis Fist has been carefully preserved through five generations. In 1936, a villager from Shajing named Xian Yingdeng journeyed to Hong Kong to become a disciple of Li, thus becoming the second-generation torchbearer.

Xian Yingdeng’s second son, Xian Runzhang, immersed himself in martial arts from a young age and is now recognized as the third-generation inheritor of this intangible legacy.

Saavedra learns the techniques of the mantis fist .

In the second episode of “Shifu,” Saavedra tries his best to learn a set of Mantis Fist from Xian Runzhang. As a novice, the various steps of the fist prove to be quite challenging. Nevertheless, Saavedra is intrigued by the form.

“This is actually the first time I’ve tried this. I love it. But I need to practice more to achieve an acceptable level in this art. Even though it’s only been a day, I think I’ve experienced enough to at least share a glimpse of this kung fu experience,” Saavedra told Shenzhen Daily.

Saavedra learns the techniques of the Hualin-style mantis fist .

Behind-the-scenes footage of this second episode is now available for viewing on EyeShenzhen and Shenzhen Daily’s WeChat Channels. Please scan the QR code to witness Saavedra’s arduous learning process.