Ten-year-old Liu Shuhan, a girl from a rural village in Bijie, Guizhou province, has drawn public attention for her skillful balance on the soft rim of a plastic basin — a feat many liken to the martial art qinggong.
A short video shot by her father went viral on social media. With sandbags on her legs, the girl pauses, steadies herself and then hops onto the basin's edge, where she walks, remarkably, without wobbling.
Viewers have called her control "true martial arts skill," with some even analyzing how it's possible for a 32-kilogram child to balance on the narrow edge of an 8-kg basin.
For Shuhan, walking on the edge is just a daily practice. Every day before and after school, she practices kung fu for a while.
Her father, a martial arts enthusiast named Liu Yong, noticed her talent when she was 6 years old. With no formal training, she could perform basic movements with ease, such as splits and the "Chaotian Kick," a one-legged stance with her other leg lifted parallel to her head. Inspired, the two have practiced together, following online tutorials.
"I want to be a martial artist," he recalled her telling him.
Over time, the girl developed a deep passion for the discipline.
The youngest of three children, Shuhan joins her siblings each morning as her father helps them strap on 1.3-kg sandbags for a 1-kilometer run. Despite a disability caused by a car accident, Liu cares for his family and works as a security guard for a local cooperative with government assistance.
"I hope that martial arts can help my children grow up strong. This is what I, as a father, should do," he told China Daily.
After Shuhan's videos gained attention, a martial arts teacher from Weining county offered the girl free lessons. Now she trains every weekend and on holidays, mastering martial arts techniques, including her signature basin walk, a technique used in Shaolin and Wudang schools.
Martial arts has given Shuhan confidence and dreams for the future. She even performed at her school's Children's Day event, drawing admiration from peers and teachers alike. After school, she often asks her father to teach her new moves.
"The best part is that she finds joy in it and truly enjoys practicing kung fu," Liu said.
Since gaining online fame, some people have invited her to train in private clubs in cities such as Beijing, but Liu has declined these offers.
"She's still young," he said. "I'd prefer she attends a martial arts school to fully develop her potential and fulfill her dream of becoming a martial artist."
Liu Boqian contributed to this story.
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