By Bob Fischer

photograph by David Loew © 2007

One of the martial arts highlights of the past year was a demonstration performance by the incredibly skilled Youth Shaolin Kung Fu Troupe from Henan, China. The event was held at the 6,000-seat UIC Pavilion on September 26, 2004. The young monks thrilled the audience with feats of physical strength, flexibility, and gravity-defying movements. They demonstrated a full array of barehanded fighting techniques based on the imitation of animals such as the monkey, tiger, leopard, eagle, crane, snake, et cetera. There were dazzling displays of swordsmanship and choreographed battles using spears, staffs, whips, and cudgels.

Founded more than 1,500 years ago in the Henan Province of Central China, the Shaolin temple monastery is the oldest and most esteemed martial arts school in the world. The Youth Shaolin Kung Fu Troupe is an elite group of young boys (10–19 years old) who came from various schools throughout China to train at the monastery. The troupe’s mission is to raise awareness of the ancient Chinese martial arts by performing demonstration tours and tournaments around the world.

As a bonus, the audience was treated to a colorful performance by an amazing all-girl gymnastics troupe that accompanies the tour. There was also a special demonstration by the renowned Jesse White Tumbling Team.