Budapest, November 24th (Xinhua) – On the field, everyone fights on their own, and off the field, there is family interaction. Recently, at the Hungarian Martial Arts Championships held in the small town of Forte near Budapest, the five members of the Aru č evi á n family attracted attention.
This family can be described as “shining stars” – world champions, European event medalists, national champions, and coaches gather together. They use martial arts as a common language, and with dedication and perseverance, they have become a microcosm of martial arts taking root and thriving in Hungary.
Our family was born for martial arts, “said Alex, our father.
On November 22, Maria Aruchunyan (back left) and her three daughters were interviewed by Xinhua News Agency at the 2025 Hungarian Martial Arts Championships. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Hao
Mother: Entered the world of kung fu because of her child
Mom Maria and her three daughters are participating in different events and groups at three different venues. In order to cooperate with Xinhua News Agency reporters’ interviews, Maria spent the entire venue “grabbing dolls” to find her daughter after finishing one of her individual events. Dad Alex is a Sanda coach who always stays on the sidelines to guide the team in combat, and cannot be interviewed as a family.
Maria introduced that she only started learning martial arts in 2019, half a year later than her daughters. Her original intention was just to spend more time with her children and record their growth moments.
Unexpectedly, in the past six years, Maria has rapidly grown into one of Hungary’s most powerful martial arts athletes, winning 11 Hungarian national championships, 4 European championships, and a silver medal at the 2023 World Traditional Martial Arts Championships held on Mount Emei in China. Due to her outstanding performance, she also joined the Hungarian Martial Arts Federation as an international affairs coordinator.
My two eldest daughters started practicing martial arts in 2018, and I joined six months later than them. We have no communication barriers, and martial arts is our common language. We train, compete, and grow together. Maria, who stands with her three daughters, appears incredibly proud.
Regarding her experience of practicing martial arts halfway, Maria said, “I want everyone to see that regardless of age, background, or family status, they should not stop pursuing health and vitality
Maria will participate in the 2025 Hungarian Martial Arts Championships. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Hao
Three daughters: all champions
9-year-old Ajele was wearing a blue traditional martial arts uniform, with his mother’s masterpiece “pork rib braid” woven on his head. He flashed his big eyes and told reporters, “When I was 2 years old, my mother took me to the training hall. I crawled on the mat to watch my mother and sister train. When I was 3 years old, I suddenly knew everything.” This young man participated in the competition at the age of 4 and won his first Hungarian national championship at the age of 6.
I practice kung fu because my mom practices it, and my dad and sisters also practice it, so I like it too. But my mom and dad are not my coaches, “said Ajele, who has won eight national championships at a young age.
13-year-old Aurora is wearing a black martial arts uniform embroidered with a pink phoenix, looking shy and shy. However, she is full of dominance at the 2023 World Traditional Martial Arts Championships, winning the gold medal in unarmed combat and the bronze medal in long weapons. I have been practicing martial arts for seven years, and my favorite projects are stick art and bare hands. I really enjoy traditional martial arts, it’s very fun, and the experience of participating in competitions in China is very exciting
My youngest daughter Ajele will participate in the 2025 Hungarian Martial Arts Championships. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Hao
Anna Maria, the eldest daughter, is 14 years old and has won 12 national championships, 2 silver medals in European competitions, and 1 bronze medal in European competitions. She finished sixth in the routine competition of the World Traditional Martial Arts Championships, making her the youngest participant in the group.
I have been practicing routines for several years, and in the past year and a half, I have switched to practicing Sanda. I really enjoy Sanda because you don’t know what will happen in the next second, everything depends on technique and reaction. I used to be afraid of being hit, but now I’m not afraid anymore, “said Anna Maria, who looked sweet. She occasionally sits side by side with her father on the Sanda field, serving as an on-site guidance assistant for athletes from her sports association.
Father: 40 Years of Kung Fu Life
The children’s achievements are closely related to their father Alex. He started practicing martial arts at the age of 12, including knife, stick, and Baguazhang, and later switched to Sanda. He has dabbled in various martial arts styles and is still obsessed with martial arts at the age of 55.
Sanda is a set of rules that allow different types of martial arts to compete under fair rules, with the winner being judged by the higher. “Alex explained the difference between Sanda and other martial arts styles in this way.
Alex revealed that a few years ago, the couple sold two houses and bought a gym, which was transformed into the current “Dragon Sword Kung Fu and Martial Arts Sports Association”. This has become the “champion cradle” for their children and many martial arts teenagers in Hungary. Martial arts are like a sieve, only those who persist, respect, persevere, and truly love will stay. This is also the driving force of our family, “Alex said.
Alex was interviewed by Xinhua News Agency at the 2025 Hungarian Martial Arts Championships. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Hao
As a father who excels in both literature and martial arts, Alex, who holds a PhD in Management and Business, knows how to get along with children. In our family, if we confuse the roles of parents, coaches, and teachers, there will definitely be intense conflicts, so we separated them – Maria and I don’t directly teach martial arts to children, it’s better to leave daily training to professional coaches. We are just parents of the children, “Alex said with a smile.
The family power beyond medals
For the Aruchunyan family, martial arts is not only a sport, but also a way of life, a bond that unites the family and connects Chinese and Hungarian cultures.
Martial arts is not just about actions, it is also a part of Chinese culture, as well as calligraphy, tea ceremony, values, morality, and more. We hope to make more Hungarians understand the value and charm of martial arts through our own efforts
Maria believes that martial arts is one of the most suitable cultural activities and sports for families to participate in together, as it can bring people of different ages together and establish healthy and strong relationships. On the day of the competition, despite the rain and snow, many “martial arts families” still mobilized their entire families, and athletes showcased themselves amidst the cheers of their “family and friends”; In addition to the Aruchiyan family, there are also four children who practice martial arts and participate in competitions, and parents and family members who provide cheerleading and logistical support
Our lives revolve around martial arts. It is our hobby, way of life, and also our way of observing the world. We hope that in the future, more Hungarian martial artists will step onto the European and world stage, as long as there is more support, this is entirely possible, “Alex said.
The Chairman of the Hungarian Martial Arts Federation, Vorga Istvan, was interviewed by Xinhua News Agency. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Hao
The President of the Hungarian Martial Arts Federation, Vorga Istvan, introduced that there are 44 branch associations under its federation, with about 20000 people registered for regular training within the federation system, and many more people practicing martial arts only for daily health and fitness.
Hungary is a small country, but its martial arts population is not large. Martial arts is not only a sport, but also a gateway to Chinese culture, “said Walgaard. The lion dance and performances of instruments such as guzheng and pipa at the opening ceremony of the competition are the best embodiment of Chinese culture.
We are pleased to see a martial arts home like Aru č nyan in Hungary. We hope to organize this’ small family ‘of Hungary well and have more communication and exchanges with the’ big family ‘of China and the world, “said Walgaard.