China News Service, Xi'an, October 4th, question: Mali guy's "Kung Fu Dream": Between movement and stillness, there is a way to attack and defend

　　China News Service reporter Zhang Yichen

　　Standing like a pine, sitting like a bell, walking like the wind... Saidu, an African boy in the martial arts hall, shows the beauty of combining strength and softness in his moves, and shows the charm of Chinese martial arts between movements.

　　In 2018, Saidou came to China from Mali to study. Although he has been fond of Chinese martial arts since he was a child, being able to travel far across the ocean to the place where his "Kung Fu dream" began, made him sigh that "it is a coincidence and a destiny".

　　"I liked Chinese Kung Fu when I was very young, mainly influenced by the films of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. I remember when I was in elementary school, the community often played open-air movies on weekends, many of which were 'Kung Fu movies' from China. Watch and imitate the martial arts moves." Saidu talked about his "encounter" with Chinese martial arts.

　　As Saidu's love for Chinese martial arts continued to grow, he began to study martial arts classes in his hometown.

"The Wushu teacher at that time was a Malian. Although my daily exercise has made my understanding of Chinese Wushu gradually clearer, I still feel that there is still a little bit of 'Chinese flavor' missing."

　　The time points to 2016. After graduating from university, Saidou accidentally learned that after studying Chinese at the Confucius Institute in Bamako (Mali capital) and passing the test, he could go to China to study.

Are you looking for a job at a business in your hometown?

Or go to the ancient eastern country to explore the way of kung fu?

The answer is already clear.

From West Africa to East Asia, from Bamako to Xi'an, people have not arrived but their hearts have followed.

　　Saidu is currently studying business administration at Chang'an University. When he first arrived in Xi'an, the differences in climate, food and culture made him realize that his "Journey to the East" was not a smooth one. He can't wait to "close contact" with Chinese Kung Fu.

"I signed up for an 'authentic' martial arts class and started practicing martial arts with a Chinese master. After a class, I was sore all over." Saidu said bluntly, "It turns out that the real Chinese martial arts is like this."

　　As Saidu's coach, Ma Chao has been devoted to the dissemination of Chinese martial arts culture for a long time. Among his many "foreign disciples", Saidu impressed him deeply.

"In the process of martial arts, coordination and flexibility are often the 'shortcomings' of foreign students. For this reason, Saidu is very serious in training, although sometimes the training volume is large, he never misses it, which is due to willpower reflect."

　　Today, Saidu's understanding of Chinese martial arts is no longer limited to the bridges in the movie, punching, chopping palms, lunges... Saidu's every move is smooth, offensive and defensive.

Walking in the streets and alleys of Xi'an, from the Big Wild Goose Pagoda to the Bell and Drum Tower, from the Ming City Wall to the Forest of Steles, Saidu feels more and more integrated into the city's culture.

　　"My ancestral home is in Hancheng County, Shaanxi Province, and I have a home in Xinghua Village." Saidu has memorized the classic lyrics of "Three Drops of Blood" in Qin Opera, and he hums quite like "Old Shaanxi".

"When I sing Qin Opera, I will send photos of my family in costumes to let them understand the local culture of Xi'an."

　　It is true that the more national it is, the more universal it is.

Whether practicing martial arts or singing Qin Opera, Saidu has more and more Chinese friends and is more and more proficient in Chinese.

　　"When I first came to Xi'an, I felt more like a tourist. Now, I would say that my future may be right in front of me, right here." Saidu said.

(Finish)