From weak old man to muscular grandpa in 8 years

By Lin Liyao
0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, May 17, 2016
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Mr. Xu was once a small, emaciated man. However, after eight years of Tai Chi training, the 76-year-old grandpa becomes a strong man with rippling muscles.

Mr. Xu trains with dumbbells at his house. [Photo/Modern Express]

Mr. Xu trains with dumbbells at his house. [Photo/Modern Express]

Being beat by a young man made him angry

Eight years ago, Xu was taking the bus to participate in a retirees' gathering. "The bus was full of people that day, and I ran into a young man while passing by him. The man was about 20-30 years old and nearly 1.9 meters tall," said Xu. "Although I said sorry to him, he was still very angry and beat me violently."

Xu didn't ask police for help at that time, but he never forgot the incident. "I will never forget his unreasonable act and the way he grasped my hair as if I was a chicken." After that day, Xu made up his mind to learn Kung Fu and make himself into a strong man.

Deciding to practice Tai Chi

In order to get his revenge, Xu began to search for a Kung Fu master in his hometown of Nanjing in Jiangsu Province. After finding out about a Tai Chi master who exercised daily at Bailuzhou Park, Xu visited him with gifts and tried to persuade him to become his Kung Fu teacher.

Xu told his story to the master, but the master refused his request, saying "Kung Fu contains no hatred." Xu then pleaded with him again and again until the master was finally moved by Xu's persistence and offered to teach him Kung Fu solely for purposes of defense.

The master asked Xu to promise him something: Learning Kung Fu is only for strengthening the body; never throw the first punch and never act violently towards others.

For the next eight years, Xu woke up every morning at 3:00 and practiced Tai Chi for four hours until sunrise. In the evening, he also did dumbbell exercise for strength training. During his training, Xu also learned the core thinking and philosophy of traditional Chinese Kung Fu: Tolerance brings respect.

Teaching a lesson instead of revenge

Eight years have gone. Xu is 76 years old now. During his eight years of training, Xu has changed himself from a weak old man into a strong muscular grandpa. He confesses that he never forgot the incident eight years ago but also that hatred and revenge have totally disappeared from his mind.

Recently, Xu met the young man again who beat him eight years ago. In order to teach him a lesson, Xu bumped into him intentionally. The action provoked the young man to anger, and he threw a punch at Xu. But this time, his attack was easily defended by Xu.

"I'm the old man who was beaten by you eight years ago. I just want to teach you a lesson today," Xu said to the young man. "Young men like you should respect the elders. No one has the right to bully or underestimate others, no matter how strong you are."

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