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A career kick-start for a young trainee at the Longbiao Business
Etiquette Corporation, a company based in Changchun of Jilin Province that
teaches kungfu and trains bodyguards. Photos by Fang
Xinwu |
Most people think of burly, muscle-bound men
in dark suits and sunglasses when bodyguards are mentioned. But Xiao Zhao, who
did not wish to give her full name, plans to change all that. The 23-year-old
wants to put her kungfu skills to good use and break into the male-dominated
security industry as a bodyguard for celebrities, VIPs and wealthy
businesspeople who need protection.
Xiao Zhao began learning kungfu at 16 after a friend enrolled at the Jilin
Institute of Physical Education in Northeast China's Jilin Province to learn
martial arts.
"I was intrigued by his story and decided to choose kungfu as a career, since
I've been very interested in it since I was a child," said Xiao Zhao.
She worked hard and was eventually accepted by the Jilin Institute's
Department of Martial Arts in 2001.
In 2003, she won its kungfu championship.
She worked as a kungfu coach for a year after she graduated until she saw an
advertisement for bodyguards.
"I applied for the job without hesitation," said Xiao Zhao. "It is a good
opportunity for me to use my skills."
Xiao Zhao is now studying at the Longbiao Business Etiquette Corporation, a
company based in Changchun of Jilin that teaches kungfu and trains bodyguards.
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Female bodyguard trainees receive the same training as men in
Longbiao. |
The name of the firm may sound irrelevant, but that's because the profession
is not included in the trade catalogue of the State Administration for Industry
and Commerce, said general manager Xing Tianzhu, a veteran bodyguard.
With no regulations for bodyguards, they are usually employed as "security
consultants" or "private chauffers", he said.
Xing's kungfu skills helped him become a soldier in the special forces before
he took a job as a bodyguard for a VIP in 1989. He worked as a bodyguard for
eight years and set up the kungfu training center in 1997.
The company began as the Tianyu Wushu Service, offering training for those
interested in martial arts, or wushu in Chinese.
"At that time, people were very enthusiastic about martial arts," said Xing.
The company later expanded the business to include training programs for
bodyguards and an agency service to supply bodyguards.
But he was not expecting any women to apply.
"When we advertised for bodyguards, we expected only men," said Xing.
Impressed by Xiao Zhao's martial arts prowess and her personality, Xing
decided to give her a go.
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Getting dolled-up after a session on the heavy
bag. |
Meanwhile, another female bodyguard was making
a name for herself.
Xiao Sun, who also declined to give her full name, won the national Kungfu
Sanshou Competition and was employed as a coach at Longbiao. When a client
requested a female bodyguard for his wife and child, Xiao Sun was chosen for the
job.
Her story later appeared in a local newspaper, sparking a flood of requests
to Longbiao for female bodyguards.
"Female bodyguards are usually required to protect family members, in cases
where male bodyguards are unsuitable and too conspicuous," said Xing.
Female bodyguards enjoy a good income because of the potential dangers
involved in the job.
China Central Television reported that female bodyguards could earn as much
as 200,000 to 300,000 yuan ($26,000 to $39,000) a year, three to five times as
much as the average yearly income of white-collar workers.
The high income, however, is not the main reason Xiao Zhao was drawn to the
profession.
"Challenging myself and leading a colorful life is my motto," said Xiao Zhao,
laughing.
At Longbiao, she receives the same training as her male counterparts but
she's not complaining.
"Our courses cover many aspects of the profession, including bodybuilding,
kungfu training, business etiquette, laws and regulations, and first aid
knowledge," said she.
"Excellent kungfu, a good personality, strong loyalty to the client, bravery
and quick response to unexpected situations are extremely important attributes
of qualified bodyguards," said Xing.
He administers unexpected tests to Xiao Zhao and the other trainees, covering
all of these aspects. Those who fail are dissuaded from taking on a career as a
bodyguard.
"For example, I once pretended to offer a job opportunity to the candidates,
and explained there were dangers involved," said Xing. "Those who said no were
out."
Xiao Zhao has survived the testing process and Xing is confident she will
make a good bodyguard.
"As far as her ability is concerned, she could defeat three or four strong
men," said Xing.
But it's not all martial arts and bravery. Outside of her professional life,
Xiao Zhao is as feminine as her peers.
"I usually wear make-up when I don't have to attend training courses," she
laughed.
