A RIVER RUNS FREELY
By Peter Vuono
DEDICATED TO ALL THOSE WHO THIRST FOR FREEDOM
The Chinese people have a very special and unique way of naming their children. For example, Jackie Chan's real name is Chan Kong Sang( or From Hong Kong) commemorating his place of birth. Bruce Lee's real name is Lee Jun-Fan which means "return again". He was born in SanFrancisco and it was his mom's desire that he would one day return which he did. On July 3, 1946, a child was born to a couple in the Communist occupied province of Canton China. It was their hope and dream that the baby would some day run freely like the mighty Yangtze River which is Asia's largest. Therefore, they gave the baby boy the name of Yang Sze which had been the French derivative since 1800.
Young Yang Sze grew up learning the martial art of Tai Chi. He also had a penchant for bodybuilding which few martial artists of the day enjoyed. However this did not satiate his innate desire for the God given right to freedom. One day, while still in his youth, he risked life and limb and dove into the South China Sea.
He swam the 3 miles from the mainland to Hong Kong risking both drowning and being shot on sight by a notorious Communist coastguard. He made it safely to the British owned territory and immediately went to work teaching the little known skill of bodybuilding.
Yang Sze won the "Mr. Hong Kong" tournament and as a result was hired by the famed Shaw Brothers to make movies in 1970. Approximately 20 movies later he made a Winston Cigarette commercial with Bruce Lee and the two became friends.
Lee hired him for a supporting role in Enter the Dragon in 1973. His character would be given the name"Bolo" in the movie and he attained so much popularity among Chinese movie goers with the role that he adopted it with the surname Yeung. Hence, one of the most impressive figures in Chinese cinema- Bolo Yeung- was born.
He would go on to make no fewer than 109 movies with additional stunt work and directing. Many of his roles were terrifying and memorable. He would spar with Brandon Lee in Brandon's ONLY Hong Kong made film-" Legacy of Rage". He would stalk the queen of American martial arts- Cynthia Rothrock, in "Tiger Claws". However, the movie that made him famous would be the same one that made JeanClaude Van Damme a mega-star. Here he played Van Damme's nemesis "Chong Li" in the Golan-Globus production of"Bloodsport".
Years later. Yeung was a surprise guest at VanDamme's 50th birthday party which can be seen on YouTube. Thanks to "Bloodsport" Yeung was able to migrate to America and as a result, a second dream came true. His three children - Daniel, Denny and Debbra were ALL born free in the USA.
Bolo Yeung's physique and career are both inspiring and impressive. However it is his bravery to risk everything in order to quench his burning desire for freedom that most impresses this author. It is hoped that all those who are currently oppressed or kept in bondage either mentally or physically will one day follow Yeung's path so that they may too, like the mighty Yangtze River, run freely.
