Also known as

Donnie Yen Chi-tan · 甄功夫

Description

Chinese martial artist and actor born in Guangzhou. Trained Changquan under his mother Bow-sim Mark and Wu Bin at the Beijing Shichahai Sports School. Also trained Wing Chun under Ip Chun and received film mentorship from Yuen Woo-ping. Starred in over 80 films including Ip Man, Hero, and Rogue One.

Teachers (2)

• 
  Bow Sim Mark

  sports_martial_artsShaolinquan Probable

  Probable

  Wikipedia, citing her own books, and a profile that may follow it; her bio names him but not as her student.

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  3 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Wikipedia, citing her own books, and a profile that may follow it; her bio names him but not as her student.

  “He learned Shaolin Kung Fu and wudangquan at a young age under his mother's tutelage.”

  — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Donnie Yen. Wikipedia (English)link history info

  alt_routeIndirect

  “Her son, Donnie Yen, became a global martial arts film icon and one of cinema’s most recognized action stars.”

  — Grandmaster Bow Sim Marklink history info

  “Yen’s training in tai chi and traditional Chinese martial arts began very young under his mother Bow-sim Mark.”

  — Profile of Donnie Yen - Kung Fu Kingdom link history info

  sports_martial_artsWudangquan Probable

  Probable

  Wikipedia, citing her own books, and a profile that may follow it; her bio names him but not as her student.

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  3 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Wikipedia, citing her own books, and a profile that may follow it; her bio names him but not as her student.

  “He learned Shaolin Kung Fu and wudangquan at a young age under his mother's tutelage.”

  — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Donnie Yen. Wikipedia (English)link history info

  alt_routeIndirect

  “Her son, Donnie Yen, became a global martial arts film icon and one of cinema’s most recognized action stars.”

  — Grandmaster Bow Sim Marklink history info

  “Yen’s training in tai chi and traditional Chinese martial arts began very young under his mother Bow-sim Mark.”

  — Profile of Donnie Yen - Kung Fu Kingdom link history info
• 
  Wu Bin

  sports_martial_artsChangquan Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Wu Bin himself confirmed training Yen at Beijing Shichahai Sports School in multiple interviews (National Sports Bureau, Sina, Global People). Yen's mother Bow-sim Mark arranged the training after the Beijing Wushu Team visited Boston following Shaolin Temple (1982).

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  (1981–1983)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Wu Bin himself confirmed training Yen at Beijing Shichahai Sports School in multiple interviews (National Sports Bureau, Sina, Global People). Yen's mother Bow-sim Mark arranged the training after the Beijing Wushu Team visited Boston following Shaolin Temple (1982).

  “在国内将近两年断断续续的训练”

  — National Sports Bureau. (2012). National Sports Bureau - Wu Bin Interview (国家体育总局-吴彬专访)link info

  “甄子丹是他收进北京武术队的。[...]吴彬只留下了甄子丹一人。”

  — Global People. (2024). Global People - Wu Bin Interview (环球人物-吴彬专访)link history info

Ranks (3)

• sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu

  receipt_longPurple belt Probable

  Probable

  Gracie Magazine (Oct 13, 2011) calls Donnie Yen a "purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu." No named instructor documented. Trained alongside John Paul Salvitti in Boston circa 2000-2007 (MAAC interview, Kung Fu Kingdom interview).

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  BJJ Ranking System (2005)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  Gracie Magazine (Oct 13, 2011) calls Donnie Yen a "purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu." No named instructor documented. Trained alongside John Paul Salvitti in Boston circa 2000-2007 (MAAC interview, Kung Fu Kingdom interview).

  “An MMA fan and practitioner, the actor is also a purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu.”

  — Redação Graciemag. (2011-10-13). Jiu-Jitsu with a Chinese Touch in the Movieslink history info
• sports_martial_artsKōdōkan Jūdō

  military_tech1 dan Probable

  Probable

  English Wikipedia states he obtained a black belt in judo; no instructor or granting body named; Wikipedia only

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  Dan-Kyu System (2005)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  English Wikipedia states he obtained a black belt in judo; no instructor or granting body named; Wikipedia only

  “Over the course of his life, Yen embarked on a quest to explore and acquire expertise in various other forms of martial arts disciplines; he obtained black and purple belts in Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, respectively, and went on to study Wrestling, Muay Thai, and Boxing under various instructors.”

  — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Donnie Yen. Wikipedia (English)link history info
• sports_martial_artsTaekwondo

  military_tech6 dan Probable

  Probable

  English Wikipedia states he earned a 6th dan in taekwondo in his teenage years; no instructor or granting body named; Wikipedia only

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  Dan-Kyu System (1979)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  English Wikipedia states he earned a 6th dan in taekwondo in his teenage years; no instructor or granting body named; Wikipedia only

  “He then wanted to learn Taekwondo in his teenage years, earning a 6th Dan in the process.”

  — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Donnie Yen. Wikipedia (English)link history info

Sources

Identifiers