The Origin of Master Hopkick: Beginnings

By Jenni Siu and Nathan Wright

Years ago at whistlekick, we developed a mascot who was later named Master Hopkick. Our mascot has since graced coloring books and t-shirts, and has provided inspiration to martial artists and non-martial artists alike. For the first time, we publish the origins of this powerful character and all the less

• Language: English
• Publisher: Whistlekick, LLC
• Release date: Jun 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9781088182918

Jenni Siu

Jenni Siu is passionate about teaching kids. She has traveled the world and has had adventures on multiple continents. Jenni is currently living the greatest adventure of all - being married to her best friend and raising the three best kids in the world with him. She loves God, her family, martial arts, reading, writing, music, and growing food.

Book preview

1

Tulagi Island, Solomon Islands

The early morning sun shone brightly, warming the young boy who sat pencil in hand, staring at the notebook before him. Tapping his forehead subconsciously as he worked out sums in his head, John scribbled down his answers, then sighed and stretched. Looking out the window, he could see the gentle roll of the waves as the tide came in. Later in the day, the vast coral reefs would be visible even from this distance, but for now, all John could see was the light blue water.

It’d be great to go for a swim instead of doing these sums.

John shook his head and tapped it again with his pencil. Best to get his math over with early, and perhaps earn the right to go for that swim later in the day. As he worked his way down the page of handwritten homework, John heard the sounds of his brothers in the next room. Joe was bringing in a bucket of water; he could hear his mother’s caution not to spill on her clean floor, which brought a grin to his face. George was setting the table, as he did every morning. John could smell the fry bread his mother was making, and his stomach rumbled at the thought of Saturday morning breakfast. His mother made the best fry bread of any he’d ever had.

John, breakfast!

He carefully closed his notebook, placed his pencil in the small cup on his desk, and hurried to wash his face and hands.

As the family sat down to eat, John’s mother spoke.

I need groceries this morning. Will one of you boys come with me to Chinatown, and carry the parcels for me?

John took a drink of tea and looked at his brothers. None of them would refuse helping their mother, but he could see that Joe looked disappointed. Saturdays the boys played pickup football games, and Joe was the best in the village.

I’ll go with you, Mama. There’s always something interesting to see in Chinatown.

John’s words brought a smile to his mother’s face, and he returned it.

Finish your homework, and we’ll go. I’ll just take a look at the cupboard and see what we need. John nodded, took his plate to the basin and rinsed it, then returned to his room to finish up his math homework.

***

In the center of the busy streets of Chinatown, there was an open area, where often Chinese dances and celebrations were observed. To John, these were always mysterious and exciting. He didn’t understand them, but he was fascinated, and always looked forward to seeing something new. Today was no exception, but this time, instead of a group of dancers or tables with colored decorations on them, there were two very different looking men, standing a few feet apart from one another. 

One was a tall, muscular white man with a short haircut. He was tense and looked ready to move at a moment’s notice. His face showed confidence and determination. The second was a much shorter and thinner Chinese man, yet the look in his eyes was every bit as focused and determined. 

A crowd had gathered, and as John stopped to watch, the men slowly began to step in circles, always facing each other, always tense. 

Mama, what are they doing? 

John’s mother stood beside him and pointed. That man is a boxing champion. I heard he is very famous. He is an American, his name is Robert Trias. 

John could see why the tall, strong man was a champion. 

And who is the other? 

That is Tung Gee Hsing. He came from China, and they say he has been teaching Mr. Trias other ways of boxing. The two men are friends.

John’s brow furrowed. 

If they are friends, then why do they look like they are about to fight?

Even as he spoke, the men began an exchange of rapid movements like nothing John had ever seen before. Hands, feet, quickly moving both to block and strike, captivated his attention. 

I think, perhaps, they are not fighting as much as they are training together. I don’t know how to explain it really, only that I have heard much about their matches, and that Tung usually wins. It is quite exciting to see, isn’t it?

The men continued to exchange strikes and kicks, then step away, circle, and repeat. John gasped as, in a quick-as-lightning move, Tung Gee Hsing hooked his foot behind Robert Trias’ ankle, and the larger man lost his balance. Before John could even take in what was happening, Tung’s knee was on Trias’ chest, and the match was over. Both men were panting and sweaty, but John was sure he saw a glimmer of a smile in their eyes. 

