American becomes martial arts master in China’s central Wudang Mountains

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Eleven years after he started martial arts training in central China, American Jake Pinnick has returned to the Wudang Mountains in Hubei province to teach others. Pinnick was a fan of Chinese kung fu since his childhood days in the US state of Illinois, and obsessed over films starring Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen and Sammo Hung. In 2021, he became a kung fu master at the Wudang Daoist Traditional Kungfu Academy. Pinnick says his ultimate goal is to promote authentic Chinese martial arts in the US.
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[@fengliu5987]

This monastery is more breathtaking than those portrayed in video games.

[@IEatYourSandwiches]

One of the lamest things I've ever read

[@lyhthegreat]

@@IEatYourSandwiches he's not wrong its breathtakingly beautiful..go bring bring your bs elsewhere..

[@niubi3923]

No it’s terribly maintained and persevered, compared to the ones in Korea and Japan. I’m Chinese btw

[@Brimikonizzle]

@@niubi3923 We all know is Taiwan #1.

[@williamwan3712]

@@niubi3923 哥，日本韩国 那些所谓的“古建筑”凡是好看的，基本都是重建的。。 If you are Chinese then you know what I am talking about

[@WudangWay]

A little late but thank you SCMP for sharing my story! I am very grateful that I have the chance to share Wudang with you all! Hope to see you in the misty mountains someday! ;)

[@getuptogetdown918]

I shall visit in a couple of weeks, can’t wait. Looking to get some time to paint in and maybe try some hiking.

[@kristianso3250]

learning the chinese language alone is a tremendous achievement! add the mastery of kung fu, wow! 😳

[@jhellothereguy3844]

Nut cracking on a whole new level

[@MetalGearTenno]

Mandarin isn't that difficult to learn. Chinese people always say how complex their language is but that is just national pride. The Chinese language is very simple and primitive. They also claim they are the oldest known civilization in the world but that isn't true either. Chinese civilization aren't even in the top 7 oldest civilizations in the world. Now the Finnish language. That is very complicated and is infact the most difficult language to learn in the world. Europe has the most complex forms of language and the most advanced, cultured and a far greater civilization. Sorry communist China but your way behind. 😊

[@jhellothereguy3844]

@@MetalGearTenno nut cracking essay

[@salumtummundi9462]

@@MetalGearTenno Everything you said was your pride.

[@q_q123]

@@salumtummundi9462 gottem

[@Mihu04]

This is what I like to see. Not ignorant people pushing there weight around because they think they can.

[@jhellothereguy3844]

Are you idiot? It call imagination

[@Mihu04]

@@jhellothereguy3844 What did I say?

[@jhellothereguy3844]

@@Mihu04 they think they can

[@jhellothereguy3844]

@@Mihu04 it should be imagination

[@saltyegg7099]

@@jhellothereguy3844 idky but it's rude to call a person an idiot

[@biohazard737]

He's more Chinese than me! It's weird how some ppl r so open minded and eager to learn, but then there r others who r the complete opposite

[@banggoman7371]

Im not chinese but people thought Im chinese thats weird..

[@Xeggs]

@@banggoman7371 ?

[@REEEPROGRAM]

@@banggoman7371 then what nationality you are in?

[@questworldmatrix]

@@banggoman7371 Why, are you Japanese, Korean, Inuit, etc.?

[@ishworshrestha3559]

Kk

[@mrrobot4840]

These mountains are so clean. This music and the clean air+ martial arts. It's a perfect combo

[@jhellothereguy3844]

I practise in shanghai the air here is nice too btw

[@truehappiness4U]

@heimer donger there are Chinese martial arts organizations who also give Chinese instrument lessons in the Chinese mountains where they are located. These organizations also welcome international tourists so they have a translator with them or the Chinese master can also speak some English.

[@Nnm26]

Clean chinese air is such an oxymoron.

[@yuno2903]

That's why avatar movie was inspired by Zhangjiajie

[@cindymmm11]

Beautiful

[@Clee-os6pv]

As an Asian? I going to give my respect towards him. He was able to achieve 2 things.

