The oath of the taekwondo elite
The river breeze swept through the treetops, and the afternoon sun poured through the tender green leaves in this century-old dojo. Seven-year-old Tan Daoliang sat on his knees on the slippery wooden floor, his hands clasped on his knees, and his posture was straight.
He looked intently at the Master in front of him, his eyes shining with admiration and longing.
"The kick should be fast, the force should be enough, and the leg should be high!" The master's palm slid through the air, demonstrating the standard side kick to the younger apprentices. Tan Daoliang narrowed his eyes, trying to keep in mind every movement and essentials of his master.
So, for ten long years, wooden stakes and sandbags became his most loyal companions. Every morning and before nightfall, he would come to the gym and practice kicking and Xi.
Sweat soaked through his training clothes, his hands wore out the skin, and the pain from the soles of his feet made him clench his teeth. But he never gave up, because that was the only shortcut to the top of martial arts.
At the age of 17, Tan Daoliang had a proud smile on his face and became a young and promising taekwondo coach. From then on, he was able to pass on his experience to his juniors and teach them how to get the right leg out and how to maintain balance with ease.
Looking at the sweaty little figures swaying their vigorous blood in front of him, Tan Daoliang realized that this was also the martial arts spirit that he had been unremittingly pursuing for many years.
20 years old is the best age for taekwondo martial artists to prove themselves. Tan Daoliang was determined to sign up for the national martial arts competition, and he solemnly said to the organizing committee: "I want more people to know that Chinese martial arts are broad and profound!" On the day of the final, he lifted his whole strength, was agile and agile, and shot like electricity, defeating all strong opponents.
The demeanor of the master of national arts
Summer days in Taiwan are often sunny. In the summer of 1970, 23-year-old Tan Daoliang came here with a heavy honor. He has just won three consecutive Korean taekwondo titles, and he is qualified enough to spread the word about the martial art he has loved for more than a decade.
However, Tan Daoliang was not in a hurry to open his own gym, but first contacted the National Sports Association and expressed his desire to promote taekwondo in Taiwan. The leaders of the association were full of curiosity and interest in this young Korean warrior.
Soon, with their strong support, the "Taekwondo Committee of the Republic of China" was officially inaugurated.
As the founder and head coach, Tan Daoliang personally mentors a group of talented young people. They get up early every day and train greedily in the dark, sweat soaked through their training clothes, and tirelessly perfect the posture and strength of every movement.
Under Tan Daoliang's strict and passionate teaching, many disciples successfully passed the assessment and became qualified taekwondo instructors.
Finally, at a world-class important sports event, Taiwan's national players fought bravely to be the first and defeated a number of strong opponents. When the referee finally announced that the Taiwanese player had won the gold medal, there was a warm cheer from the stands.
Tan Daoliang's eyes couldn't help but redden, this is the result of years of hard teaching, and it is an important step towards the success of this fledgling organization.
Later, when Tan Daoliang finished performing a set of standard taekwondo routines for Chiang Ching-kuo in the presidential palace, the scene resounded with warm applause. "Ruzi can be taught," Chiang Ching-kuo nodded with satisfaction, this young foreign martial artist let himself see the hope of Chinese martial arts spreading overseas.
In the 70s of the 20th century, after the death of Bruce Lee, the demand for Hong Kong martial arts movies increased greatly, but there was a serious shortage of talents. On this day, director Wang Xinglei sat on the set, watching the staff busy before and after, but he couldn't solve the problem of the actor candidate.
He let out a long sigh and decided to let the crew arrange the filming of other scenes first, and he plunged headlong into the script and candidate materials. Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung are not in line with the personalities of the characters in the play, and the skills of other martial arts actors cannot reach the height required by the plot.
Director Wang was so anxious that he thought of the taekwondo expert in Taiwan, Tan Daoliang, who had been an officer.
The next day, Director Wang mustered up the courage to call Taiwan and asked Tan Daoliang to come to Hong Kong for an interview. Unexpectedly, Tan Daoliang, who is usually not interested in acting, readily agreed this time.