He was fascinated. He wanted to know more. A thousand questions came to his mind, and he wanted answers to every one of them. 

This was the first encounter between the one who would one day come to be known as Master Hopkick and the way of being that would captivate him and become the ultimate driving force in his life. Though he did not yet know it, that day John took his first step onto the path of his future.

2

The simple brick school building could, at times, feel more like a prison than a school to John. He was grateful for the chance to learn, as many of his friends’ families could not afford to send their children to school. John knew it was important, and he worked as hard as he could to make it worth all the sacrifices his mother made to be able to pay the dues. The past three days, however, John had not been able to concentrate at all. 

The match he’d witnessed in Chinatown had filled his thoughts day and night ever since. 

How did such a small man triumph over such a large, strong boxing champion?

There were many other questions he had no answers to. His mother had told him all she knew, which, unfortunately, wasn’t much. She had heard from friends at work that Robert Trias came to Chinatown nearly every day to train with Mr. Tung.  

John Ramo! 

His teacher’s voice interrupted his thoughts, and John stood, uncertain what answer would be required of him, as he’d completely missed the question. 

Were you listening?

John looked down and sighed. No, ma’am. I’m sorry, I was distracted. 

I would like you to stay afterwards so we can discuss what was distracting you. His teacher’s words made his heart sink. He really did try hard at his schoolwork. It was just so hard to ignore what he’d seen on Saturday! 

***

John, you are one of my best students. What is wrong? Miss Peters did not sound angry, but still she was very serious. 

I’m sorry, truly. I saw something on Saturday in Chinatown, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. I will do better, John answered.

Did something bad happen? Something that scared you? Miss Peters was a very caring woman, and John could see the concern in her eyes. 

Oh, no, nothing bad. It was actually wonderful. A match, a fight…well, a boxing champion and another man, they were…I don’t know exactly what it was they were doing, but it was incredible! John stumbled to answer, partly because he still had no idea how to describe what he’d seen, and partly because just speaking of it made him excited. 

Ah, I see. I understand how exciting a sporting match can be, Miss Peters spoke as she gathered the papers on her desk into orderly piles. 

It was unlike anything I have ever seen before! I keep thinking about all the different ways they moved, and even stopped the other man’s strikes with their arms, like this! John raised his forearm, imitating one of the blocks he’d witnessed. 

John, there is a proper time for exciting sports, but you know as well as I do, you must put those things out of your mind when more important work is at hand. Miss Peters’ reprimand was not harsh, but John sighed deeply. 

I know, I have been trying, truly!

You are the hardest working ten-year-old boy I have ever met. She spoke gently, and John smiled a bit at her praise. 

You have a chance, a good chance, of earning a scholarship to study in Australia. John knew how much going away to study would mean to his family. If he could study abroad and graduate high school, there was no telling what jobs would be available to him! On the island, there was no education higher than the sixth grade, and many children didn’t make it that far. It would also mean he could take care of his mother in the future, and make sure she would have everything she needed. 

Are you still speaking English at home every day? Although English was the official language of the islands, most people spoke one of the many other languages or dialects native to the region in their homes. 

Yes, I am. It annoys my brothers, but I still practice speaking English with them, John grinned, and his teacher smiled back. Good. You read, write, and speak it very well, which is very important, as you have exams coming up. John knew how seriously she had been preparing him and the others in his class. 

Yes, ma’am, I know. I just can’t stop wondering about what I saw, and what exactly they were doing. 

A thought suddenly occurred to him. His teacher knew about so many things, perhaps she could tell him more!

Miss Peters, do you know about Chinese fighting? One of the men was Chinese. He won against the tallest man I have ever seen! 

Miss Peters shook her head. I’m sorry, John. I do know that every culture has its own method of defense, and China is a very ancient country, so it makes sense they have their own ways. But I don’t know anything about it.

She finished gathering her things and stood. 

You are a very inquisitive boy. It is one of the things that makes you such a good student. 

Placing a hand on his shoulder, Miss Peters looked at John kindly. 

If you must know about this, I suggest you find your answers, and put your mind at rest, so you can focus on more important things. Like your mathematics exam.

John smiled his appreciation at her kindness, but then his brow furrowed.

"But Miss Peters, where can I find them? You don’t know anything, and I have already checked the