'Little badass': Internet erupts over 10yo Bruce Lee clone
A Japanese school boy obsessed with Bruce Lee is taking the internet by storm.
Ryusei "Ryuji" Imai is only 10 years old but his martial arts ability would make even the Hollywood legend proud.
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Imai - dubbed by many as 'Mini Bruce Lee' - has been watching the Kung Fu King's movies since he was one.
His parents would often show their son Lee's movies and marvelled at his ability to be able to copy the Hollywood star's nunchaku skills.
The youngster first shot to internet fame when replicated Lee's nunchuck moves almost perfectly in 2015.
“The phrase Bruce Lee used to say ‘don’t think, feel’, I can see that feeling coming out of Ryusei’s face,” his father Ryuji Imai said.
“It’s the coolest. I love Bruce Lee and so does Ryusei.”
Since then, his sizeable following on Facebook and Instagram has grown rapidly, and it's easy to see why.
This is incredible. What a little badass ⭐️🙌🏼 https://t.co/dQggnJmL8f
— Gail Kim-Irvine (@gailkimITSME) August 4, 2020
I can’t stop watching this...
— Anthony Spadaro (@aaspadaro) August 4, 2020
How am I just learning about this Ryusei Imai kid.
— Billy Hoyle™️ (@_IamTrueHate) August 3, 2020
Watching Ryusei Imai perform had me in tears. Such a wonderful kid.
— OZUNU (@jkosisochi) August 4, 2020
Ryusei Imai is special https://t.co/i3Bi5793B6
— Omari, have mercy (@ObroTweets) August 4, 2020
Youngster idolises Bruce Lee
The 10-year-old has posted countless videos to his Instagram page, showcasing his lightning fast punches and jaw-dropping roundhouse kicks.
“I want to be as cool as Bruce Lee,” Ryusei says. “I want to move as fast as him.”
The school boy has a gruelling daily training regime which includes one-handed push-ups using his knuckles, runs and floor exercises.
Unsurprisingly, his muscular frame has drawn plenty of attention for fans on social media, as well as his peers at school.
“In PE class, whenever I change my clothes, my friends say ‘your muscles are great’,” Ryusei says.
Although his star continues to shine around the world and a bright future beckons for the youngster, his dad is not about to place unnecessary pressure on the 10-year-old.
“I want him to devote himself to what he loves with an honest heart,” his father told Barcroft TV. “And never give up. As long as he remembers that and enjoys himself.”