Bajiquan (Eight Extremes Boxing)
    
    Bajiquan or the eight extremes boxing is also known as the open-door eight extremes boxing, which is one of the traditional Chinese boxing schools. Bajiquan is known for its force-fullness, simplicity and combative techniques. According to Wushu proverbs: ˇ°For ministers, Taijiquan is used to run the country and for generals, Bajiquan is used for defending the country.ˇ± From this it can be seen that Bajiquan holds a significant position among various Chinese boxing school. The Meng Village of Cangzhou in Hebei Province is the birthplace of the Eight Extremes and while it is mainly practised in north China, it is also found in some places in the south. The Wu-style eight extremes boxing is said to have a history of more than 260 years. It was passed on from a traveling senior monk to Wu Zhong of the Meng Village. The book of Secrets of the Eight Extremes Boxing, therefore, proclaims that the Monk was the creator of the eight extremes boxing and Wu Zhong was the first successor. Because of his excellence at spear play, Wu Zhong was known as Spear God Wu, the number one spear fighter from Nanjing to Beijing.
ˇˇˇˇThe eight extremes boxing is simple and plain. It consists of short yet menacing moves that are forceful, powerful and abrupt and demands hard play in both attack and defence. Elbows are often used in straightforward ways. The explosive powers generated are stimulated through breathing which is articulated by two sounds of ˇ°Hengˇ± and ˇ°Ha.ˇ± Powerful blows are delivered from elbows and shoulders in close combat against the opponent (Fig. 13).