Master Li Quan
▶ Founder and Master of KungFu Family School.
▶ Vice-Chairman of Martial Arts Association of Xindu District in Chengdu
▶ Member of the Chinese Wu Shu Association and JKD alliance
▶ Head instructor of Chengdu AnRong Special Bodyguard Training Academy.
▶ Honorary Master of China Academy of Martial Arts, Aix-en-Provence, France.
▶ Consultant on “China Traditional Martial Virtue and International Humanitarian Law” of ICRC（International Committee of the Red Cross）
Master Li Quan's achievements were
▶ Security officer during Beijing 2008 Olympics Torch Relay
▶ Training overseas student in SiChuan University
▶ Training Airline Security guards in self-defense for airport and in-flight security
▶ Training People's Armed Police troops in hand-to-hand combat
Additional qualifications
▶ Master – Kungfu Family School, Chengdu (2010 – Present)
▶ Master – Dai Shi Men School (1997 – 2000)
▶ Master – Emei Feilong Kungfu School (1995-1997)
▶ Champion – San Da Wu Shu Tournament, 75kg weight class (1996)
▶ Certified Master – Dai Shi Men Wu Shu Institute (1997)
▶ Certified Master – Chinese Kungfu Research Academy (1994)
Biography
When he was a young boy, Master Li Quan was already deeply fascinated by Kung Fu. He grew up surrounded by a strong martial arts atmosphere, as a group of young militiamen, led by an elder martial arts instructor, trained daily in Kung Fu and cold weapons on the playground. Because he was always watching and imitating their moves, rain or shine, the adults jokingly called him “Li, the little soldier.” His sharp and enthusiastic imitation of their kicks and punches caught the attention of the master, who started giving him occasional guidance after training sessions. By the age of 10, he had already learned the basic skills, which earned him a place in the local Kung Fu community at 13, where he trained under more professional masters.
At that time, the only game he really took an interest in was training, and he often skipped classes of PE at school time such as basketball or running, but sneaked into the grove behind school building to practising wrestling with a partner. Very often he got a laughing from classmates and the stern blame given by his teacher while he showed up with messy hairs and clothes and dusty face in front of all. In that case, That would be impossible to stop pursuing his kungfu dream until that evening he accidentally got his left arm serious injury in training so that having to stay in hospital for a month. His parents were so worried and anxious about and banned him from continuing his training after the recovery.
Undeterred, Li Quan began training in secret. He created a heavy punching bag, so large that he could barely lift it, and hung it from a tree. After school, his first task was to retrieve the bag from its hiding place, punch it hundreds of times, and then carefully hide it under the hay again. Sometimes, he would quietly sneak into the horse stable late at night while his parents were asleep, spreading an old blanket on the ground to continue his training. Through his dedication, his strength and skills improved rapidly.
With newfound confidence and a strong sense of justice, he began standing up to school bullies. His successful interventions earned him recognition, but he never became arrogant about his abilities. Instead, he firmly believed in using Kung Fu to make friends and turn foes into allies. When some of the bullies he had confronted came to him to reconcile and shake hands, it exemplified his understanding of the true meaning of martial arts: promoting harmony and building connections.
At the age of 16, Li Quan gave up the idea of pursuing higher education and dropped out of high school. He was determined to deeply study Kung Fu at a more technical academy. However, in his parents’ eyes, this plan was unrealistic and even reckless. They tried to dissuade him, but when their efforts failed, they cut off financial support to prevent him from going through with it. With no money in his pockets, Li Quan knew that anger or arguments with his parents wouldn’t resolve the situation. He understood their concerns but was equally committed to achieving his dream. Ultimately, he decided to carry out his plan on his own.
He found work at a construction site, spending long days moving bricks and cement from morning to evening. Though the labor was exhausting, earning 11 yuan (RMB) per day gave him a sense of satisfaction and brought him closer to his goal. Over 10 months, he lived frugally, saving nearly all of his earnings—2,000 yuan in total—sometimes going hungry to avoid unnecessary expenses. When the time was right, he packed his belongings, left a letter under his pillow for his parents, and boarded a train bound for a Kung Fu school in Hebei Province. It was his first time leaving his hometown, and he was just 17 years old.
In Hebei, he joined the Chinese Wushu Academy, where he received systematic training in Chinese Sanda, Jeet Kune Do, traditional Baji, and Shaolin Wuxing. By 1991, he had already become the team captain of the local amateur Wushu organization and a teaching assistant to Master Xu. Three years later, he was appointed as an instructor at the Chinese Kung Fu Research Institute in Sichuan Province, where he has lived ever since.
