Born in Thu Thien Thuong Village in Tay Son District, Phan Tho started to learn martial arts when he was 17 years old. He began with An Vinh boxing but has now mastered handling 18 weapons.

After 20 years martial arts training he decided to sell his family’s most valuable possessions, a couple of cows, in order to continue his training. He learned from several famous martial arts instructors in Vietnam, including Diep Truong Phat, Le Hai, Dinh He and Ho Nganh and absorbed the strengths of different schools. However, traditional An Vinh martial arts remained his strength.

Teaching traditional martial arts to young learners

He has nearly become a part of Vietnamese lore, having been ascribed several anecdotal achievements, including winning three fights against South Korean boxing champions and defeating a 200 kilo wild pig that was attacking villagers and destroying their crops.

Martial arts instructor Le Cong Hoang, student of Phan Tho

He was considered a living example of the traditional martial arts of Binh Dinh, which has a history of over 200 years. Despite his reputation, he preferred a simple life.

Young generation succeeds forerunners