Every morning at 5:30 AM, the silhouette of a man can be seen cutting through the misty air at Yuhuangding Park (毓璜顶公园), in Yantai’s Zhifu District (烟台芝罘区). With swift movements, he slices the air with a large broadsword, or sometimes practices empty-handed routines. His martial arts flow between powerful strikes and graceful movements, embodying the harmony of yin and yang. This is 75-year-old Xu Guozhu (徐国珠), affectionately known by locals as the “Kung Fu Grandpa,” a master of the Mantis Fist (螳螂拳) who has spent his life preserving and teaching this ancient martial art.
By 6:30 AM, his students gather, eagerly joining his practice. Despite his age, Xu’s energy is boundless, his face carrying few wrinkles, and his mind as sharp as the blade he wields. His daily routine is a source of vitality, and for over a decade, he’s been passing on his knowledge for free to anyone dedicated enough to learn.
Dedication Beyond Age
Xu Guozhu is not your average retiree. At 60, when many are settling into a life of leisure, Xu made the decision to take on his first students. His passion for the Mantis Fist started decades earlier when he was just a curious boy fascinated by the martial arts practiced in a nearby dojo. By the time he was 15, he had already committed to mastering the art under the tutelage of his mentor, Master Yu Tiancheng (于天程), a renowned master of the Seven Star Mantis Fist (七星螳螂拳).
But life had other plans. As Xu grew older, responsibilities like work and family kept him from dedicating himself fully to martial arts. Even though he wasn’t able to practice as much as he would have liked, his passion never faded. Finally, at the age of 55, after a performance at a martial arts school revived his long-held dream, he decided to take his hobby more seriously. His mornings have been dedicated to the Mantis Fist ever since, rain or shine.
At 60, he took on his first student, and what began as a modest venture has grown into a community. His students range from preschool children to seniors in their seventies. Some even come from countries like Germany and the UK, drawn by their admiration for Chinese martial arts and culture. Xu beams with pride when he talks about one of his international students, who has now opened his own Mantis Fist school abroad, spreading the teachings of his master.
What makes Xu unique is not just his devotion to teaching, but the fact that he does so for free. His only requirement is that his students must be serious about their practice and willing to put in the effort. “I don’t care about money,” he says, “I just want to pass this on.” His students, from different walks of life, have found both physical and mental benefits from their practice. Two of his youngest disciples, who started as children, have now grown into adults and have gone on to attend top universities—a testament to the discipline and focus they developed under Xu’s guidance.
The True Purpose of a Master
Xu’s commitment to martial arts goes beyond his own practice. Despite his age, his purpose in life remains to preserve and promote Mantis Fist. “As long as I can still move, I’ll keep teaching,” he says with a determined smile. To him, teaching martial arts is not just about passing on techniques but instilling a way of life that promotes physical health, mental focus, and cultural pride. His daily routine revolves around his students; he arrives an hour before them every morning to refine his own skills before teaching others.
Xu believes that Mantis Fist, and martial arts in general, is a holistic practice. “It’s not just about fighting,” he often tells his students, “it’s about strengthening your body and mind.” He credits martial arts with keeping him healthy, vibrant, and happy. He leads a simple but fulfilling life—between meals and the occasional tea with old friends, his days are filled with the joy of teaching and practicing.
Xu’s philosophy is clear: it’s not about fame or fortune. Having spent 15 years cultivating his students, Xu has never sought personal gain. His reward is in seeing the transformation in his students, the expansion of their abilities, and the continuation of a tradition he holds dear. To Xu Guozhu, the Mantis Fist is more than just a martial art—it is a gift to the world, one that he hopes will endure long after he’s gone.
