The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-03-13
ATHLETES IN THE ORIENT.
THE rRA1Nrn7 WHICH A cHINHsH
oYMNAsr uND ER0 oEs.


they Develop their Muscles
A New York Chinaman says in the
Clipper, that the almond eyed Mongo.
liam enjoys athletics as much as his more
or less civilized brother in the Occident,
only he enjoys it afar off. All Chinese
athletes are paid, and well paid. They
constitute class among themselves, have
trades-union with iron-clad bylaws,
and, like European prima-donna, effect
to own the universe.
They may be classified into wresters.
archers, acrobats, cannon-ball per-
formers and runners. Boxers, jumpers,
fencers, oarsmen, bicycLsts and six-day
pedestrians are unknown.
Athletic training is the same for all
classes, but differs widely from that
which obtains with us. Drinking is
prohibited-i. e., of all alcoholic fluids.
The use of tobacco is either not allowed
or is restricted to five cigarettes or two
pipes day. Opium may be INDUCED in at
the rate of a quarter ounce day. In diet
the chief staple is rice. OF this the hun
CRY aspirant for fame may use as much as
he pleases. Some eat five pounds of rice
in twenty-four hours. Meats are used as
ilavors, and not as food. Light vegeta-
bles are sparingly employed Fruits are
also used. The bill -of-fare of an athlete
in training is as follows: Breakfast
quart tea, lib. rice, sardines, orange;
dinner-3 pints tea, Bib. rice, llb. chick
en-, GLIB. duck, 3lb. macaroni lunch-1
pint tea, lib. rice, lib. perfumed pork,
ilb. vegetables; SUPPER quart tea,
1alb. rice, 1lb. beef, 4lb. pork, lib veg
etables, 1lb sweetmeats. No milk, but
ter sugar, veal, lamb, mutton, fat pork.
cabbage, goose, ham or bacon is allowed.
In drinks, water is considered bad. Tea,
lemonade, orangeade cocoa, coffee and
cider make up the list of permissible
drinks.
In training, the athlete takes natural
methods, and never resorts to medicine.
Cathartics and aperients are absolutely
tabooed. In case of debility tonic
corresponding to calisaya or cocoa is
prescribed.
This diet and treatment may seem
light; yet upon it a thousand profession
ais in Japan and China display nerve
and muscle that will equal that exhibited
here by our best men.
Training is more regular, or rather
systematic, in China than in America.
The professional there does not train for
three months, pass through his contest
and then spree for the remainder of the
season. He aims to be in condition all
the time, but he utilizes the law of iner.
tia whereby man once in good form re.
mains so for long time. with but little
trouble and with less effort. He rises at
about z A. NJ, sponges off, rubs down,
dresses and eats breakfast. A half hour
for digestion passes, and then follows
exercises for three hours. Most of these
resemble our own. Swimming, running,
jumping, football, handball, clubs,
swings and trapeze are the same with
both races. Odd exercises are First, but
ting against hard mattress or pine
board. This is supposed to harden the
scalp and strengthen the neck mus
cles. Second, breathing through
number of towels or cloths tied over the
mouth and nose. This probably in.
creases the strength of the respira.
tory muscles. A man who can breathe
through dozen cloths is regarded ex-
actly as one who can blow 420 on a 450
lung-tester. Third, leg-lifting. The
athlete, standing upright, attaches
weight to the ankle by q cord, and then
raises the foot until it touches the back
part of the thigh. This is repeated
fifty or 100 times, and in cases OF
what we call 'heavies" the weight is
gradually increased. The result is a re.
markable increase in the size and strength
of the thigh and waist muscles. Wong
Ha-Hee, an acrobat of Pekin, lying on
his back with his legs raised over his
head, lifts with each foot q full-grown
man and throws the pair seven feet in
the air. Another common trick
is to tic the ankles together
with stout cord or rope, and
then, by suddenly rising one
leg, to snap the lgament asunder. A
similar exercise is weighting the feet
with sandbags and then running, walk
ing or jumping. This is done to develop
the calves. Fifth, abdominal training.
This is chiefly effected by placing
weights upon the stomach OF the aero
bat as he lies fat, and having him throw
it of by spasmodic effort Of the stom-
ach'walls. After years exercise the
abdominal muscles become wonderfully
developed, so that the athlete can safely
sustain weights of thousand pounds or
more upon his waist.
Athletes in China are well paid, nc.
ccrding to the Chinese scale. Socially,
they have little or no position, and are
classed with tailors and coolies which
in New York would be with street.
sweepers.