Welcome to the Evolving Folks Project’s Evolved Man of the Week profile. Today, we will highlight historical and contemporary figures who embodied what it means to be an evolved man, famous and non-famous alike. The world needs to know their stories and deeds. This week’s honor goes to the teacher, trainer, and martial arts master Damien Agossou Degbo.
Damien Angossou Degbo is a native of the African nation of Benin. At the tender age of 13, Degbo discovered his love of martial arts. During school holidays, while watching Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan’s films in a bustling cinema in Porto-Novo, the vibrant sights and sounds of the unique culture ignited a life-changing interest within him.
In 2009, Degbo began his Kung Fu journey at a private club in Porto-Novo. Where the air was filled with the smell of sweat and exertion before immersing himself in Chinese language and culture courses at Cotonou’s Chinese Cultural Center. In 2010, he established Super Shaolin of Benin, a club buzzing with the energy of dedicated martial artists.
The year 2014 exploded with vibrant color as the Beninese martial artist finally arrived at the Shaolin Temple in China. His heart soared with the realization of a lifelong ambition. Over the course of three months, he endured a grueling daily routine, pushing his limits far beyond what he’d known in Benin, each day marked by sweat and aching muscles.
Like all warrior monks, when not breaking boards and holding the unwavering horse stance, he dedicated himself to the art of Chinese calligraphy, the precise movements of tea preparation, the serenity of meditation, and the healing touch of massage. His studies encompassed the intricacies of traditional Chinese medicine, with its emphasis on balance and harmony. During this time, he gained the profound wisdom of Buddhist philosophy, which focuses on mindfulness and compassion.
A year later, Degbo seethed in China, a fire in his belly as he witnessed the dwindling respect for these ancient arts, fueling his determination to preserve them. With over 350 students across Benin, the Super Shaolin club’s impact resonates through the rhythmic thud of practice, the sharp cries of exertion, and the quiet focus of dedicated students. Degbo teaches a range of disciplines, including Chinese Kung Fu and Tai Chi. He also teaches meditation, traditional massage, and cultural practices such as the Chinese tea ceremony and lion and dragon dances.
Here is Degbo in his own words about sharing his wisdom and Kung Fu skills with others:
“Sharing Kung Fu with young people gives them insight into the values of Chinese culture: discipline, harmony, respect,”… “It opens a window onto another worldview.”
We at the Evolving Folks Project wish Damien Agossou Degbo continued success. He’s proof that with dedication, luck, and grit, one can achieve one’s dreams, from being inspired by martial arts films to becoming a full-fledged Kung Fu master in their own right. Damien Agossou Degbo has craved a path, and he shares his knowledge with countless others as a teacher. Today, we honor Damien Agossou Degbo as our Evolved Man of the Week.
Evolving Folks Project 