A self-proclaimed wushu (martial arts) master in Linyi, East China's Shandong Province, knocks down four opponents by waving a writing brush. Photo: Screenshot of a video posted by the Paper

A video clip showing a self-proclaimed wushu (martial arts) master knocking down four opponents by waving a writing brush has gone viral online. The "master" later explained that the match was actually a show satirizing so-called fake martial arts masters. 

In the video of a wushu match in Linyi, East China's Shandong Province, posted by the Paper on Friday, He Weiyue, the wushu master, waved his writing brush and repeatedly KO'd four strong opponents, using exaggerated movements, voice and expressions.

The local wushu association published a statement on July 19 condemning the attention-seeking show, saying that they have launched an investigation into the illegally held hyped match.

He told media that the show was just a parody. "I was invited to perform a parody of those popular fake 'masters' and I performed as requested before the match."

He also added that as a wushu practitioner himself, he despises the so-called wushu masters. "I call myself master just to be ironic, just for fun, like a sketch show." 

Netizens find it sarcastic that his attempt at irony failed. "It's so ironic that they don't punish the fake masters, but punish a comedian for being ironic," read one comment.