Eight top disciples of Dong Haiquan: Ma Gui (1852–1942) & Ma Wei Qi (1951-1886)


Beijing: Ma Gui and some others famous BGZ masters  in 1930 - DHC Third stele

 Ma Gui (Ma Kuei, 1852 -1942) was from Hebei, but grew up in Beijing. He was also known as Ma Shr Ching (Shiqing) and earned the nicknamed "Short Ma" and "Wooden Ma" because of his physique and where he worked. He was also known for his strength. He was able to lift heavy rock by one hand and could execute very strong elbow strike. Thus, he also earned another nickname "Iron elbow". Other favourite techniques for Ma Gui is the wrist. In one story, he used his cutting wrist in the Langong Palace to break the arm of a martial arts teacher and he became the head of the palace's martial arts instructors. Ma Gui was also skilled at Crab Palm, Dian Xue (Pressure-Point Fighting) and practiced the Unicorn style of Bagua. He became famous in the capitol and people called him "Little Kunlun Ma Gui". His Fali or explosion of power was  famous  because very heavy and very fast.  He was said to have developed an  internal strength with body alchemy technics.

He originally worked as a servant before meeting Yin Fu when he was 18 years old. Through Yin Fu, he was introduced to Dong Haichuan. Dong also taught Ma the back the fist system. This falls outside the main structure of Bagua Zhang. When he was 23 (1880), he started a business as a lumber merchant. He set up a studio where Bagua practitioners could exchange skills. At that time Cheng Tinghua's and Liu Fengchun's men were in the capitol and would come to the Lumber shop to practice. Ma Gui was able to train with and learned with them.

After the Revolution of 1911, he worked as teacher in new military school. Since 1928 - consultant of Hebei guoshu institute. Ma Gui loved to fight and challenge and defeated many famous masters. He didn't like to teach and thus he had only a few students.

    Students
    Cao Zhong Sheng (wrote a book with a chapter on Ma's life in 1932), Fu Zhen Song, Wang           Peisheng, Xie Peiqi 

For more see also Dong Haichuan's Third  Stele by Ma Gui

Ma Wei Qi (1851 - 1886)  (some people write Ma Wei Chi) owned a shop in Beijing selling coal and briquettes and he was therefore nicknamed "Mei Ma" or Coal Ma". As a young man he liked to fight. When Dong Haiquan became famous, Ma visited him in order to compare skills. Ma was easily defeated by Dong. Ma then threw himself down in front of Dong's school and begged to be taught. Among the students of the Bagua Zhang school, Ma was known as a person of outstanding talent. However, he had a fiery temper, was arrogant and liked to challenge people to test his skills. He had no respect for others except for his teacher and thus he was no liked within the martial arts circle.

Ma was an expert in Baguazhang, Baguadao, and Bagua Turning Spear. He was famous for his spear technique. Many stories exist describe the adventures of Ma. In one story, the coal-heap-walking caught the attention of an itinerant acrobatic entertainer called Hu San who wondered if Ma was in his right mind. When Ma told him he was practicing kung fu, Hu San laughed with scorn and decided to teach Ma the real meaning of kung fu. They decided to have a trial of strength. Hu tried to come to grips with Ma but couldn't even touch him. Ma simply walked in circles around his opponent, and Hu began to feel dizzy and gradually lost control. Before Hu knew what was happening, Ma had caught hold of Hu's hands and threw him to the ground some three meters away. Hu San got up, acknowledged defeat and expressed his admiration for Baguazhang. [2] According to another story, the Su Wang Palace advertised for martial arts teachers. Ma applied and was ordered him to demonstrate his martial skills. Ma picked up a Big Spear and moved into the prince's practice hall to begin. In the hall were many antiques and precious wall hangings. Ma took his spear in hand and performed flawlessly and did not break anything. Su Wang wanted to give him the appointment but he felt that if this man were to get angry and violent, he couldn't be controlled. He awarded Ma 1000 double silvers, and ordered him to return home. In another story, a famous caravan escort named Zhao Keli from the North East played tribute to Ma. During the meeting, Ma only heaped insults on Zhao. This angered Zhao and he challenged Ma. Ma used a heavy hand to wound Zhao but did not kill him. Those stories illustrates some of the character of the man.

Ma died when he was only 29 years old. One story suggest that he died from complications due to injuries inquired while he was training a jumping technique and hurt his back. In other story, Ma died because of injuries suffered after a competition. He went to Dong for healing, but the poison from the wounds had entered his bones. He couldn't be cured with accupuncture or herbs. Xie Peiqi consider Ma to be one of Dong's best students.

    Students
    He had only ten students among them are Liu Zipei, Yan Ju-Lin.


1. Yin Fu
2. Cheng Ting Hua
3. Zhang Chan Kuei
4. Ma Gui
5. Ma Wei Qi
6. Liu Feng Chun
7. Liu De Kuan
8. Song Chang Rong



Do not miss our Baguazhang  material
The secret healing and fighting daoist exercises of Great Master Lu Zijian, 115 years old.
more


Copyright © Chinamartialarts Ltd. All right reserved. Contact us at cmabeijing@163.com