Bow-sim Mark

Mai Baochan was born in Guangdong Province, China, and showed a lively, active temperament from childhood. From an early age she loved Peking opera and red-silk dance, and began studying martial arts, initially learning changquan (long fist) and swordsmanship. In her early years she was instructed by the famed master Fu Yonghui, one of the founders of the Central Guoshu Institute in Nanjing and a member of the legendary "Northern Five Tigers." Fu Yonghui’s martial system blended tai chi, baguazhang, xingyiquan and Wudang sword, demanding a high level of skill and emphasizing internal martial arts. According to related records, Fu Yonghui once praised Mai Baochan as having “learned everything I have” and as “a disciple who could truly become my successor.”

In the 1970s Mai Baochan moved to Boston, Massachusetts, at a time when Chinese kung fu was undergoing a major transformation, evolving from ancient combat techniques into a high‑athletic sport. She chose to build a bridge between traditional martial arts and the new school of wushu. In 1981 she began studying sword, tai chi and push hands with Li Tianji, a representative figure of the new style who was responsible for developing the competition routines for the 24‑form tai chi and the 32‑form tai chi sword, helping make these widespread daily exercise routines.

Mai Baochan’s influence in the martial arts world continued to grow. She was one of three founders of the U.S. National Chinese Wushu Association and taught at many venues, including Harvard University. With an American troupe she created a female solo dance based on the ancient poem “Song of Yangguan,” fully demonstrating the fusion of martial arts and performance. That dance vividly conveyed the sorrow of parting, with stage work that was fluid, natural and elegant. In class she projected a gentle, wise persona, stressing the importance of listening to the body and often asking students, “Do you believe in yourself?”

As America’s first modern wushu coach, Mai Baochan trained many outstanding students—such as Nick Gracenin, a visually astigmatic black‑belt competitor who became a prominent U.S. martial arts representative. Her children include actor Donnie Yen (Zhen Zidan) and athlete Zhen Zijing. In 1995 she and her students achieved excellent results at the World Wushu Championships, earning her the title “Kung Fu Queen.” She was also named Martial Artist of the Year by Black Belt magazine and hailed as one of the most influential martial artists of the 20th century.

Beyond traditional martial arts, she continually innovated, integrating martial arts into theater and dance and producing several works that blended martial practice with the arts. She was an active promoter of women’s wushu and witnessed and supported the growth of national women’s wushu associations in the United States. Mai Baochan received many honors, including a gold medal at an international tai chi competition in 1984 and being named one of the 100 most influential martial artists in 2000.