Fight School (1)

Contents

Host

Narrator: Lee Boardman

Co-Hosts

Grand Master: Simon Lau
Shifus (Teachers): Clive Elliott, Nathan Lewis and Becky Riggs

Broadcast

Granada for Sky One, 10 October to 28 November 2002 (8 episodes in 1 series)

Synopsis

Five male and five female prize-winning martial art professionals (each representing a different martial art) competed in a martial-arts based contest at a Shaolin temple in Beijing.

In each episode the Grand Master sets a number of tasks. At the end of the episode he chooses the strongest and weakest contestant. The strongest contestant then has the choice as to who will face off against the weakest contestant in the Elimination play-off at the end of the episode, this could be any contestant, including themselves.

The elimination took the place of a Sparring duel over 3 rounds, with a Shifu prepping them up between each round. However, because it was freestyle sparring and the contestants had different martial art styles, there is no guaranteed way to decide who has won and is always decided by the Grand Master - sometimes leading to questionable outcomes.

Another disappointment of the show was how it really wasn't that hard. Sure, punching ice in a barrel is hard, but does it really have anything to do with martial arts? The living quarters were far too cosy in our opinion and the whole process should have been toughened up to how it actually is at a Shaolin temple - exhausting labour with poor food.

To sum up, a good idea which just wasn't implemented well and didn't push the participants hard enough.

Key Moments

When women beat the men in the final round, leading to humiliation.

Winner

Paul Bernard (kickboxer)

Trivia

One of the students was Don Klass, brother of Myleene Klass from Hear'say - he also appeared on Popstars playing the piano for his sister.

The Grand Master once trained alongside Bruce Lee.

Pictures

Simon Lao, the Grandmaster

Video

A randomly-edited compilation of the series

See Also

Masters of Combat

Feedback

To correct something on this page or post an addition, please complete this form and press "Send":
If you are asking us a question, please read our contact us page and FAQ first.

Name: E-mail:   
A Labyrinth Games site.
Design by Thomas.
Printable version
Editors: Log in