[@fjp9]

i think it is more than two things, the musical instrument, language, kung fu and the level he is at, the ability to not only practice but also teach including acceptance by the students and the others there to be able to teach them regardless of his ethnicity, etc.

[@jeffrey7737]

I smell a fake

[@xxxjohn6486]

@@jeffrey7737 i smeel an ignorant

[@haidicheng5142]

Naw, guys like JCVD are fake, this man is legit.

[@shawnshawn8685]

@@jeffrey7737 That’s the loser smell in your room

[@seifixnetwork4663]

When you are reincarnated as western but your soul belong to ancient Chinese master

[@cjmartinez8318]

Now that sounds like shadow fight 3, when your character is western but knows Chinese martial arts.

[@tenzinch1187]

👍

[@anilov3649]

Manhua be like

[@xavierjose1490]

@@anilov3649 YES!!!! HAHAHAHA!!!!

[@MountainMoo]

but western christian don't believe in reincarnation

[@AcerAz115]

This is how you give respect to the culture you love. Try to learn their language adopt their ways and just be down right wholesome. When people go to foreign countries and try to speak their language, even if broken or very little it goes a long way. Much respect to this guy.

[@sunflowergarden9794]

I’m speechless. This is breathtaking

[@jhellothereguy3844]

I am more speechless at a sunflower garden

[@sunflowergarden9794]

@@jhellothereguy3844 I am more speechless at a jello guy

[@jhellothereguy3844]

@@sunflowergarden9794 how do i taste

[@sunflowergarden9794]

@@jhellothereguy3844 Rotten hahahaha

[@jhellothereguy3844]

@@sunflowergarden9794 it appear sunflower garden need some pesticide

[@jas_log133]

How his heart appreciate, admire and love this art plus his respect is amazing

[@shengchuangfeng227]

In his previous life, he was definitely a Chinese martial arts master!

[@abdur1300]

american martial arts master

[@sunniedae2031]

@@abdur1300 that's in this life

[@lracfilib]

Ok

[@rampage4695]

@@abdur1300 do you know what the meaning of previous?

[@rimuruains3601]

That time i got reincarnated as a KungFu Master

[@-caesarian-6078]

This level of cultural exchange is what is needed for nations to stop demonizing their counterparts in other parts of the world, this man took the biggest step he could towards true world peace!

[@wonderfulworldwelive]

Wrong, it's the rulers that cause problems.

[@ebonymaw8457]

Yea, the demonizing is usually motivated by politicians. Most people on their own don't just normally hate other people

[@Kimera92]

@Vlad Tepes honest question. Are you chinese?

[@adamp_]

@Vlad Tepes if you just spam that comment 300 more times under every comment im sure xi jinping will resign in shame and china will be saved

[@blushihtzu]

Stop with the political correctness BS. The people deserve better. CCP and the establishment Dem/GOP are evil.

[@justinx.5154]

This place must be like heaven, its just like giving up all the materialistic things and entering a new world

[@JonLa89]

He's Doctor Strange in the making

[@FecalMatador]

I wouldn’t say giving up everything. He’s not a monk. He’s using a smartphone.

[@melikefish1734]

I don't like tech much its a huuuuge mistake that well some people already knew it was coming

[@brad9888]

Which I would do in a heartbeat if I had the chance

[@WarriorBoy]

@@JonLa89 More like Iron Fist. The actual version, not the Netflix trash.

[@user-mh4kh4tm9u]

A very sincere and dedicated man. His life is meaningful.

[@drlegitness5225]

OHHH SHIBAL SA KIE

[@KevinTroy777]

And then he turns out to be a very dedicated spy....

[@kimkardashi-un9167]

Shibal

[@emmamcgorrin2478]

So his life is meaningful because you say it is

[@win5954]

@@KevinTroy777 what is there to spy on in a rural place in the mountains

[@nuketheu.s3342]

Eastern architectures are amazing. The way nature and that monastery blend is so satisfying to see

[@joydeeppce]

The best part is that his dream has come true and his hard work and sacrifices has paid off! Thr r ppl who wants to achieve so much but they can't even get out of thr room!

