Meet Abbas Alizada also known as the Afghan Bruce Lee – in pictures
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From the ruins of an iconic bombed-out palace above Kabul, the young Afghan man bearing a striking resemblance to kung fu legend Bruce Lee is high-kicking his way to internet fame, aiming to show another side to his war-weary nation. Mohammad Ismail / Reuters -
Videos and photos of Abbas Alizada, 20, posted on the Facebook page “Bruce Hazara”, show him performing backflips and striking Lee’s famous poses. Mohammad Ismail / Reuters -
Bruce Lee, right, and Chuck Norris, during the filming of The Way of the Dragon. -
“I want to be a champion in my country and a Hollywood star,” Alizada says at Kabul’s desolate Darul Aman Palace, where he trains twice a week, swirling nunchakus and sporting a Lee-like bowl haircut. Mohammad Ismail / Reuters -
Alizada is one of 10 children from a poor family. His parents could not afford the fees at an academy of Wushu, a Chinese mixed martial art, but a trainer took him under his wing. Mohammad Ismail / Reuters -
He rejects the name Bruce Hazara given to him by friends in recognition of his ethnic heritage, saying he prefers to be known as the Afghan Bruce Lee in a country riven by tribal divides. Mohammad Ismail / Reuters -
During a workout at the palace, adorned with photos of thousands of civilian war victims as part of a protest exhibition, Alizada showed off his wiry physique, doing push-ups on his fingertips and sparring with a partner. Two assistants dabbed his brow and fixed his hair for the cameras. Mohammad Ismail / Reuters -
“The only news that comes from Afghanistan is about war ... I am happy that my story is a positive one,” Alizada says. Mohammad Ismail / Reuters
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