Chris John, Wushu Champion

**Scott Larson** · Posted On: 6/16/2007 11:38am

from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_John_(boxer)

"In addition to being a professional boxer, Chris John is also a member of national wushu team. His successful achievements as a wu-shu athlete include:

Gold Medalist, South East Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, 1997
Bronze Medalist, South East Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2001
Gold Medalist, Indonesian multi events games (National Olympic), Jakarta, 1996
Gold Medalist, Indonesian wushu championship"

I did not know this. WHAOMG.

**It is Fake** · Posted On: 6/16/2007 11:52am

Wow good find.

Here is an interview:
http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:...ient=firefox-a

One of Indonesia 's two world boxing champions says he's grateful that he's able to win for the people of Indonesia . Chris John recently defended his featherweight title in Jakarta . We talked about his career and goals, starting with how it all began.

CJ: My career started at a very early age of 5 to 6 years old. My father was the one who introduced me to this sport. He was a former boxer himself. Then time went by and at the age of 15, I had my first fight as an amateur boxer. I was an amateur boxer for 2 to 3 years, then I moved on to become a professional. But as I was fighting as an amateur boxer, I also jumped into wushu. And I also competed twice in the Southeast Asian Games. But when I became a professional boxer, I focused only on boxing. In 1999, I achieved my first national title, then I climbed up and grabbed the PABA (Asia Pacific Boxing Association) in 2001. I was lucky to have a good career after that. That lead me to become the world champion in 2003. I have been able to maintain my title 7 times in a row now.
IN: How good are you?
CJ: For me, I just try to be responsible and focus at what I do. I try to perform well and use great boxing techniques and maintain good stamina and physical condition in the ring.
IN: Do you feel you have to win to help give people something positive to cheer about?
CJ: I think it will automatically promote my country.
IN: What are your plans in the future. Any chance to see Chris John fight in Las Vegas ?
CJ: We have plans on that, but we must carefully consider everything. If there's an opportunity for me to compete in Las Vegas , well....it will surely improve my career, why not? But of course we have plans for a better future.
IN: And after all this boxing is over, what do you hope to be next?
CJ: I have a dream to further develop boxing in Indonesia , I want to coach and also to encourage my fellow athletes to perform better in the world stage.

Indonesia's other world titleholder is Muhammad Rachman, the reigning IBF mini-flyweight champion.

**Scott Larson** · Posted On: 6/16/2007 12:07pm

I would have never thought it would be possible.

**It is Fake** · Posted On: 6/16/2007 12:21pm

Why?

He says he started boxing first at a young age. So, his base was a fighting art. Throw away your misconceptions of Modern Wushu. It is just like gymnastics except, with interpretive forms.

Seriously, as long as it is taught as art (ballet), it is a great exercise.

Remember Modern Wushu is a performance art so, he wouldn't have to learn a bunch of bad habits.

Also, Modern Wushu isn't supposed to be the same as wushu.

**Scott Larson** · Posted On: 6/16/2007 12:57pm

I would just have thought to be a champion in both, the training would be too different. But I guess there is always your Bo Jacksons and Deion Sanders. Chris John seems to be taking that to a whole new level.

**It is Fake** · Posted On: 6/16/2007 1:07pm

Its cross training. It isn't surprising to me at all.

Boxing and wushu is like training BJJ and MT. They are so different it shouldn't affect your training.

Modern wushu again is like ballet. I mean there are many stories of big bad footballers learning Ballet for balance. To me modern wushu is in the same realm.

Don't mix hard contact kung fu with wushu training.