Praying Mantis

     Wang Lang created Praying Mantis Boxing at the end of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Wang Lang like many other boxers was attempting to challenge and defeat a Shao-Lin monk. Shao-Lin Boxing was the premier boxing method in China and arguably the world at this time. After some unsuccessful attempts to defeat Shao-Lin monks, Wang Lang realized he needed another method. He based his new method on the movements of the praying mantis. With his new techniques Wang Lang was able to prevail over a Shao-Lin monk. Later, Monkey style foot work was adopted to compliment the Praying Mantis hand techniques.
Speed is very important to the praying mantis and so it is with the Praying Mantis boxer. This style uses emphasizes combination, particularly techniques that quickly move from one to the next. A principle is to use three or more techniques in a quick combination to find or make an opening in the opponent’s defense. These flowing combinations give Praying Mantis forms a fluid appearance.