Over twenty professional wrestlers from Japan will stage demonstration here in November, bringing something fresh to local spectators who have been long-time followers of Chinese martial arts kung fu.

As part of the Sino-Japan cultural exchange program, the pro wrestlers will make their debut on Nov. 17 in the capital of Henan Province, whose Shaolin Temple is known as the cradle of kung fu.

The organizers said that Zheng Zhou was selected for the demonstration because the Japanese professional wrestlers have had admiration for kung fu for long.

On the day the pro wrestlers perform, there will also be demonstration of Wushu and Taiji, or shadow boxing, which is also a traditional sport in China, according to the organizers.

Professional wrestling originated from United States and has had a history of more than one century.

It is a theatrical spectacle familiar not only in the US, but also has large following in South Korea and Japan, with the latter having more than 30 clubs.

Professional wrestling is a curious combination of sport and show, featuring both "shooting matches" (in which competitors genuinely attempted to defeat their opponents) and "business matches" (with results pre-arranged by managers and promoters, so that reputations could be built or maintained and profits maximized).

Competitors in the game can use any props to fight with the other one including fisting, kicking, tumbling, even they can use juicing to pretend injured. The place is also not only in arena, but also it may extend to the stand even in the waiting room.

(Xinhua News Agency August 13, 2005)