The hit Oscar-winning film Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon has sent crowds flocking to the cinema in a way not seen since Bruce Lee’s heyday.

It may be coincidence, but the Midlands’ first dedicated martial arts video and DVD store has just opened in Leicester.

So in what may have been a misguided attempt to find out why more people than ever are going kung fu crazy, Leicester Mercury reporter Adam Wakelin decided to take on the world freestyle martial arts champion, Yusuf Saleh.

Nicknamed ‘The Bird’, Yusuf was trained in martial arts by his older brother as a way to beat the bullies who used to pick on him as a teenager.

Adam met up with Yusuf at the Cobra Kai International Martial Arts Academy, and admits he fancied his chances.

Adam said: “Yusuf, it turned out was a mild-mannered, married father-of-three from Spinney Hills who worked as a civil servant during the day.

“He was a stone lighter, a couple of inches shorter, and two years older than me. There could only be one winner. Erm, him.

“I wasn’t even a one hit wonder. The man they call The Bird because of his spectacular flying kicks gave me a stuffing I’ll never forget.

“He hit me so many times I thought I was surrounded.”

Yusuf said: “Martial Arts is very popular again. It is a very good thing to get into because it gives you a pride in yourself and self-confidence.

“Martial arts isn’t about beating people up. It’s about discipline and self control.”

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