Couple passes on legend of wushu at home, abroad

Spreading Wushu Spirit

When they were professional athletes, Lang Rongbiao and Hou traveled around the world to participate in wushu competitions. Now, as managers of a martial arts school, they want to be "envoys," who spread the spirit of wushu throughout the world.

"The unique charm of wushu, presented by Chinese kung fu stars, from one generation to another, offers a way for the world to learn about China. Wushu rouses the spirit of our nation," Lang Rongbiao says.

Since 2015, Lang Rongbiao and Hou have led their students in rehearsing and performing dramas, which depict the growth and legendary experiences of wushu master Huo Yuanjia. They combine stage performances with martial arts. To date, the kung fu performances, developed by the couple and their students, have been performed on stage more than 500 times. The group has visited more than 100 countries or regions, and its performances have been viewed by more than 200,000 people.

As a sports-training base for youth, the school has received 1,000-plus high-level wushu students, who have come from more than 50 countries or regions. The school has also sent coaches abroad, to teach martial arts in Chinese cultural institutions in other countries. Every year, many wushu enthusiasts visit the school for studies and/or training. The couple is still working hard to make their school a cultural communication "bridge," built on the premise of sharing and the mutual learning of martial arts.

During the past decade, Lang Rongbiao and Hou have led the participation of their students and teachers in cultural-exchange events in nearly 100 countries or regions. For example, they have given wushu performances in South Africa, Cuba, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Switzerland, Canada, Mauritius and Zimbabwe. Their performances have won them tremendous applause and praise.

From fighting on their respective "battlefield," during various competitions, to working side by side while establishing and operating a martial arts school, Lang Rongbiao and Hou have always striven to write more colorful stories about their lives.