The following year, he was assigned to teach at the Feilong Martial Arts School on Mount Emei, one of China’s Four Sacred Mountains of Buddhism. During this time, he had opportunities to interact with Buddhist monks, learning internal training and meditation techniques from them. These experiences enriched his teaching approach, turning his time in Sichuan into a period of learning while teaching. He also competed in martial arts tournaments, winning the championship in the 75kg weight class of the prestigious Sanda Tournament in 1996. These experiences not only broadened his vision but also deepened his understanding of traditional Kung Fu culture.
Li Quan was always in search of lesser-known but highly skilled masters to further his training. When he learned about Master Dai, a respected martial artist of the Emei style, he decided to leave his teaching job and move to Hanyuan to become Master Dai’s live-in student. Under Master Dai’s guidance, Li Quan learned hard Qigong, the 36 Elbows technique, Simen Bashao, and the use of traditional training equipment. In 1997, he became the first—and so far only—student to achieve the master level under Master Dai and was given the qualification to teach on his behalf.
In 1998, while working as a bodyguard providing VIP protection, he was introduced to a merchant from Hong Kong who worked in Guangdong Province. During his time there, Li Quan seized the opportunity to meet and learn from local martial artists specializing in southern styles. He studied Meihua and Wing Chun from them before returning to Hanyuan to continue his training with Master Dai.
Through years of intense training, Li Quan realized that his dream of Kung Fu was not simply about being a strong fighter, but about achieving a well-rounded and meaningful life. He understood that a true martial artist needed not only a strong body but also a wise and cultivated mind. Reflecting on the education he had missed, he decided to make up for lost time.
Master Li is the eighth of 108 students under Grandmaster Dai at the DSM Kung Fu School and is the only one who reached Master level under his tutelage. Throughout his 35 years of training and teaching, he has traveled extensively across China to learn from many reputable masters of various styles. His experience includes both traditional southern styles such as Meihua, Wing Chun, and E’mei 36 Elbows, as well as northern styles like Baji and Shaolin Wuxing and weapons. He also practiced modern fighting styles such as Chinese Sanda and JKD. Eventually he mixed and refined all of his learning to build up his own teaching approach and training system.
Master Li’s journey has been one of perseverance and dedication. He has worked as a bodyguard, trained Chinese armed forces, and coached numerous students from around the world, spreading the wisdom of Kung Fu beyond China.
In 2000, he left Hanyuan for Chengdu, a larger city with greater educational opportunities. After a few months of preparation, he successfully passed the entrance exam and was admitted to Sichuan University. There, he studied English, ancient Chinese literature, and philosophy—subjects he had always been passionate about. Achieving this milestone gave him a sense of fulfillment and brought him closer to the ideal life he had envisioned for himself.
During his university years, Master Li Quan continued his Kung Fu journey by organizing a group of international students living and studying in Chengdu. He named the group “Kung Fu Family,” keeping alive his passion for teaching and training. Over time, more and more international students were drawn to the culture of Kung Fu and came to train with Master Li. He had two goals: spreading Kung Fu around the world and building friendships through martial arts. Some of his students, including Sascha, Tenzin, Daniel Andreas, and Hugo, made significant contributions to establishing the later Kung Fu Family school and have continued to support the mission ever since. Sadly, one of his close students passed away a few years ago. Here, we express our heartfelt gratitude and remembrance for their invaluable support.
After graduating, Master Li was engaged as a Kung Fu instructor at the Southwest Airline Security College and Sichuan Normal University, where he taught students self-defense techniques and close protection skills for VIPs. In 2008, he was appointed Head of Security for the Olympic Torch Relay across China. He was responsible for protecting the team and logistics during the three-month journey across 137 cities. During the Olympics itself, he served as the Security Liaison between Holland House and the local Public Security Bureau, coordinating security arrangements for Dutch dignitaries, including the Prince and the Prime Minister.
In 2010, Master Li formally established the Kung Fu Family school in Chengdu, building on the foundation of the original Kung Fu Family group. With bold determination, he set out to spread Kung Fu globally. Regularly, he was also invited as a distinguished guest to teach hand-to-hand combat techniques to a branch of the People’s Armed Police Troop. His traditional teaching approach attracted international students from over 20 countries, as well as the attention of international media, including the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), France TV, and American documentary producers. These organizations traveled great distances to explore the mysteries of Kung Fu with him. Additionally, outlets such as the South China Morning Post and local Sichuan News have featured Master Li Quan and his Kung Fu Family in their reports.
Today, Master Li Quan is a nationally recognized martial artist and a respected member of the Chinese Wushu Association.
Despite his many societal responsibilities, Master Li Quan’s true passion has always been passing down traditional Kung Fu to his students, whether locals or individuals from other countries. He named his school “Kung Fu Family” (武道之家) to emphasize the familial bond between Kung Fu practitioners and the close relationship between master and student. For Master Li, true Kung Fu embodies the ideal of the “scholar-warrior,” a holistic concept that combines exceptional fighting skills with moral virtues and cultural knowledge. His dedication ensures that this rich tradition continues to thrive and inspire future generations.
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