Origins in the Wudang Mountains
Fei Jing is an ancient martial art, created, refined and handed down within a narrow family circle. It is an internal style of kung fu, created by Taoist monks in the Wudang Mountains of central China about 2,000 years ago. Taoist philosophy is its foundation, and the soaring eagle is its symbol.
The Wudang Mountains are among the best-known sacred places of Taoism. The styles associated with them are known for softness, circular movements and work with inner energy - unlike the "external" styles, which rely mainly on muscular strength and speed.
The flight south and the family schools
When the Mongols invaded and the Yuan dynasty was established (1280-1368), many Chinese families from the northern and central provinces emigrated and settled in the southernmost province of the empire, Yue Nan. Among them were many kung fu masters, who began to pass on their tradition strictly within the family, from father to son. In this way they kept their ethnic identity even after the southern provinces broke away and a new state was formed - Vietnam.
Only in recent decades have some of these families shown part of their secrets outside the family circle. This is also the case with Fei Jing: until 1981 it was practised only within the Han family.
Li Han Chi and the road to Europe
Li Han Chi, the youngest member of the family, fought in the war against the USA as a commando in Vietnam's special forces. As a reward he was sent to study in Kyiv. During his six years in Ukraine, Li Han Chi trained three students - one of them was German Simeonovich Vinokurov.
Master Vinokurov was a veteran of the war in Afghanistan. Besides a master's grade in kung fu, he held a 3rd dan in karate and a 1st dan in judo, became champion of the Soviet Marine Corps and received a number of international certificates and awards. In this way Fei Jing proved its practicality not only in ancient times, but also in real combat in Vietnam and Afghanistan.
Fei Jing in Bulgaria
- Master Vinokurov arrives in Bulgaria
The International Kung Fu Centre "Fei Jing" is registered. It quickly becomes the largest martial arts school in the country at the time, with more than 300 students.
- Years of success
The centre's competitors win many titles, medals and diplomas - not only at kung fu tournaments, but also in karate, taekwondo and kickboxing. Demonstrations with and without weapons do much to make the style popular.
- The tragic death of master Vinokurov
The loss of its founder ends the work of the International Kung Fu Centre.
- COBRA Sports Club is founded
The Fei Jing instructors register the club to revive the glory of the International Kung Fu Centre and continue the tradition. More about the club →
- The club closes
After a last attempt to restart its activities in the summer of 2009, COBRA Sports Club is closed. This site is kept as an archive of the style and of the club's history.
Over the years the Bulgarian press wrote that well-known Fei Jing schools existed in only a handful of places in the world, Bulgaria among them. See the press articles.