Every day, regardless of the weather, members of the Club Super Shaolin of Benin practice Chinese martial arts in the courtyard of the Youth Center of the Commune of Akpro-Missérété located in Ouémé. The training content is varied and includes foundational exercises, combat movement sequences, Taiji Quan, and the lion and dragon dance. Damien Agossou Degbo, their young master, practices his art with ease. He is also known by his Chinese name Shi Yanmian.

Degbo is a member of the Shaolin Temple’s first generation of African warrior monks. He did not discover Chinese martial arts by chance; he had always dreamed of becoming a martial arts master.

In just three months, he learned Shaolin Kung Fu and the moral values it promotes through rigorous training. “At 5 a.m., we start the exercises. At 7 a.m., we come back to have breakfast. Then we go back to resume exercises. We come back home at 10 p.m. and do meditation. We go to bed after midnight,” Degbo recalled in an award-winning video of the 2021 China-Africa Video and Photo Competition.

Degbo did not waste time after returning from the Shaolin Temple, but continued to practice this art in Benin by establishing this training center. It is a means for him to carry the wushu flame in his country. Many of his students want to be “brave lions,” well-groomed people, or become Kung Fu movie stars, as is the case with his son, Shade Alade Degbo.

“I enjoy Kung Fu because it is what I was born with. I began practicing when I was just two years old. I admire Jackie Chan and Jet Li’s techniques. For the time being, the best way to popularize the art is to produce fantastic martial arts films,” said the son.

Geraud Hounssou Akpiti, another student, shared his wishes: “Since I was a child, I have told myself that I will join the Beninese army, but before that, I must practice Kung Fu to gain experience. I want to be a Kung Fu star and build a temple in Africa.”

Degbo and his students have been able to showcase their abilities on numerous occasions throughout the years, including the Wémè Festival and the tour by Beninese President Patrice Talon of the Akpro-Missérété Commune. His efforts have been appreciated by the authorities.

Félicien Mahoutondji Hounkanrin, Head of the Department of Youth, Sports, and Recreation of Ouémé, praised Degbo in a speech during the assignment of ranks to students of the Super Shaolin Club of Benin at the end of 2021.

“I want to express my gratitude to the master for the time and effort he has put into teaching young people martial arts. This new individual sport in our nation is deserving of attention,” he said. “Our organization must assist and encourage Degbo to make advancement. We must also urge sponsors and youngsters to enroll in large numbers in all sports activities to realize their potential.”