XI'AN, China, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Liu Zhenzhou, a 40-year-old villager who lived in the western part of Xi'an, just barely missed the chance to win his first golden belt in the grassroots fighting competition known as "I am the king of fighters."
"I have never given up on training all these years and it is such a pity that I missed the nation-wide fighting championship," said Liu who is the security head Zuo Village.
"I am the king of fighters" is a competition as well as a TV show that attracts grassroots fighters. The match in Xi'an is the first of the 12-stop series throughout the country this year.
As the runner-up of the 2015 "I am the king of fighters" Xi'an, Liu has no professional training experience except training informally with his friends. He said he has improved everyday, especially in recent weeks. "I practice throughly in order to beat the professional and semi- professional fighters," said the amateur kickboxer.
Liu finally entered the finals after he beat several professional fighters in the 66kg class. His opponent, a professional fighter He Shaoshuai, is both younger than Liu and 15cm taller.
In the duel, Liu took advantage at first using a unique skill known as a "whirly kick." However, he was thrown to the ground quickly by his taller and stronger opponent. After 3 rounds, judges decided that He Shaoshuai won the match.
Losing the finals again, Liu admitted he felt a little bit disappointed but he would continue to practice.
"I will persist until I am unable to fight. My apprentices and I are all lovers of boxing and fighting, and I hope we can help to spread the spirit of Chinese Kung Fu one day," Liu said after the match.
