在海湾石油富国卡塔尔，有位27岁的中国小伙被当地人誉为“功夫王子”。凭着一身绝技，他曾击败美国海军陆战队的拳击精英及日本空手道高手，并在卡塔尔首都多哈创办了“少林武馆”。他教出的阿拉伯弟子，多次在国际武术比赛中夺得奖牌，这位“功夫王子”名叫赵飞虎!
　　
　　闯进神秘卡塔尔
　　
　　赵飞虎出生在河南登封市一个农民家庭，这里不仅是少林寺所在地，更是闻名全国的武术之乡。因爷爷和父亲都是当地有名的拳师，受家人影响，赵飞虎从小就对少林功夫十分着迷。什么大洪拳、罗汉拳、九节鞭、三节棍随便哪样练起来都呼呼生风，势不可当。17岁那年，小赵到郑州去玩，在汽车上遭遇一帮歹徒抢劫。当时对方有5个人，手里还拿着匕首和短棒等，但双方交手不到20分钟，这帮气焰嚣张的家伙就被赵飞虎打得鬼哭狼嚎，抱头鼠窜。
　　后来，赵飞虎又拜武术界赫赫有名的陆亦飞先生为师，冬练三九，夏攻三伏，晚上倒吊着练功，白天则拎着尖桶打水练臂力，武功突飞猛进。短短几年，他就练就一身精湛的少林功夫。
　　2002年初，在卡塔尔经商的表哥回国探亲时告诉他，中东人十分崇拜中国功夫，你还不如到那里去闯一闯!当时赵飞虎刚从一所体校毕业，正为找工作的事发愁，听了表哥的话不由怦然心动。
　　其实很多中国人对卡塔尔都相当陌生，小赵印象最深的就是在世界杯足球赛上，卡塔尔足球队员高超的球技和队员进球后扭动屁股跳起桑巴舞那高兴劲，其他几乎一无所知。
　　费一番周折办好出国手续后，当年7月赵飞虎来到了卡塔尔首都多哈市。原以为它像阿富汗或苏丹一样，是个贫穷落后的小国，可是刚下飞机不久，小赵就大吃一惊：这里的街道宽阔干净，两边全是新潮的现代建筑，颇有点“中东纽约”的味道。
　　后来他又了解到，卡塔尔是阿拉伯世界最小的国家之一，面积仅1.15万平方公里（还不到河南省的十分之一），人口只有74万，但这片土地下面天然气储量占世界第一，石油可以开采100年，它和沙特一样，是全球最大的能源供应国之一。因此，卡塔尔人的平均收入远远超过日本、美国和西欧，达到每年4万多美元。
　　在卡塔尔，露富是一种风尚，人们穿的长袍要用30美元一米的进口高档布料缝制，手腕上戴的，也都是价格惊人的世界名表。当地人最喜欢金饰，许多男子脖子上戴着手指头粗的闪亮金链，手指戴着金戒指，一戴就是好几个，甚至有人一只手戴6个镶着宝石的金戒指（食指上戴两个）。如此，当地金饰店的生意好得出奇，为了买到与众不同的金饰，有些卡塔尔人还专程跑到埃及、阿尔及利亚甚至荷兰专门订做独一无二的首饰。
　　卡塔尔的官方语言是阿拉伯语，但通用英语。有趣的是走在街上经常有人问赵飞虎：“你是Jackie china(成龙)吗?”后来他才明白，随着动作片在中东的传播，成龙、李连杰这些名字已经成了中国功夫的代名词，在当地人心目中，中国人个个都是功夫高手!