[@glanced9684]

And I took that personally 😆

[@abdiver12]

What a fascinating story. I just wish it was so much longer! There are so many questions I have about this man that simply cannot be answered in 1 minute.

[@sylviac9087]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooWci6WQrcuGprs A little bit more about him

[@EverydayEasyChinese]

Love his dedication! It's so heartwarming to see :)

[@swrutra]

Nowadays it is rare to find an anglophone person speaking any language other than his own. Moreover, many people learn Mandarin just for business, not because they have a genuine interest in Chinese culture. This respectable Western man is one of a kind in many respects.

[@swrutra]

@@norwegian6475 I cannot agree with you, because it depends on the region you want to talk about. There are places where the most widespread second language is not English, but French (northwestern Africa) and Russian (in many ex-Soviet republics). Some peoples are known for their frequent knowledge of multiple languages, like the Finnish, the Slovaks and the Swiss.

[@cyborgchicken3502]

@@swrutra weeeelll in Africa the people that speak French don't speak it because they genuinely like French culture, but because they were colonized and enslaved by the a French

[@schoolofgrowthhacking]

Not true, English is my native language but I can speak seven different languages. And a lot of the foreigners that you hear speaking English aren't actually using it as their native language. I heard a German lady speaking English in Vietnam today for example.

[@krashd]

We live in an Anglophonic world, maybe it will some day be Mandarin-based but until then people really have no need to learn anything else once they have learned English.

[@Nana-zx9er]

@@swrutra I'm Slovak and it warmed my heart that you mentioned my country here, as not many people know about us :) I agree that most people speak more languages partly due to demographic reasons but then it would be enough just to know basic words/phrases, however once you know more than that it opens a new world. I'd love to be as fluent as he is in Chinese someday.

[@Tanakun09]

This man has my respect. He has dedicated himself to learn kung fu and the language. You sir, are a scholar and gentleman

[@sourdurian2839]

wow kudos to master Jake! Being able to speak fluent mandarin is a real achievement in itself. To top it off, a Kung Fu master. Well done!

[@EmperorDraconianIV]

Reminds me of the Chinese cowboy in Texas with a perfect American accent. This is true cultural appreciation. But Wu Tang did it first.

[@thebat9301]

A true master, is one who endured hardships.... No matter how trivial or complex And i mean, NO MATTER HOW TRIVIAL OR COMPLEX ! ALL OF YOU BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE ARE MASTERS

[@gisannramharack6332]

Definitely inspiring. Always go for ur dreams..Never let anything or anyone stop u from accomplishing all that u have in that mind of yours..u/we deserve the best

[@jhellothereguy3844]

Then i will accomplish my dream by being friend with stalin

[@fabianreusch4870]

@White Tiger are you white?

[@fabianreusch4870]

@White Tiger Bro don't admire white people like that lol I'm white myself but there's too many bad things in this world only white people are responsible for... Like i get what you mean when you say "they truly chase their dream" but like, there's non white people living their dreams too? You know, just appreciate who you are and well, try making your dream a reality 😉

[@gisannramharack6332]

@@jhellothereguy3844 Lol

[@zyx7478]

I learned martial arts in Taiwan and the PRC, many years ago I taught some children in Shandong some martial arts classes. The parents were very supportive even though I’m not Chinese. Those were fun days. 他們的小孩子學得很用功😊

[@andrazaga]

In US asian being bullied and in China American being a master shaolin, what a great world .

[@conscarcdr]

You are in a parallel universe, where Skallagrim becomes a Kung Fu master instead.

[@camrendavis6650]

Lol. I have a lot of respect for Skall but i cannot see him doing this XD

[@zacheray]

Wow a Skall reference

[@johndough8115]

@@camrendavis6650 Skall has never really met a true master of Chinese arts. Such a rare event can be a life changer. When everything you think you know + do.. is pretty much shattered and decimated.. Easily... then your whole world changes.

[@annedrieck7316]

Chinese Calligraffy with Jazza

[@Team_Slacker]

This man is the true immortal Iron Fist.

