China's strongest kids in the street dance scene
The roar of the crowd at Paris' Bercy Arena was deafening. Under the bright lights of the 2025 Juste Debout World Street Dance Finals, spectators from around the world held their breath as two young Chinese dancers took the stage. But what followed was unlike anything seen before.
Ten-year-old Song Haoming from Jiangsu and twelve-year-old Fu Junxi from Guangxi were about to make history. Blending the fluidity of Tai Chi with the explosive energy of Shaolin whirlwind kicks (少林旋风腿), they performed an electrifying routine that seamlessly fused traditional Chinese martial arts with contemporary street dance. With every precise movement—whether the open-handed elegance of Drunken Fist (醉拳) or the controlled power of Southern Fist (南拳)—they shattered expectations, redefining the boundaries of urban dance.
In a competition where age holds no restrictions, the duo's "martial arts street dance" stunned audiences and led them past two foreign teams into the final four—an unprecedented achievement for Chinese contestants. Online reactions exploded:
"Are all Chinese kids born as Jackie Chan?"
"Chinese artistry is always mesmerizing!"
"This dance was mesmerizing—I absolutely love it!"
Meanwhile, Chinese netizens celebrated their success, dubbing them "China's strongest kids" in the street dance scene. Their performance culminated in a powerful moment: the two young champions waving the Chinese flag with beaming smiles.
The China Hip-Hop Union Committee (CHUC) proudly recognized their accomplishment: "Our young street dance team members have made history! This is the best result China has ever achieved—our nation's youth have set the stage ablaze!"
The success of Song and Fu was no accident. Their routine—incorporating elements of traditional Chinese etiquette alongside martial arts—was entirely self-choreographed. Fu, now 12, began dancing at the age of 6, while Song has competed in numerous street dance tournaments since he was just 4 years old. For them, dance is both a passion and an obsession. As Song puts it, "Dancing is exhausting, but it brings me so much joy."
Before heading to Paris, they had one goal in mind: "Let the world remember us. Let them know we come from China. And China is amazing."
A 13-Year-Old Master of Flying Dagger
While martial arts captivated audiences in Paris, another young talent was making waves in the East. On China's eastern coast, 13-year-old Zhang Keyi from Ningbo was practicing a skill once thought to belong only to legends: the art of flying daggers.
With an uncanny ability to strike a target with unerring accuracy, Zhang has become an online sensation. Her viral videos—featuring techniques like Rotating Lotus 12 Consecutive Throws—have accumulated over 15 million views, leaving netizens in awe. In one video, her hands move like a white crane taking flight, releasing a storm of silver blades that land mere millimeters apart.
"Is this real? It's like Li Xunhuan from Legend of the Flying Daggers (小李飞刀) has come to life!"
"Villains, beware…"
"If she's late for work, her boss should apologize."
Unlike the flashy, choreographed stunts of action films, Zhang's skill is real, honed through years of relentless training. Since childhood, she has endured injuries and exhaustion, her fingers often bloodied from practice. Yet, she perseveres, embodying the spirit of traditional martial arts: fall down, stand up, and keep going.
In 2023, Zhang began formal training under Ju Zhenfei, a recognized inheritor of China's intangible cultural heritage in martial arts. By 2024, she had clinched gold at the Shandong International Martial Arts Invitational, setting a new record with 53 consecutive strikes from a six-meter distance.
At an international tournament, a Russian competitor excitedly approached her, phone in hand: "Is this you?" Her videos had made their way to foreign websites, igniting global interest in the rare discipline of martial arts projectile throwing.
Zhang's goal remains steadfast: "I will keep pushing my limits, and one day, I hope to showcase the beauty of Chinese throwing knives on an even bigger international stage."
Her journey from an introverted child to a confident martial artist is proof that perseverance and passion can transform lives—and that traditional martial arts still hold immense power in today's world.
Set the Global Stage on Fire
For centuries, Chinese martial arts have captivated the world. Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do revolutionized action cinema, while Jackie Chan's acrobatic style introduced kung fu to a new generation. Today, a fresh wave of young martial artists is using digital platforms to bridge cultural gaps.
On TikTok and Chinese social media, hashtags like #KungFu, #ChineseMartialArts, and #Wushu have garnered billions of views. Foreign audiences are not just watching—they're actively engaging, learning, and practicing. One viral video even shows a father filming his toddler's first attempts at kung fu, jokingly captioned, "My son has incredible martial arts skills!"
Meanwhile, generational transmission of martial arts remains strong. Take, for example, 64-year-old martial artist Liang Changxing, who has amassed over 4.2 million followers. His success mirrors that of the Emei Women's Kung Fu Troupe (峨眉派女子功夫团), a group of nine young female warriors, led by post-95s master Ling Yun. Their cinematic fight sequences—performed against breathtaking backdrops like the Louvre in Paris—have taken social media by storm, racking up millions of views worldwide.
Even international news agencies have taken notice. A March 2024 AFP report titled "Women's Kung Fu Troupe Injects New Life into Traditional Martial Arts" highlighted how this all-female ensemble is redefining perceptions of Chinese kung fu. Since their debut in April 2023, their Douyin account has surpassed 1 million followers.
The resurgence of martial arts is more than just nostalgia. As China's young warriors integrate traditional techniques into modern formats—whether it's dance, competitive sports, or cinematic storytelling—they are rewriting the narrative of kung fu for the 21st century.
From the pulse of a street dance battle in Paris to the sharp precision of flying daggers in Ningbo, one thing is clear: the next generation of Chinese martial artists are setting the global stage on fire.