　　
　　给阿拉伯公子当教练
　　
　　为熟悉当地环境，最初赵飞虎在多哈市一家手工艺品商店打工。老板是位土生土长的卡塔尔人，他对这位来自中国的小伙子十分客气。走进店里，仿佛置身于《一千零一夜》的世界，进进出出的都是穿着长袍的中东人，店里的工艺品更是琳琅满目：阿拉丁神灯、骆驼雕塑、阿拉伯“飞毯”等，但卖得最火的还是各种香料。
　　在店里，赵飞虎的主要工作是及时摆放货品以及为进店的顾客冲咖啡。对他来说，这点小活十分轻松。
　　
　　多年来由于小赵养成早起练功的习惯，所以早晨上班前，他总会穿着练功服在公园里打一通少林拳，时而翻滚侧踢快如闪电，时而重拳出击势如猛虎，一招一式充满了搏击的技巧和力量。时间不长，就吸引了不少当地人围观。“哇，中国功夫!”人们不由对这位中国小伙的精彩表演鼓起掌来。有一天，当赵飞虎刚刚练完少林拳，一位卡塔尔中年男子走上前来，他说自己14岁的儿子穆莎十分崇拜中国功夫，不知业余时间小赵能否给他儿子当私人教练。双方谈定，赵飞虎每天为孩子上课两小时，每小时收费50美元。
　　一份极普通的兼职每月能赚3000美金，按说这是一件很令人兴奋的事，但当他见到自己的学生时，赵飞虎的心马上就凉了：原来穆莎不仅从小多病，体质很差，而且特懒，他家里雇有一名印度司机及菲律宾女佣，都十几岁了每天早上还要依赖女佣为自己拿衣服、鞋袜。当然，这在卡塔尔是很常见的事，这个石油富国共74万人，其中有来自非洲或东南亚各国的外国人在这里从事佣人、司机、护士及花匠等职业的就达50万之多！因为本地人的孩子从小到大都有人服侍，自然都有点“公子哥”的坏毛病。
　　根据穆莎的身体状况，除进行基本功训练外赵飞虎决定重点教他太极拳。没想到演练一些架式后，小家伙却连连摇头：“不，不，这些舞蹈似的拳法根本无法与人格斗，这不是Jackie chan(成龙)的中国功夫!”赵飞虎笑了一笑，让女佣取来一根木棍，暗中稍一运气便挥掌砍了下去，穆莎还没明白他要干什么，只听“咔嚓”一声，那根茶杯粗的木棍竟硬生生地断成了两截。小家伙顿时惊得目瞪口呆：“呀，太极拳也这么厉害？简直不可思议!”
　　小赵向他解释说，只要运用意念将全身的力量调动起来，集中于一点并在瞬间爆发，就能产生惊人的能量。太极拳刚柔相济，动静合一，不仅能健体强身，更是一种高深莫测的搏击艺术。听到这里，穆莎心悦诚服，马上就对这种“神奇功夫”产生了深厚兴趣。
　　从此，小家伙每日天刚亮便穿好中国武术服装在自家的草坪上演练基本功和太极拳动作，全神贯注，一丝不苟，直练到浑身上下大汗淋漓。不到半年，一套陈式太极拳就被穆莎打得十分娴熟流畅。此外，他还学会了“鲤鱼打挺”、“凌空劈腿”等高难度动作。过去因为胆小，穆莎连自行车都不敢学，只能眼睁睁地看着小伙伴们骑车飞驶，现在他居然敢骑上父亲的那匹纯种马，在马场里纵横奔驰，身手相当敏捷。
　　卡塔尔人自古崇尚勇武，看到儿子骑士般的英姿，他父亲惊喜异常，逢人就说：“中国功夫真是太神奇了!”就这样，又先后有十几名“阿拉伯公子”投到赵飞虎门下，成了他的“洋弟子”，由此，小赵索性辞去工艺品商店的那份工作，做起了全职武术教练。
　　2003年4月的一天，一位年轻的美国人突然找到赵飞虎，说想和他“切磋一下功夫”。经对方介绍得知，他叫杰克，是驻卡塔尔美军基地的一名中尉军官，练过泰拳、空手道，尤其精通拳击。他的同伴称，从未见谁能胜过杰克!对方身高1.80米左右，出拳凶猛，而且无论进退都相当灵活。小赵和他一交手，就发现这位军官受过严格的搏击训练，是个不好对付的角色。他的十几个卡塔尔弟子，暗中也为师父捏把汗。交手中只见赵飞虎先是躲、闪、腾、挪，尽量不与杰克正面交锋，待找出他的破绽后，小赵一个凌空飞脚就将对手踹出两米多远。踹得杰克费了好大劲才从地上爬起来。比赛结束，围观者响起了雷鸣般的掌声。
　　事后这位美国军官说，自己那点拳击本领与拥有18种传统兵器和几百种套路的中国功夫相比，简直不值一提!
　　
　　开设首家“少林武馆”
　　
　　武林高手战胜杰克的事在当地传开，不少人都知道小赵师傅功夫了不起，于是一下就有上千名年轻人慕名而来，要拜他为师学习中国功夫。但是因为缺乏训练场地，赵飞虎只得很遗憾地拒绝了他们。一位从柏林留学回来的小伙子说：“目前德国有许多华人开的武术培训中心，学员多达40多万人，就连欧洲的一些大专院校，如布鲁塞尔大学已经把中国功夫纳入了教学大纲。你有那么棒的少林功夫，何不在卡塔尔开一家中国武馆?”
