Chinese Wushu Series: Mantis Boxing
By Zhang Yuping
Published by Foreign Languages Press, Beijing, 1998
Paperback, 182 pages.

Mantis boxing is a type of boxing in Chinese martial arts created by imitating the form and the combat features of the mantis in conjunction with the attack and defense movements of Wushu. It utilizes mantis-style forelimb; in addition, it employs monkey-style footwork, and borrows effective techniques from 18 other schools of Chinese boxing including Shaolin Boxing, Tongbei Boxing, and Plum Blossom Boxing. The movements of Mantis Boxing are compact, light and skillfully connected. Its hand techniques are interlocking, but are quick and powerful. They have a strong attacking force. The movements are both hard and soft.

The book includes six chapters, describing the theory and technical movements of Mantis Boxing. It gives a detailed description of the White Monkey Steals Peach routine created by Mr. Yu Hai. Simple and refined language, combined with explicit illustrations, helps readers to grasp the theoretical knowledge of boxing and the detailed movements of the exercises.

About the author: Zhang Yuping (1965 - ), the women's national champion in the third category of traditional boxing (Ditang Quan or Ground Tumbling Boxing, and Xiangxing Quan or Animal Imitating Boxing), and the women's national sword play and cudgel play champion.