Maybe it's because I like the fascinating storyline, or maybe I want to feel the difference between the movie industry and the martial arts circle.
The two had a great conversation in the hotel. Director Wang first solemnly praised Tan Daoliang's attainments and charm in martial arts, saying that movies can allow you to give full play to your strengths and become a new generation of action stars.
Tan Daoliang was a little apprehensive at first, after all, his stable job as an officer and a generous salary were what many people dream of. But under Director Wang's sincere expectation, Tan Daoliang finally nodded.
In this way, Tan Daoliang and the heroine Lin Fengjiao stood on the screen of the movie "Chaozhou Angry Man". During this period, the bits and pieces they spent together on the set and in the hotel made the two martial arts masters secretly fall in love.
After the film was released, it was a great success, earning more than 200,000 Hong Kong dollars at the box office on the first day! Tan Daoliang was immersed in the joy of fame and fortune, and the idea of quitting the entertainment industry has long disappeared.
The splendor of an action superstar
Since the success of "The Angry Man in Chaozhou", Tan Daoliang's film career can be described as smooth sailing, with continuous film appointments. In the blink of an eye, he has starred in more than 10 well-known action movies, and news and posters about him can be seen everywhere.
Tan Daoliang has become one of the most dazzling action stars in Asia, and the reputation of "Tan Leg" has made countless fans crazy.
Before I knew it, it was 1985, and in order to meet the needs of the market, Tan Daoliang had to participate in the filming of 17 films! Reporters complained that he was often elusive because he was always on the move.
"Action movies are like that, shooting so many fight scenes every day, and the schedule is very fast. Tan Daoliang said embarrassedly. The film company hired him with a high salary, hoping to make full use of the high popularity brought by this popular superstar.
Busyness also means physical overdraft, and Tan Daoliang was injured in the intense filming operation. once accidentally fell in a stunt shot of the cornice, and his right foot was broken; There was also a time when he was accidentally injured in the ribs in a group fight with a dozen thugs.
But he never complained, just bandaged it and then went back to shooting. He knows full well that the audience expects his flawless moves, not excuses.
During this period, Tan Daoliang has also cooperated with rising stars such as Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung many times. These juniors worship the "leg king" very much, and they also listen to his advice when directing movements.
Tan Daoliang watched them break through their own hardships one after another, grow from dragon actors to superstars, and he was sincerely proud of the latecomers.
Realistic action and stunning stunts are the biggest features of Tan Daoliang's films. For example, in the fight with Wang Dao in "South Fist and North Leg Living Hades", Tan Daoliang's set of standard and exquisite "gecko skills" made all the audience crazy.
The farewell of the heroes of the national arts
Time flies, and Tan Daoliang has been rolling in the film industry for ten years. The recently filmed "The Last Breath" is his resignation work, and a legendary martial arts star should also draw a successful end.
On this day, he came to the office of the boss of the performing arts company and solemnly handed over a written material.
"What do you think? Are you no longer satisfied with this circle?" The boss asked with a little disappointment.
"No, I came to Hong Kong with the desire to spread martial arts. It's just that it's time for me to give the younger generation a chance to shine on the screen. Tan Daoliang said modestly.
The boss sighed, and his decision to decline was actually reasonable. In the past ten years, Tan Daoliang has lived up to his mission and earned countless benefits for the company, and now it is time to enjoy life. "You're going to be missed. Feel free to come back if you need it!" The owner said sincerely.
At the same time, some of Tan Daoliang's old acquaintances and juniors also rushed to say goodbye to him. "Brother, you have to enjoy life in the United States, and my fans and I will remember to go to your taekwondo show!" Sammo Hung patted him on the shoulder and said. Jackie Chan was even more reluctant to hug Tan Daoliang.
In the third stop of his life, Tan Daoliang chose to settle in the United States. Life here is slow-paced, and there is no more oppression from film companies. His fame caused quite a stir in the local Chinese circle, and many children and their parents came to this master of national arts to learn Xi "gecko gong".
Tan Daoliang looked at their focused and serious appearance, and the seeds of taekwondo were taking root in this exotic soil.