　　真是一语惊醒梦中人。赵飞虎敏锐地意识到，崇尚勇武的卡塔尔人对中国功夫十分热爱，只是苦于找不到正宗的武术教练，如果自己开一家“少林武馆”，肯定大有市场，何况自己还是位少林弟子!小赵开武术馆的心意一定，便引来很多热心人帮忙，尤其是那些“洋弟子”的家长们，为他开办中国武馆四方奔走。当年8月，穆莎的父亲沙迪罕先生在多哈市郊租来一块空地，他以投资入股的形式为小赵建起一座800多平米的训练馆。两个月后，赵飞虎又顺利拿到了合法传授中国武术的许可证。
　　
　　2004年元旦这天，在一阵鞭炮声中，卡塔尔终于诞生了首家“少林武馆”。开馆之日，武馆门前人声鼎沸，前来祝贺的学生及当地体育官员、商人等络绎不绝。开业不到两周，就有600多人成了“少林武馆”的固定会员，此后每天还有不少人前来咨询及报名。时间不长，在多哈市民中就掀起了一股中国功夫热。
　　在授课中除了固定的基本功训练外，赵飞虎还在武馆开设了不同拳种的武术课程供会员选择。年轻人喜欢搏击，可练大洪拳、罗汉拳及擒拿格斗；中老年人需要修身养性可练太极拳；孩子们处在生长发育阶段，需要强身健体，可练小洪拳及柔韧的八段锦……。灵活的课程安排，满足了不同年龄层次的人的需求。一时间，从十几岁的孩子到头发花白的老人，都纷纷来到少林武馆，领略中国数千年武术文化的魅力。
　　在赵飞虎的精心指导下，不少学员学到了正宗的少林功夫，取得了骄人成绩。2005年10月，在也门召开的第一届阿拉伯青少年武术锦标赛上，来自赵飞虎武馆的9名选手中就有7人获得奖牌。2006年8月19日，马来西来举办第一届世界青少年武术锦标赛，赵飞虎的弟子夺得两个项目的冠亚军。
　　随着名气的逐步扩大，武馆的收入也直线上升。现在，少林武馆的总面积已扩大到1800多平方米，练功器材越来越先进。有关少林功夫的书籍和光盘，在多哈市场上卖得异常火爆。经过几年的摸爬滚打，赵飞虎的个人资产也达到100多万美金。提到这位在卡塔尔创业的中国拳师，许多媒体都称他是位“了不起的人物”。
　　2007年元旦，回国探亲的赵飞虎接受笔者采访时说，卡塔尔是个水比油贵的沙漠小国，尤其是夏季，酷热难当，他在那里吃了不少苦。但能在异国传播光辉灿烂的中国武术文化，这本身就是一件很有意义的事。下一步，他还准备招聘一批懂英语的武术教练，将少林武馆开到相邻的阿曼、巴林和科威特等国。
　　（本文风光摄影 李春）
　　
　　Young Master Teaches Martial Arts in Qatar
　　By Lin Yunfan
　　
　　Upon graduation from a sports academy in Dengfeng of central China’s Henan Province, Zhao Feihu went to Qatar. He had learned from a cousin, who was back from Qatar for a home visit in early 2002, that there might be good job prospects for him as Qatari people love Chinese martial arts.
　　In Dengfeng where the famous Shaolin Temple is located, martial arts are embodied in daily life for many local residents. Thanks to diligent practices of martial arts under tutelage of experienced masters since his early childhood years, Zhao became a kongfu master in his teenage years. At 17, he confronted a gang of five muggers on a bus armed with cudgels and daggers. With the bare fists, he beat them all in less than 20 minutes.
　　Zhao knew very little about the small country in the Middle East. He once watched on television the Qatari footballers dancing happily and wildly to celebrate their goal during a World Cup match. That was about all he knew about the country. Upon his arrival there in July 2002, Zhao was deeply impressed by the wealth of the country and he found that Jacky Chan, a Hong-Kong-based Chinese kongfu movie star, was probably the most popular Chinese known to the Qatari. He found a job as an assistant at a shop of classy arts and crafts, which looked like something from Arabian Nights. His job was simple: replenish shelves with new commodities and serve coffee for clients. Every morning before the work time, Zhao would dress himself in Chinese kongfu jerseys and practice martial arts in a nearby park. This caught his boss?attention. Later the boss asked if Zhao could teach his teenage son to learn some Chinese martial arts and offered to pay 50 US dollars per hour if Zhao would like to teach the boy two hours a day.