[@vands3909]

From kun lun... Or doc strange

[@lifehope4201]

Environment is so Soothing and beautiful..... very much calm and peace.... Love from india❤️

[@Azami0001]

Now this guy is living life. I wish I can do martial arts again and do something like this.

[@sreeshanv9215]

Wish I could visit this place one day! Love from India♥

[@takutosizu2468]

🙄😑

[@themanwithinflatableknees8770]

Always a pleasure to see such dedication in a person. A double pleasure to see anyone who sees the beauty in other cultures

[@Puuuurrrr]

You put in the time and effort, you deserve the respect.

[@roninja6929]

Legit 80s US martial arts character. 😆 Much respect to this fighter 👏🙏

[@zulucruz664]

If people migrates to US and having a successful life is called living an american dream. The guy is living the kungfu panda’s dream

[@LV226]

He’s living it!!!! He’s living the kung fu movie dream we all have when we first watch that great king fu movie!

[@andrewhillerich4878]

Once you see him up close and hear his voice the likeness is lost, but when I saw the thumbnail I thought I was seeing Skalladrim.

[@nos8141]

Lol. They have the similar beards style

[@s1050]

Wow respect to this guy. He obviously has decades of study and experience. Very impressive 👍

[@Hermit-Crab]

There’s a German guy by the name of Youlihan who has been practicing and teaching Wudang martial arts in China for a long time. His martial arts is really quite amazing.

[@robintholing6001]

Ismet Himmet is his full name, if anyone is interested

[@nathan_drake1237]

That’s amazing, I would like to know more about the person

[@Hermit-Crab]

@@nathan_drake1237 Yes, Ismet Himmet is his name. Just search for Ismet Himmet in KZbin and you can see a lot of his videos.

[@brainstew8922]

I had a lecturer in a marketing class one day who shared a personal opinion once and asked out loud, "shouldn't it just be one country? Why do we have so many countries and borders? Shouldn't we all just be citizens of just the world?" I often think back about that lecture and wonder if the world really might have been better had it fallen into a different kind of system or power.

[@dojadog1337]

Impossible cause people are so different

[@Livingtree32]

@@dojadog1337 But people are different also in one country, so?

[@eyuelnegash2681]

Beautiful chines music on the background💚

[@ZealFox]

I don’t like how some people in this comment section had the audacity to compare. Like... geez people... follow this man as an INSPIRATION of motivation and respect, not something to slap other people for their circumstances of being unable to live life to their fullest ._.

[@jubayarahmed342]

The way he was going up stairs, like a normal walk, meanwhile going upstairs is struggling for me lol

[@Rikka_V1]

The atmosphere was heavenly.

[@duxlorbitxl9986]

Where does SCMP get their background music? Sounds awesome

[@lyhthegreat]

Its just typical chinese music... nothing I've not of tbh..

[@zeiitgeist]

Says a lot about your appreciation of it, there are different genres, just cause the instruments are traditional doesn't mean they are all the same...

[@xraydoge5430]

Wow he engaged into the culture not only for his own benefit. But now he is also spreading the culture to younger Chinese children

[@justshan2413]

I can't stop admiring this man's dedication. Exactly what I wanted to see and we all should learn to dedicate in what we like the most

[@peristau]

Thank you for taking him in as one of your own.

[@MultiCklee]

It shows that any governance if properly and justly administered can create a harmonious society, communist or otherwise

[@kuchikopi4631]

@@MultiCklee no, communism is bad.

[@MultiCklee]

@@kuchikopi4631 look at china and how they controlled the covid pandemic despite 1.5 billion population.....That is a testament to their ability, say what you want

[@ebonymaw8457]

@@MultiCklee Chinese numbers are fake and the ccp isn't communist anyway, despite the name

[@vincentlee7359]

@@MultiCklee Yeah the way they handled their own mess is to take away rights and silence those who talk about it. To this day, my cousin who had covid that was taken away never returned. His body never found. His family grieving in anger but they can't do a thing. What the CPP did was simple: get rid of those infected. They don't mind the loss of lives. The rest live on. Their people knows to fear the CPP. Nothing new. While over in the Western world people challenge authority.

