The 55-year-old martial arts master has only one leg left but can still pass on his craft to his students. He can even leap about and strike more skilfully than an able-bodied person.
Ta Anh Dung (55, living in District 8) is a well-known martial arts teacher in Saigon. At the age of 21, the martial arts master was in a river traffic accident and had his left leg amputated above the knee.
Through determination and perseverance, master Dung did not give up. “After many sleepless nights, I thought to myself that my leg could not grow back, so I had to try my best and not be sad”, Dung said.
With his passion and coming from a family of martial artists, he was determined to pursue it to the end. Learning martial arts is already hard for an able-bodied person; for him now it is many times harder.
In his first sessions back on one leg, hobbling along, Dung had to practise keeping his balance while also practising striking, which was very difficult. “Many times while I was training, standing on one leg, I got so tired that I fell flat on the floor”, the master said.
After long practice it became familiar, and Dung’s movements became more accomplished. Many people living in District 1 know well how the master stepped into the ring in 1992 and beat many opponents, and they admire his talent.
Since then, they have sent their children to him to learn martial arts to build up their health. Dung also plays many sports, such as table tennis and swimming, despite having only one leg.
During training sessions, Dung patiently teaches his students.
The martial arts master, who has a sturdy build for his age, has trained many athletes for the Ho Chi Minh City Pencak Silat and Muay Thai teams.
Seeing his quick, decisive strikes, many people cannot help exclaiming in admiration.
After earning his master’s certificate in 2002, he was able to develop the Kim Ke Tay martial arts school and became a well-known figure in the traditional martial arts world.
One-legged martial arts master throws punches on the training floor
At present, Dung teaches martial arts in the evenings at Ly Phong Lower Secondary School (District 5).
Besides teaching martial arts, Dung also works delivering newspapers to support his family. The big newspaper offices in Saigon are no strangers to the one-legged man who cycles there every morning to collect newspapers for delivery.
However, this work of his has gradually shrunk, as each day he now delivers only a few dozen newspapers. With his income falling, Dung takes on many other jobs to earn money to help his daughter raise her child.
Dung said that many people he meets feel sorry for the impairment in his body. “But I do not want to live depending on others; while I still have the strength to work, I will work to support my family and myself”, he said.
Nguyen Quang- http://news.zing.vn/