　　Zhao was wild with joy for the offer. It was good money, but he was hugely disappointed at the first sight of the boss?teenage son. In poor health and reluctant to engage in sports activities, the languid teenager looked every inch of a spoiled child from a rich family. He even had a few servants to follow him everywhere. Zhao decided to teach the boy the Chinese shadow boxing alongside some basics of Chinese martial arts. After seeing Zhao demonstrate some moves of the shadow boxing, the teenager refused to learn it. He claimed that the measured movements looked too much dancing-like and would be no good in fighting a rival and that it did not look like Jacky Chan’s Chinese kongfu. Zhao asked the boy’s nanny to get a thick wood stick and hacked the stick into two pieces with his palm at one stroke. The boy was astounded and impressed. Then Zhao explained, ‘She shadow boxing is an art of combating brutal force with soft finesse and integrating action with inaction. It is an effective way of improving health and it can be a powerful art of fighting.?The boy was convinced. Then he began to practice early in the morning every day under the guidance of Zhao. In less than half a year, the teenager had mastered the Chen’s shadow boxing as well as some very difficult basic movements. He became robust and brave. Before learning the Chinese martial arts, the timid boy did not dare even to ride a bicycle. Now he rode his father’s blood horse galloping on his father’s paddock. The father was overjoyed for the miraculous change in his son and boasted most gladly everywhere. Pretty soon, more than 10 rich families sent their sons to Zhao to learn the Shaolin kongfu.
　　Zhao resigned from the shop and became a full-time coach. As his reputation spread, he met challenges. One day in April, 2003, an American lieutenant named Jack working at a nearby military base came to Zhao. He wanted to have a fighting game with Zhao to decide who was a better master of martial arts. The lieutenant was about 6 feet tall and apparentlya good fighter. He had learned Thai boxing and karate, and he had never been defeated in any fights before. Zhao rose to challenge. The fighting match began while Zhao’s Qatari disciples watched closely. Zhao held back to size up the rival at the beginning. He needed to decide what the American could really do. After a few bouts of defense, Zhao attacked. Seizing an opportunity, he lashed out and brought Jack down with a powerful kick.The game was instantly over. The small audience burst into loud applause.
　　Zhao’s sensational triumph made him a big hero in Doha and nearly a thousand young men rushed to him, wishing to learn Chinese martial arts under his guidance. As Zhao did not have adequate training ground for so many enthusiasts, he had to say no. A Qatari who had studied at a college in Berlin advised Zhao to set up a training center. This idea inspired Zhao and he began to think big. He talked with the parents of his young students and they were very enthusiastic and helpful. In August, 2003, Zhao had a martial arts center set up in a suburb of Doha with some investment from his first pupil’s father. Two months later, Zhao acquired a business license. On the New Year’s Day of 2004, the Shaolin Martial Arts Center in Doha formally opened its door amidst the roaring bangs of celebrating firecrackers. Aficionados of martial arts, sports officials and business people flocked to the opening celebration. Within two weeks, more than six hundred people signed up as regular members at the center. In addition to the basics of martial arts, Zhao offered different courses for people of different ages and thus attracted more people to learn Chinese martial arts.
　　Under Zhao’s tutelage, many Qatari youngsters have mastered the Shaolin Temple martial arts. In October, 2005, Qatar sent a delegation of young Kongfu artists to participate in the First Arabian Martial Arts Championships in Yemen. Nine youngsters from Zhao’s training center took part in different events and seven of them won medals. In August, 2006, Zhao’s disciples from the training center won two gold medals and two silver medals at the First World Youth Martial Arts Championship in Malaysia.
　　Zhao’s great popularity has contributed greatly to the profitability of his Shaolin kongfu center, which now has expanded to more than 1,800 square meters. He has also bought more and better apparatuses for training sessions. Nowadays in Doha, books and computer disks about Chinese martial arts sell like hot cakes. The local media say the Chinese boxer teaching martial arts in Qatar is a great master.
　　During a home visit in the New Year’s Day in 2007, the 27-year-old Zhao Feihu said to the author of this story that he plans to recruit a number of coaches who can speak English and set up branches of his Shaolin Martial Arts Center in countries adjacent to Qatar.
　　(Translated by David)