[@serega4087]

I always had respect toward China, always loved culture, kung fu. Bruce Lee showed me beautiful China and traditions and i fell in love with everything

[@ventuno.thailand]

Bruce Lee is from Hong Kong... not China.

[@godofobelix]

He found his inner peace

[@confusedpuppo1100]

It's not that Americans *hate* Chinese culture, it's politics that forced them to say so.

[@yisusconlentes1733]

I wish I could have the courage and strength to left everything and make my dreams come true.

[@trever2244]

Anything worth doing is going to be hard. You will fail, make mistakes and make a complete idiot of yourself at times, but if you persist you will have a wonderful life.

[@allenlin9801]

I like his hair style :)

[@jhellothereguy3844]

I want to eat his hair

[@ThatGuy-zw4le]

Those man buns

[@camrendavis6650]

Chinese hairstyles are so simple but so badass

[@AZ-ee8vq]

Taoist and ancient Chinese(before 1600s) wear this hairstyle.

[@nat0106951]

2010. I remember my 2010 like it was just last week. 😅 but this man became a kung fu master in china starting from that time. time really flies fast

[@bobbysayasane3413]

He came. He conquered. Now he's going to teach Kung Fu in America.

[@rodolforaul4631]

Love from Brazil 😄✊🇧🇷🇨🇳❤️.

[@deabea9405]

Love Brazil from Chinese that live in Italy! 🇮🇹🇧🇷🇨🇳❤️

[@pantspants2951]

Hes the Mc for martial arts wuxia novel, isekaid hahaha

[@theTHwa3tes11]

😂😂😂

[@daoistsaintmasterofthenasc6220]

Haha 😂

[@Lvl1assassin]

Young Master and his sect would like to know his location

[@zerovikings5852]

I’m not sure why but Japanese and Chinese martial arts were one of the most respected and anticipated arts of all time.

[@kookoo9235]

@Vlad Tepes Nothing wrong with japanese martial arts though, jujitsu is quite widely used in MMA you know.

[@piplup10203854]

Is there more to this? I would love a documentary. I’ve been thinking of doing something similar for years but never done it but I hope he found a way to bring peace in his life and something he can find a joy in for a lifetime :)

[@Bencat1832]

He must be Chinese in his previous life. Admire his dedication of authenticity. He learned it for 10 years so as when he comes back to US and have the Martial Art business, it's Chinese legit.

[@jhellothereguy3844]

It chinese legit

[@DaveStridersworth]

Well, reincarnation does have a chance of being true, but also a chance of being fake, too

[@Water_Me_Loan_64_YT]

That’s so cool!

[@jaegervfx07]

I find Chinese culture and Indian culture so fascinating

[@kcnl2522]

If nothing works out in life for me, ima go do smth like this.

[@syedmdrizwanraza786]

Man on a mission

[@nigellim7253]

The background music is beautiful.

[@christopherjmcmanus6463]

Just amazing I can’t to get back into martial arts again

[@driplordissa]

Them proving shadow boxing is a forum of training I love it

[@Zoufu]

American math team: all Asians Chinese Kung fu master: White Coincidence? I THINK NOT

[@claiohmsolaisvinceryburkha6404]

Racist: yes

[@MaSa-bp5qe]

Dude is living the life. Wish I were there as well.

[@darrylcampbell4426]

China has some of the best scenery in the world for sure.

[@anthonyfelony]

Years of eating Mcdonalds has finally gotten into this guy

[@tacobell4968]

Ra's al ghul

[@undercoverlord]

😂

[@jhellothereguy3844]

It jackie chan knock off

[@BrendaColvin]

Beautiful

[@checkmate9099]

No matter where they are born, masters of their art always find their way home.

[@cafezo87934]

he speaks perfect chinese 👌

[@damusdeshi622]

I'm a chinese, and I don't even know how to do back kick eventhough I learned Wushu 😅😅

[@ThatGuy-zw4le]

As a half chinese, i feel you. And i can't even speak mandarin.

