Fu Guogang practices snake boxing. PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

Xu Chunlian, along with dozens of Fu's disciples, has practiced the martial art with the master since 2015 and stays on the course after feeling the health benefits from it.

"I was a traditional tailor. Business was thriving and I was working day and night. Due to the nature of my work, I suffered neck, waist and arm pain. Sometimes it was so exhausting that I could barely lift a teacup," recalls Xu Chunlian who is in her 50s.

As she neared retirement, she met Fu by chance and tried snake boxing to relieve her pain.

"I was surprised that he maintained a very fit physique at his age. He looked energetic and vibrant, so I figured snake boxing might have a positive impact on fitness and health," she says.

Under Fu's guidance, Xu Chunlian received training and soon found her pain and discomfort gradually disappeared.

It has prompted her to make further inroads and hone her skills. Over the years, she has joined several traditional martial arts competitions in Zhejiang, where she won multiple gold medals in the snake boxing category.

Meanwhile, Fu Guogang has ensured the martial art will continue running in the family and has instilled its essence in his daughter Fu Xinyue since she was a child.