A Chinese wrestling coach in Baoding City, north China, has provided free training to thousands of youths for over 11 years, yielding over 200 medals in various competitions.
Bai Hejiang, 68, was born into a wrestling family and developed a passion for Chinese wrestling at an early age.
Over the past decade, he has led his trainees to participate in numerous competitions, achieving impressive results.
In December 2024, 36 of his students won 11 gold, six silver, and 13 bronze medals at the youth wrestling competitions held in Baoding.
"Today, the whole team won seven gold medals, and the coach is quite happy," said Bo Ya, a trainee.
Bai made the important decision to open a wrestling training center in 2013 out of concern that there would be fewer opportunities for people to experience Chinese wrestling after its removal from the Chinese National Games in 1993.
"Some of the exquisite moves and techniques of Chinese wrestling might fade away if they were no longer practiced, and Chinese wrestling could be lost in the future. I became very anxious, feeling it was essential to train a new generation of wrestlers and revive Baoding fast wrestling," said Bai.
Baoding fast wrestling is one of the Chinese wrestling styles. With a history of over 600 years, it is known for its rapid movements and techniques.
"Baoding fast wrestling requires great strength. Practitioners must be bold in their movements. It also emphasizes speed, where explosive power is a key feature," said Bai.
Bai's training center, located in a village in Baoding, was converted from an abandoned factory building. He offers training to children every afternoon after school and on weekends, successfully cultivating eight national first-grade athletes and three national master athletes.
At first, it was difficult for Bai to find trainees due to the hardships of training, with few families willing to send their children to learn wrestling.
However, Bai didn't gave up. His dedication eventually paid off as more young wrestling enthusiasts began attending his classes.
"I came here because I wanted to learn martial arts. Many people have a dream of practicing martial arts when they are young," said Liu Chenying, a trainee of Bai.
Practicing wrestling has not only improved many children's physical strength but also developed their willpower.
Guo Yuhang, one of Bai's trainees, has been practicing wrestling for eight years. His mother said he is completely different from the way he looked eight years ago.
"This is an old photo, in which he looked quite different from how he is now. It's hard to believe they are the same person. He used to be chubby, like a small round bread, but now he looks like a strong young man," said Wang Dongyan, Guo's mother.
"Seeing them perform a wrestling move so beautifully and gracefully is the most enjoyable and fulfilling moment for me. That is my happiest moment," said Bai.
Chinese coach's free training program produces champion wrestlers in Baoding
