[Video/Guanhai News]

Haim Yavin, a 65-year-old man from Israel, has been practicing Yuanyang Tanglang Quan, or Mandarin Duck Mantis Boxing, at Yan'erdao Hill Park in Qingdao's Shinan district for nine years.

Under the instruction of Sun Congzhai, an 87-year-old master of the boxing, Yavin has gained a deep understanding of the traditional Chinese martial art.

Over the past nine years, Yavin arrives at the park as early as 5:30 am every day, and he practices whether Sun is there or not.

"I'm very proud of doing it," Yavin said, adding that practicing the martial art has not only brought him good friends, but also helped him remain healthy.

Yavin plans to return home to Israel, and noted that the memories he has made in Qingdao will never fade away. 

"It was a great experience to live in a different culture," Yavin said, stressing that he now considered himself to be "half Qingdao local".

He plans to eventually open a school in Israel to teach people the Mandarin Duck Mantis Boxing.