Boy trained by dad in martial art takes down bullies, becomes champion

Chen Yuze practices free combat with his father A Niu while visiting a scenic spot in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province, on Jan 16. (TIAN JIANMING / WANG RONG / FOR CHINA DAILY)

Eleven-year-old Chen Yuze and his father, known by his nickname A Niu, have become celebrities among martial arts enthusiasts in Jiaxing city, Zhejiang province.

Born in 1985 in Sanming, Fujian province, A Niu started practicing free combat at age 14. At 18, he took up Thai kickboxing and trained professionally for three years. In 2015, he moved to Jiaxing with his wife and son, opened a sports club with friends and became the club's free combat instructor.

Chen has trained with his father for years and has yet to meet his match in the amateur division of his age group.

Chen spars with a teammate during a training session at a sports club in Jiaxing on Jan 16. (TIAN JIANMING / WANG RONG / FOR CHINA DAILY)

In a contest held for young free-combat enthusiasts in Jiaxing on Nov 28, Chen easily overcame his opponents to be crowned champion in his division.

He said being bullied by older students in the first grade encouraged him to turn to his father to learn self-defense. It took only a month of training before he was confident enough to take on his tormentors. "After I could defend myself, I became braver," he said.

However, A Niu said he doesn't want his son to become a professional fighter and only hopes Chen has a strong enough physique to defend himself.

The junior champion practices with a punching bag. (TIAN JIANMING / WANG RONG / FOR CHINA DAILY)

Chen (right) and his teammates warm up before a training session at the club. (TIAN JIANMING / WANG RONG / FOR CHINA DAILY)

Chen carries a teammate during a training session. (TIAN JIANMING / WANG RONG / FOR CHINA DAILY)

A Niu watches Chen warming up before attending the contest on Nov 28. (TIAN JIANMING / WANG RONG / FOR CHINA DAILY)

A Niu massages his son's legs after a training session. (TIAN JIANMING / WANG RONG / FOR CHINA DAILY)

Chen (center) fights an opponent in a contest for young free-combat enthusiasts in Jiaxing on Nov 28. (TIAN JIANMING / WANG RONG / FOR CHINA DAILY)