Reporter's Diary: Getting their kicks

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Breaking the Pattern

For decades, China's sports industry has been restrained by the planned economy. Kunlun Fight is among many innovative efforts breaking ground to change the system and allow a free market mechanism.

The country wants to build a collection of sports brands with strong global competitiveness. Our goal for shooting this film is to discover what's behind Kunlun Fights's success, and to break the walls that have restrained China's sports industry.

Kunlun Fight is a Chinese kickboxing promotion and recently became one of the top sports brands in the world. Its success in just 4 years is a legend, turning the platform into a global No.1. Jiang Hua, founder of Kunlun Fight, says the usual sports events are held once or twice a year. Kunlun Fight breaks the pattern, with more than 1,000 events annually. And they take each of the events as a product.

The use of diversified communication methods, has led to the building of a business model.

Jiang Hua is holding Feng Xingli to congratulate his champion at Kunlun Fight competition. Now forty years old, founder Jiang Hua, is the same age as China's reform and opening up policy. /Kunlun Fight Photo

"The reason behind Kunlun Fight's achievement is it looks for a model without any model to follow," said Jiang Hua.

China's Next Trillion-dollar Market

China's sports industry has grown rapidly over the years, and is expected to reach 5 trillion yuan, or some 770 billion dollars, by 2025.

The government is planning to promote the sports industry as a new impetus for the economy. Many experts say what's needed is a change in mindset, and innovation in product design and growth model.

Fighters Vlad Tuinov and Ismael Benali (L) at the weighing ceremony in Sanya, south China in August, 2018. /CGTN Photo by Lan Hao

"I think the next trillion-dollar market must be sports. I hope that Kunlun Fight will be able to create a new legend, promoting the country's sports industry," said Jiang.

Yu Yang, Vice President of Kunlun Fight says, what Jiang Hua is doing is not simply to create a competition. He has kept breaking through his own mode of thinking, and wants to become an industry leader.

Yu believes the fast growth of Kunlun Fight can be related to China's economic development. With a mindset change and wisdom, the sports industry will grow even faster.