Weider Introduces Bodybuilding to China

By Rob Wilkins
Special Assistant to IFBB

China, (People's Republic of China), is the third largest country in the world, with a population of 1.3 billion or 22% of the total population in the world. It is also one of the four oldest civilizations in the world with a written history that can be traced back over 4,000 years. The martial arts were one of the primary methods of physical fitness due to their ability to develop cardiovascular fitness as well as muscular strength. Prior to Ben Weider's influence, weight training was rare in China. However, Chinese youngsters were fascinated with this new sport called bodybuilding and the muscles that it built.

Bodybuilding was practically non-existent in this great county until 1954 when Ben Weider, invited by Mr. Chen Lien Hua, the former Sport Director for China, laid the foundation by conducting bodybuilding lectures at the largest institutes and universities in China. "In Shanghai I gave lectures at the Chinese Institute of Physical Education and Sport and gave lectures at Beijing University. Through my lectures I introduced the Weider Training Principles which I am proud to say are now being used by athletes in all sports," commented Weider.

Each year several hundred instructors graduated from these courses and they were dispatched to clubs and universities around the country to teach and spread the bodybuilding word. For his efforts in introducing bodybuilding to China, Weider was recognized in 1988 with an Honorary Professorship from the Shanghai Institute of Physical Education, People's Republic of China.

During the late '70s and early '80s Weider met with the leading Chinese Olympic officials and members of the Sport Federation to educate them on the positive benefits of bodybuilding. Weider's efforts led to official recognition by the Chinese government and the organization of the Chinese Bodybuilding Association (CBBA), the IFBB National Affiliate in China.

After the establishment of CBBA, to include its rules and regulations for male bodybuilding competitions, Weider, sensitive to the Chinese culture and the reluctance of Chinese government officials allowing women to appear onstage in bikinis (posing suits), immediately went to work on eliminating the fears that officials had related to women competing.

"In fact, in those days, it was against the Chinese culture to have women participate in bikinis so there were no bikinis sold in China," Weider said. "After a number of discussions with the Minister of Sport and members of his council, I was able to eliminate their fears and they granted permission for the women to compete in bikinis purchased from Hong Kong, which at that time, was an independent area operated by the British."

Weider's tireless efforts finally paid off as the officials agreed that women should also be part of the program and officially acknowledged women's bodybuilding. To say the first female bodybuilding competition was a huge success would be an understatement as it attracted more than 500 journalists and 18,000 enthusiastic fans.

Since 1980, bodybuilding has been recognized as an official sport in China and both men and women participate in highly spirited competitions held throughout the country. In 1994, Shanghai was the site of the IFBB World Amateur Bodybuilding Championships. Bodybuilding is such a popular sport in China that Chen Gin, an enthusiastic bodybuilding supporter, bicycled over1,500 miles to Shanghai to see the IFBB's World Championships in person. As a token of appreciation and friendship, Gin presented Weider with a flag from his hometown to thank him for his efforts in bringing bodybuilding to China.

The success and popularity bodybuilding now enjoys in China would not be possible if it were not for the efforts of Professor Lou ZhuoYu who has dedicated his entire life to the promotion of bodybuilding and teaching the wonderful benefits of a physically active lifestyle to people throughout China. In Shanghai, Professor Yu teaches the highly effective Weider Principles of training and from 1984 to the present, more than 2,000 students have graduated from the Shanghai Physical Culture Sport Institute, Professor Yu's highly respected learning center.

The graduates teach the Weider Principles at universities, schools, and fitness centers throughout China.

Commenting on the success of bodybuilding in China is Mr. Paul Chua, IFBB Vice President for Asia, "Since the early fifties when Mr. Ben Weider introduced it to the communist regime, bodybuilding has enjoyed immense popularity and is one of the fastest growing sports in the People's Republic of China. Today the press and T.V media glamorizes the sport of bodybuilding and it has been accepted in their school curriculum. I am extremely proud with the progress of bodybuilding in this country." As the popularity of bodybuilding continues to grow in China, there has been a dramatic need to provide coaches and competitors with information to assist them in their contest preparation. Now, Mr. Gu Qiao, who is presently organizing Weider Coach Classes in numerous cities and towns throughout the People's Republic of China, will provide instruction related to topics such as nutrition, training and posing. Under the direct guidance of Gu Qiao, these classes will graduate thousands of new coaches who are eager and excited about teaching students, all over the country, the latest Weider methods.

In his role as bodybuilding's number one ambassador, Ben Weider continues his active support in promoting bodybuilding throughout China and has donated a complete state-of-the-art bodybuilding training gym to the Shanghai Institute of Physical Education and Sport, in order to encourage physical fitness and bodybuilding in the Chinese athletic community.

Fifty-years ago Chinese officials resisted bodybuilding because they considered it a "bourgeois" sport created in the U.S. Through persistence and sport diplomacy, they eventually overcame their worries and fully accepted bodybuilding, which is now one of the most admired and respected sports in China. For the most current information related to the IFBB, check out the official web site at www.ifbb.com.

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Rob Wilkins is a Technical Sergeant in the US Air Force stationed at The Pentagon, Washington, DC. Wilkins is also a Special Assistant to the International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFBB) and a recipient of the IFBB Gold Medal. To contact Wilkins e-mail him at robifbb@yahoo.com.