Souleymane Hima Oumarou, a doctoral candidate at Hebei University in Baoding, Hebei province, has been in China for over a decade. For him, the most valuable experience of his time in China has been learning the moves and culture associated with Chinese martial arts. Oumarou, who hails from Niger, first came to Hebei University in 2012 as an undergraduate, not only for an education, but also to fulfill his dream of learning the Chinese martial art of kung fu.
Prior to enrolling at Hebei University, Oumarou studied Mandarin for a year at Beijing Language and Culture University. Now, he speaks the language fluently. According to Oumarou, learning Chinese martial arts has been an integral part of his understanding of Chinese culture. “I like Chinese martial arts very much, because I think it helps me better understand Chinese culture,” he said.
Oumarou’s love for Chinese martial arts has deepened over the years, and he now practices a variety of styles, including Shaolin Kung Fu and Tai Chi. Through his practice, he has gained a deep appreciation for the philosophical underpinnings of the martial arts. “Chinese martial arts are not just about fighting,” he said. “They are also about cultivating one’s mind and character.”
For Oumarou, learning Chinese martial arts has not only enriched his understanding of Chinese culture, but also given him a deeper appreciation for his own culture. “I think there are many similarities between Chinese martial arts and the traditional African martial arts that I grew up with,” he said. “Both emphasize the importance of discipline, respect, and self-control.”
In addition to his love for martial arts, Oumarou is also passionate about education. As a doctoral candidate in education, he hopes to use his knowledge and experience to help promote education in Africa. “I believe that education is the key to development,” he said. “And I hope to use what I have learned in China to help improve education in my home country of Niger.”
For Oumarou, the experience of learning Chinese martial arts has been transformative. Through his practice, he has gained a deep understanding of Chinese culture and a greater appreciation for his own culture. He hopes to continue practicing martial arts and using his knowledge and experience to help promote education and development in Africa.
After being captivated by martial arts movies featuring renowned martial artists like Jackie Chan and Jet Li, Souleymane Hima Oumarou became a fan of kung fu. He was inspired to learn kung fu himself to be like his idols. Oumarou joined the martial arts association of Hebei University in Baoding, Hebei province, where he was studying as an undergraduate student, and trained under the guidance of Duan Shuxing, an instructor in the association.
Under Duan’s tutelage, Oumarou started his kung fu journey by practicing basic moves such as Eight Extremities Fist, also known as bajiquan, and the art of tai chi. He continued his practice even after he completed his undergraduate studies and stayed on in China to pursue a doctoral degree at the same university. Oumarou felt that his understanding of Chinese culture had deepened through the study of martial arts, which has a long history in China.
Oumarou believes that kung fu not only develops physical strength but also cultivates mental discipline and concentration. He has experienced firsthand how kung fu has helped him become more focused in his academic pursuits. His passion for martial arts has also led him to explore various styles of Chinese martial arts beyond kung fu, such as sanda and wushu.
Through his dedication to learning kung fu and other martial arts, Oumarou has become an advocate for the promotion of Chinese martial arts and culture in his home country of Niger. He hopes to inspire more people to learn about Chinese martial arts and deepen their understanding of Chinese culture.
Learning martial arts is not an easy feat, especially for Souleymane Hima Oumarou, who began his training at the age of 29. However, his passion for Chinese martial arts fueled his perseverance to overcome difficulties and improve his skills. The 36-year-old student recalls that he had to put in more effort to learn advanced moves due to his late start.
Despite the challenges, Oumarou’s instructor, Duan Shuxing, recognizes his hardworking and energetic personality. The doctoral candidate has made great strides in the past seven years, and Duan commends his progress. Oumarou has a learning style that involves emulating the moves of past kung fu masters, and Duan believes that the spirit of bravery and loyalty from these masters has made him more energetic.
Oumarou’s dedication to Chinese martial arts has enabled him to master multiple boxing techniques and traditional Chinese weapons. He has been practicing Eight Extremities Fist, also known as bajiquan, and tai chi since 2015. Oumarou’s passion for martial arts has also led him to become a member of Hebei University’s martial arts association, where he continues to learn and improve his skills.
In conclusion, despite being a late starter, Oumarou’s passion and dedication to Chinese martial arts have enabled him to progress tremendously over the years. He continues to train hard and learn new techniques under the guidance of his instructor, Duan. His enthusiasm for martial arts has not only helped him deepen his understanding of Chinese culture but has also inspired others to pursue their passions.
Souleymane Hima Oumarou, a doctoral student at Hebei University in Baoding, China, has found his greatest learning experience to be the study of Chinese martial arts. Hailing from Niger, Oumarou first came to the university in 2012 as an undergraduate, aspiring to learn kung fu in China. Prior to his enrollment at Hebei University, he studied Mandarin for a year at Beijing Language and Culture University and now speaks it fluently. Oumarou is now a doctoral student, with graduation expected this year.
Oumarou developed a passion for kung fu after watching movies featuring Jackie Chan and Jet Li. He joined the university’s martial arts association, where he studied under the guidance of Duan Shuxing, one of the association’s instructors. Under Duan’s instruction, Oumarou began to practice basic moves, including Eight Extremities Fist, or Bajiquan, and the art of tai chi.
Despite not starting at a young age, Oumarou is hardworking and enthusiastic about learning martial arts. He has been forced to overcome difficulties and put in extra effort to master more advanced moves. According to Duan, Oumarou learns by emulating the moves of past kung fu masters, whose spirit of bravery and loyalty energizes him. Oumarou has already mastered multiple boxing techniques and traditional Chinese weapons.
Martial arts have not only enhanced Oumarou’s skills but also brought him more. He has made many Chinese friends through learning kung fu and has traveled to different places in China to participate in competitions. As a result, he plans to open a kung fu center in Niger after graduation, to become an instructor and teach young people martial arts. Oumarou hopes to better understand the spirit of martial arts and to become a cultural communicator between China and Niger.
Oumarou’s passion for martial arts has inspired his 2-year-old daughter, who imitates his movements when he practices. His wife is also a student at Hebei University. Despite not starting at a young age, Oumarou’s dedication and hard work have paid off in mastering multiple techniques, and he hopes to share his love of kung fu with future generations.