In the world of Chinese martial arts, there is a remarkable woman who embodies both extraordinary talent and captivating beauty. With her delicate and elegant appearance, she exudes the charm of a graceful beauty, yet her love for Chinese martial arts runs deep.
Born into a family with a long martial arts heritage, she has achieved greatness in the realm of martial arts from a young age. She possesses a profound knowledge and proficiency in all eighteen martial arts disciplines. Clad in a black training suit, she moves with effortless finesse, executing flips, kicks, and strikes with unparalleled precision and power. Armed with short swords and long knives, she exudes an aura that has earned her the accolade of “Kung Fu Goddess,” celebrated by netizens as a female hero.
Amidst the allure of her appearance, her passion for martial arts shines through brightly. She devotes herself to promoting and advocating for the teaching and development of traditional Chinese martial arts. It is this dedication that has led her to become an internet sensation, gathering a vast number of fans on social media platforms.
Today, let us draw closer to this extraordinary “Warrior Spirit” as we explore her journey in the realm of traditional martial arts. Witness how she gracefully embraces both talent and beauty while demonstrating her profound knowledge in the eighteen martial arts disciplines.
Not Fond of Dolls, But Fond of Big Swords.
Dreaming of becoming a "martial arts master" since childhood.
My name is Zhang Hanliang, born into a martial arts family, and I’ve been fascinated with martial arts since I was little.
When I was around three or four years old, there were already many apprentices at home.
While other little girls enjoyed playing with dolls, all my toys were knives, guns, staffs, and swords.
Since childhood, I have been particularly interested in these weapons. Every day, I would see many people practicing in the courtyard, thinking how skilled this person is, and how skilled that person is. So, from a young age, I dreamed that when I grew up, I would also become as skilled as them.
Zhang Hanliang’s Only Childhood Photo.
A picture taken with grandpa when she was 2 years old.
Influenced by her upbringing and surroundings since childhood, Zhang Hanliang naturally embarked on the path of martial arts. At the age of eight, she entered the Martial Arts Team of Wuwei Sports School for systematic training. In Zhang Hanliang’s journey of martial arts practice, there is one person who plays a crucial role.
That person is Zhang Hanliang’s father, Mr. Zhang Hongmou, a renowned figure in the Chinese martial arts community. When asked about her father’s support, Zhang Hanliang’s conversation is ceaseless. So, what heartwarming stories exist between this father and daughter, who share the same passion for martial arts?
A Strict Mentor and a Supportive Father.
He is the greatest source of motivation on the path of martial arts.
In my heart, he is both a loving father and a strict one. Throughout life, he has shown special care and attentiveness towards me, even more delicate than my mother. However, he can also be very stern, especially when it comes to pursuing martial arts skills.
When I was a child and had to practice a technique, if I couldn’t get it right, he would make me practice it 100 more times in a day until I could hardly stand up. He would continuously explain the essence of that movement to me.
Sometimes, I would feel quite aggrieved, but then he would meticulously give me a full-body massage to help me relax. During this process, he would use martial arts to impart some profound life principles
I started learning martial arts at the age of 7, and when I was 8, my family decided to send me to the Wuwei Sports School Martial Arts Team for systematic training. I became the youngest child in the school.
As part of the professional team training, I had to live at the school and couldn’t go home often. When I was 12, nearing the time for the Lunar New Year, I was eagerly anticipating the holiday, looking forward to going home almost every day.
However, a few days before the holiday, the coach informed me that I had to participate in a special training program. My mood instantly plummeted, feeling like I had fallen into a deep abyss. I called my father in tears and told him, “I want to go home, I don’t want to train anymore.”
Upon hearing my words, my father smiled and said, “I miss you too, but you need to be a strong child. We believe that you can become even stronger.”
With his encouraging words, my negative emotions were completely turned around, and it strengthened my determination to continue my martial arts training.
With a father’s love as strong as a mountain, Zhang Hanliang gained the confidence to persist in her training. At the age of 13, she won the Gansu Province Women’s Swordsmanship Championship, and at 17, she became the champion in women’s swordsmanship and women’s spear techniques at the national martial arts competition. At 20, she earned a series of championship titles in various competitions, including Tai Chi and swordsmanship.
Talking about her experiences of winning awards, Zhang Hanliang tells us that martial arts is not just about perseverance and continuous practice, but also requires a calm and careful understanding. In 2007, she started working as a martial arts teacher at Tianshui Normal University. As a teacher, she passes on her understanding of martial arts to her students.
Having the right attitude towards martial arts is a prerequisite.
Thinking and diligent practice are equally important.
For me, having the right attitude towards martial arts comes first.
When giving the first class to my students, I always teach them to have a proper attitude towards martial arts.
I would tell them, “If you are here just to pass time, that’s not possible. I hope that after attending my classes, you can gain something. I don’t want you to simply go through the motions in my class.”
Not only do you need to practice, but you also need to think and constantly contemplate the movements. Every day, stand in front of the mirror to feel it, and you will have different sensations during morning and afternoon practice.
After becoming a teacher, I try my best to impart all my experiences to the students. I also hope they can receive better skill training and positive guidance. When they step into society, they can better serve the community and fulfill their martial arts dreams.
As a martial arts champion and instructor, mentioning each of these roles makes Zhang Hanliang feel a heavier burden and greater responsibility. However, just as the core essence of martial arts is “never giving up,” she continuously raises the bar for herself.
In early 2019, she decided to share her martial arts training videos on a short video platform. Unexpectedly, this decision brought her widespread attention, and she became a “martial arts internet celebrity” in the eyes of many fans. Embracing this new identity, Zhang Hanliang is full of anticipation for the opportunities it brings.
Being a martial arts internet celebrity is exciting,
and it has allowed her to achieve new social value.
Regarding my new identity as a “martial arts internet celebrity,” I’m actually very excited.
The traffic brought to me by online platforms, whether it’s the number of clicks or likes, always brings me immense joy.
The higher the number of clicks and likes, the more it shows that people like my work and that more people are seeing it.
Perhaps among these people, there are some who, after watching my work, develop an interest in and love for martial arts, and even decide to pursue a career in martial arts. This makes me particularly thrilled and motivated.
My happiness doesn’t come solely from being a martial arts internet celebrity; my happiness comes from bringing more meaningful value to society.
As a teacher, a martial artist, and an internet celebrity, regardless of which role I play, my ultimate goal is to promote and spread Chinese martial arts.
Over the past two years, my team and I have used our spare time and internet platforms to create, choreograph, record, and promote over a hundred videos based on traditional Chinese martial arts culture.
In my heart, Chinese martial arts holds a unique position in the world and cannot be replaced by any other sport. My objective is to actively promote the excellence of Chinese martial arts culture and let more people appreciate the charm of traditional Chinese martial arts. I firmly believe that the future of Chinese martial arts will reach the pinnacle of the world, illuminating every corner of the globe with its brilliance.
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