Jackie Chan Shares Horrible Childhood Martial Arts Routine
Jackie Chan’s journey to becoming a global martial arts icon is rooted in an intense and often grueling childhood training regimen. At the age of six, Chan was enrolled in the China Drama Academy, a Peking Opera school in Hong Kong led by Master Yu Jim-yuen. The academy was known for its rigorous training, where students endured up to 18 hours of daily practice, encompassing martial arts, acrobatics, singing, and acting. Discipline was strictly enforced, with corporal punishment being a common method to instill obedience and perfection .(The Bioneer, Wikipedia)
In a revealing interview on Friday Night With Jonathan Ross, Chan shared insights into this challenging period of his life. He recounted the relentless nature of the training, stating, “You get up five o’clock in the morning. Training until five o’clock. We would never take off the shoes. You don’t have time to take off the shoes. Tough training. Very tough. Hours—a thousand punch, 500 kick. Pa, pa, pa … ” .(talkshowvault.com, GQ)
Chan’s parents, unable to care for him due to financial constraints, entrusted him to the academy, where he was effectively adopted by Master Yu. This arrangement meant that Chan was held to exceptionally high standards, often receiving double the training and harsher punishments compared to his peers. Despite the hardships, Chan credits this rigorous upbringing for his unparalleled work ethic and the foundation of his success in the film industry .(Wikipedia)
Reflecting on his experiences, Chan acknowledges the profound impact of his early training. He once remarked, “Sometimes I look back myself. … … I work very hard, when … ” .(GQ)
To gain a deeper understanding of Jackie Chan’s formative years and the challenges he overcame, you can watch his interview on Friday Night With Jonathan Ross below:(talkshowvault.com)
