Chinese Celebrity Wang Baoqiang, who was born as a commoner, was inspired by his co-star Chow Yun-fat while filming the movie “Tang Detective 1900” and began to run every morning. After several months of perseverance, he successfully lost 30 kilograms to fit the character’s image. The topic even trended on Weibo.
As a running enthusiast, the influential figure Chow Yun-fat greatly influenced Wang Baoqiang’s dedication to running. Wang Baoqiang, who has become highly disciplined, would run at least 5 kilometers every day with Chow Yun-fat on the filming location of “Tang Detective 1900.” Videos circulating online showed that many people also joined their running team along the way.
In 2023, Wang Baoqiang portrayed a middle-aged, overweight small business owner in the movie “Eight-sided Cage.” In order to embody the character of a retired martial artist who established a children’s fighting club, Wang Baoqiang had gained weight from 120 kilograms to 150 kilograms, with a bulging belly.
In his latest role in “Tang Detective 1900,” Wang Baoqiang appeared as a lean and sharp detective, showcasing a remarkable transformation from fat to fit. Not only did he successfully lose 30 kilograms, but he also developed visible abdominal muscles.
During an interview, Chow Yun-fat talked about his collaboration with Wang Baoqiang, jokingly saying, “Baoqiang is very obedient, running with me at 7 a.m. every morning, at least 5 kilometers.”
According to “The Paper,” over three months ago, runners in Shandong Dezhou encountered Wang Baoqiang and Chow Yun-fat during their morning run. Excitedly, one of the runners said, “At first, we just felt these two individuals looked familiar but never thought of them being celebrities. It wasn’t until Chow Yun-fat kindly said to us, ‘I like you guys who love sports,’ that we suddenly realized it was him and Wang Baoqiang.”
Chow Yun-fat started running at the age of 60 for health reasons, as he had developed a thoracic kyphosis from starring in numerous action films. In promoting his new film “Don’t Call Me God of Gamble,” he revealed that running not only helped straighten his waist but also made him grow 2 centimeters taller. Subsequently, he integrated running into his lifestyle, forming the “Hong Kong Running Group,” where he serves as both the captain and massage therapist. He frequently invites many Hong Kong celebrities to hike and run with him, teaching them post-run massage techniques.
With over 40 years in the entertainment industry, Chow Yun-fat has starred in many classic films. Despite his fame and stardom, he remains down-to-earth in private. He is often spotted enjoying street food, taking the subway, or riding the bus. Even in his late sixties, he continues his mountain climbing and running routines, participating in the Standard Chartered Half Marathon. Whether promoting films abroad or at home, he never skips a day of running. Many fans often meet “Big Brother Fat” unexpectedly, and he personally takes selfies with them, joking that if he weren’t an actor, he would have been an athlete, showing his down-to-earth and approachable nature.