Because of the popularity of films based on the martial artist’s life story, few can really distinguish the actual history of Huo Yuanjia from fictionalized adaptations
In the world of Chinese martial arts, Huo Yuanjia (霍元甲) is a legendary name. As the founder of China’s most influential martial arts organization Jingwu School, Huo is remembered as both a patriot who fought for the nation’s dignity and a celebrity with strong connections to political groups. While many can recount anecdotes about him, few can accurately distinguish between the historical facts and the fictionalized accounts derived from his life.
Sun Jiahui is a freelance writer and former editor at The World of Chinese. She writes about Chinese language, society and culture, and is especially passionate about sharing stories of China's ancient past with a wider audience. She has been writing for TWOC for over six years, and pens the Choice Chengyu column.
