A Chinese martial arts practitioner is making waves online with his intense training regimen as he prepares to represent traditional martial arts techniques at an international face-slapping tournament in Japan.
Zhao Honggang, 36, has dedicated himself to perfecting the art of tongbeiquan, a 2,000-year-old northern Chinese martial art recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. As the ninth-generation inheritor of the Qi family style, Zhao is determined to showcase this ancient practice on a global stage.
“If I knock out my opponent with a single slap, I win,” Zhao told Haibao News. “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.”
Tongbeiquan, which translates to “Spreading Power from the Back Boxing,” draws inspiration from ape movements and focuses on generating power from the back through the shoulders and arms for devastating strikes. These principles may give Zhao a strategic advantage in slap fighting, where competitors take turns delivering open-handed slaps to knock out their opponent.
Zhao’s training methods are as unique as they are rigorous. He strengthens his neck and facial muscles by lifting dumbbells with his head and practices slapping techniques with teammates. This unorthodox preparation builds on his impressive martial arts resume, which includes winning the MMA championship at the Henan “King of Kung Fu” tournament and the 2024 inaugural Zhangjiakou National Martial Arts Exchange Conference.
Born in Gansu province and now based in Beijing, Zhao has also become a social media sensation with 685,000 followers on one platform where he regularly shares videos of his techniques and training.
Public reaction to Zhao’s competitive goals has been mixed. Supportive fans encourage him to “make our country proud,” while others express concern about potential injuries. One commenter warned, “The price of competing in that kind of tournament is too high. Even with a mouth guard, the damage to your teeth and oral cavity is irreversible.”
Another cautioned, “Those encouraging you are playing with someone else’s life. Know your limits, brother.”
Despite these concerns, Zhao remains committed to his mission of modernizing traditional martial arts while preserving their essence and introducing them to international audiences through this emerging competitive format.
