Hong Kong highlights traditional kung fu in international performance and championship

Italian kung fu practitioner Silvio Bazzara is glad he won a silver medal at the 2023 International Kung Fu Master Performance and Championship in Hong Kong on Sept 3.

"I've been practicing kung fu for decades," said Bazzara, who is sharpening his skills from a local master in Hong Kong.

Bazzara competed with more than a dozen others in the category of traditional boxing routine at the contest. Other categories include men's short and long weapons, routines for seniors, and women's weapons. Dozens of kung fu schools acquired chances to give due performances, which also included dragon and lion dances.

"The event is to exhibit the strength of real kung fu, especially traditional Chinese practices and styles that local folk people treasure," said Kong Pui-wai, referee-in-chief of the event.

The competition and performances offer a stage for dozens of schools of kung fu from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Malaysia and Italy this year, said Kong, also a chairman of the Chinese Martial Arts Dragon and Lion Dance Association of Hong Kong, China.

The association is the main organizer of the Sunday event which is subvented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau; Sir David Fund for Recreation; and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.

Held every three or four years, the event has been held in Canada, Malaysia and Taiwan, apart from Hong Kong. After a gap of years due to COVID, this year it prioritizes traditional kung fu, special weapon forms, and dragon and lion dance performances, according to event chairman Lung Kai-ming.

Man Chee-yung, vice-chairman of the association, said such competitions and performances are renewing enthusiasm among the locals to carry on traditional Chinese kung fu and culture, esp. among the young, as well as promoting kung fu culture overseas.

The association itself has been keen on cultivating young talents for kung fu by training and organizing annual events for Hong Kong's school children to participate in related contests, Man said.

Among the performers were groups of student performers from Kam Tao Children's School of Martial Arts from Tuen Mun area of Hong Kong.

Bazzara's tutor, Lee Yun-fook, and another Italian practitioner Fabio Lattanzi also joined more than 60 groups of practitioners to give on-site performances at Kowloon Park of the special administrative region.