WITH KNUCKLES AND FEET!

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 624, 28 March 1929, Page 7

WITH KNUCKLES AND FEET!

CHINESE BOXERS FIGHT TO FINISH UNDER MURDEROUS “ALL IN” RULES There Is a boxing revival in China. „. he re the sport is being taken very seriously indeed. The first national Chinese boxing, wrestling, and fencing tournament. Which was sponsored by the Government, to encourage these sports, was .arried through at Shanghai recently. There were no fewer than .'6O entrants, drawn from all parts of the Celestial Empire. \s a matter of fact, the "noble art*’ na's been practised in the "Flowery Land” for many hundreds of years iwrites N. E. Cleveland in Condon sporting Life”), and although it never reached to the artistic level of the Tjodern methods of "hit, stop, and get away.” brought to perfection by Jem Mace and other professors of the millins game, there is enough similarity in tho technique employed by the Chinese -ladiator to indicate to anyone famiTiar with ring etiquette that it was closely allied to the Anglo-Saxon sport.* The Chinese gladiators of a century a o were evidently taught how to use byth hands with equal facility, and -uould they retain ambidexterity in ■ |, e ir boxing curriculum they will be • Linserous rivals to Britishers and uncricans; in fact, to fighters of pvery nationality. U has been before pointed out that the boxer who could “change over” nuickly and deliver a straight righthander, “the long Melford,” with which George Borrow beat the Flaming Tinman, would soar above his fellows and create a revolution in the art of selfdefence. And why not? European and American fighters commence their training on much similar lines. They avcid all practices, habits, or foods injurious to health, paying particular regard to their wind, speed and stamina. The Chinaman devotes literally years to his training, subjecting himself to great hardships in the nrocess. He starts his preparation by improving his quickness of vision. This he does by leaving his bed while it is yet dusk, and then trying to define individual objects from many. This compels singleness of purpose and concentration of gaze which ensures a keener vision. He then attempts to follow the flight of a email object, a bird, fish, or animal, so long as it is in ta group. His next object is to learn to maintain an equilibrium of balance at all times and under any circumstances by practising on a table constructed for such purposes. This gives lightness of movement and agility. The strengthening and hardening of the leg muscles is done much in the same way the Anglo-Saxon adopts, with the adidtion of running long distances and the climbing of trees. His dumbbells and clubs for swinging are much heavier than those in use by British and American boxers, on the principle that the greater the weight used the quicker and more satisfactory the development. LEARNING TO FALL The Oriental pugilist goes in for shadow boxing, but it is different from that we have become accustomed to '“ring in the training quarters here. Hr works upon the theory that he will be knocked down, and therefore he karris to fall in a way to minimise the chance of injury. No gloves or padding are used by the Chinaman. He bends only his fingers at the second joints, and jabs with them. In order to harden these knuckles he will give them months of assiduous attention. When thoroughly toughened they will inflict a cut as clean as if a razor had been used. , There are no rounds according to the rules of boxing in vogue in China. The yellow-hued “pugs”- fight until one or the other is beaten beyond the Shadow of doubt. Boxing in that country permits the contestants to hit or kick any part of their opponent’s body. If one of the rivals receives an injury by a kick, no matter where it takes effect, and is. jjs a result, unable to continue, the "kicker out” has the verdict and what monetary reward there is attached to it. As proof of the ferocity shown in these so-called boxing matches, preparations were made to compensate the relatives of the contestants who might be killed or seriously injured •luring the recent national tournament. It is considered unfair to strike a rival hoxer on the frontispiece, so that no cauliflower ears” or other facial disfigurements result from these battles. During the past few years there has been a tendency to develop boxing more on Anglo-Saxon lines than hitherto. Chinese students at the European and American universities have taken a liking to the “noble art,” and many of them have become quite proficient mittsters under English and American instructors.

PORTLAND HOCKEY CLUB

(Special to THE SUN) TV H ANGAREI, Wednesday. At the annual meeting of the Portland Men's Hockey Club, Mr. D. T. Forbes presided. In moving the adoption of the report the chairman congratulated the club on having had such a successful season. . . following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Patron, Mr. T. H. Wilson; vice-patron, Mr. F. Rhodes; president, Mr. C. Shipman; vice-president * Messrs. C. Williams, J. Gillespie, A. L. Atkinson, P. Browne, F. Poolman; chairman of committee. Mr. D. T. Forbes; s *cretary and treasurer, Mr. E. Hay * •ommittee, Messrs. L. Atkinson, C. Belton, C. Carr, L. W. Wilson and R. Atkinson, with power to add: selection •ommittee, Mr. E. Hay; auditor, Mr. TV. R. Tait.