Fu Guogang practices snake boxing. PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

Snake boxing has also evolved into a fitness program and has been performed for various public events, such as the 200-day countdown ceremony for the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou last year.

Fu grew up in Fucun, the birthplace of Jindong snake boxing that originated in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

His ancestor Fu Yiqian was the founder of Fucun's local snake boxing.

"He developed a love for martial arts from a young age, excelling in both skills and intellectual reflection on improving them," says Fu Guogang, explaining the history of snake boxing development that has been passed down for generations.

"After observing and studying the characteristics of how snakes coil, strike and use their tongues, he combined his knowledge of martial arts with these observations and continually practiced, eventually creating snake boxing in the area," he adds.

Since childhood, Fu Guogang has followed his father Fu Binfu in practicing the martial art and became a fifth-generation inheritor.