[@DaveStridersworth]

As a Non-Chinese, I applaud you both for honesty.

[@vroom7777]

johnny english wanna fight with u later😁

[@pengsarkashandal5814]

Gosh the Temple or training Hall pretty Awesome!!!

[@ItzZomboyMC]

they should make a documentary about him

[@justicewarrior9187]

This should have been one hour long!!! Chinese culture is absolutely stunning Too bad Mao and comunism almost destroyed it entirely

[@camrendavis6650]

Mao couldn't even if he tried. The only way you can destroy a culture is if you slaughter all of its people. Though he definitely did try, such a thing was impossible. I assure you that Chinese culture is just a strong now as it was hundreds of years ago, but countries have to modernize, you know?

[@roroforo5092]

Chinese culture was destroyed by Qing Dynasty, Communism, and Western Colonialism. Stop cherry-picking!

[@theolich4384]

The Wudang complex in the video is a UNESCO site. Check it out. Obviously it survived Mao. There're many, many more sites and heritages in China that outlasted the Culture Revolution.

[@camrendavis6650]

@@roroforo5092 no, not destroyed. It's still here

[@justicewarrior9187]

Mao burned a lot of books, destroyed temples and statues and killed those that didn't want to change to comunism

[@user-ib7jf6lc7j]

Wutang!

[@Cayde-6]

Man, his Chinese is on point

[@Mike-he3wu]

I wanna go train under him. Dude earned my respect

[@daoistsaintmasterofthenasc6220]

Now I have a reason to go to mainland china ...HAHA it's not too late to practice martial arts !!

[@lordgrim6948]

for sometimes people are just born on a wrong country

[@thomashe2496]

that's what i like to see, it was my favorite show

[@Athrunwong]

This is great, absolutely supports this.

[@wazi9968]

He's a spy from US😂

[@vigneshyenaganti3764]

Cia

[@eastdawn2471]

Wudang mountain...wudang sect...perhaps inspired by one of those Jin Yong's novels?

[@KiwiImpactSaint]

Other way around.

[@lyhthegreat]

Jin yong's novels were all inspired by actual historical facts and figures..but I don't really know if zhang san feng actually lived in this place before..

[@lanlantulan]

The enjoyment of what he likes to practise,, the tranquility, the peacefulness, the nature and the minds.. admire.

[@mrrespell516]

The way he talk chinese is smooth

[@GraphicalBoss]

That was his ticket to getting an Asian chick. 😆🤣😂

[@beandispenser6971]

@Simon Whittaker Did he stutter?

[@lungeranon7645]

You dont need to do any of that

[@jhellothereguy3844]

@@beandispenser6971 did he stutter no he meant by asian chicken

[@jhellothereguy3844]

@@lungeranon7645 he is a delusional man

[@williamwan3712]

He's a Taoist monk, U know what that mean?

[@junedwayne873]

Investing in bitcoin should be in every individual's list. Because bitcoin makes millionaire overnight...

[@gregg479]

I wanted to trade Crypto but got confused by the fluctuations in price.

[@telegramusername9571]

Yeah My first investment with Mr Michael Kane earned me profit of over $25,530 US dollars ever since then he has been delivering

[@kingjnr9446]

he's obviously the best invested 2000USD with him and I made a profit of 9101USD

[@markzilbert2244]

Trading crypto with Expert Michael kane has being a game changer for me

[@patrickwood3922]

+=1=2=1=8=2=0=3=1=5=2=0=

[@tifi4220]

american goes to china..gets his respect. chinese goes to america..gets sucker punched.

[@kamuymamushi5877]

11 years... Mighty impressive that..

[@potatomatop9326]

Alternate video title: America, literally all of them becomes martial arts masters and random asians passing by are the training dummies.

[@potatomatop9326]

@ROSE SBSM you are the stinkiest bp member.

[@TorontoDrivers416]

That building is beautiful

[@Red4score]

Man must have crazy potential to become a master in 11 years

[@JonLa89]

Kung Fu: The Legend Continues