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John Wick star, Donnie Yen, a legendary martial artist, and actor, has captivated audiences worldwide with his mesmerizing s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s and charismatic presence. Born in China and raised in Boston, Yen’s journey to stardom began with his rigorous training in various martial arts disciplines, including Wushu and Tai Chi.

Donnie Yen as Ip Man

Renowned for his lightning-fast movements and flawless technique, Yen has seamlessly transitioned from martial arts competitions to the silver screen, delivering powerful performances in iconic films like the Ip Man series and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. He recently appeared alongside Keanu Reeves in the fourth installment of John Wick.

How Did Donnie Yen Become A Legendary Martial Artist

Donnie Yen’s formative years were a dynamic blend of experiences. Immersed in martial arts, he balanced his days between honing his s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s at his mother’s martial arts school, engaging in intense sessions at the boxing gym, and sculpting his physique through dedicated weightlifting at the Chinatown Boys Club.

Donnie Yen at the 95th Annual Academy Awards

“I was training to be in action movies before I even knew it was a possibility,” Yen told Men’s Journal. “I would be out on the street wearing boots and my winter coat, kicking signs and lamp posts. I would do a jump kick, then drop down to a full split on ice just to test how well my body was able to control the motion. It wasn’t just about all the kind of movements I could do; it was also about what kind of conditions I could do them under.”

Fuelled by ambition, Yen’s longing to become a prominent figure in action cinema has transformed into reality. Starting his journey in Hong Kong, his status swiftly ascended to a highly sought-after leading actor. However, what propelled him into the international spotlight was when he played the revered Wing Chun grandmaster, Ip Man, renowned as the mentor of Bruce Lee. 

John Wick Star’s Disciplined Approach Helped Him A Lot

Donnie Yen exhibited determination in his quest for self-improvement, constantly pushing the boundaries of his abilities. He used to aim for 10,000 side kicks on the hanging bag. Tirelessly devoting hours to perfecting his technique, he recorded each accomplishment in his notebook. As he approached the milestone, his side kicks grew exponentially powerful, to the extent that he effortlessly dislodged heavy bags from walls on multiple occasions.

Donnie Yen has carved a name for himself in the Industry

“So I would be spending just hours doing side kicks, and at the end of the day, I would write down however many hundred kicks it was. By the time I reached 10,000 kicks, those side kicks were so strong. There were multiple times when I ripped heavy bags off the wall—maybe about 10 times.”

Donnie Yen channeled his passion for learning into every role he undertook. Approaching each character with dedication, he immersed himself in studying their respective martial arts styles. Delving deep into research, Yen meticulously explored the intricacies of each discipline. 

John Wick 4 will soon be available for streaming on Starz.

Source: Men’s Journal