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Jason Richardson joins top Chinese comedian on stage

: 0 Comments Print E-mail CRI, August 6, 2010

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NBA star Jason Richardson has a new challenge ... spinning handkerchiefs.

The Slam Dunk champion appeared in Shenyang, in northeast China's Liaoning Province on Wednesday (August 4), joining the country's leading comedian Zhao Benshan in a highly entertaining show.

Richardson showed off his basketball-spinning skills, while Zhao challenged that by twirling his sweat towel in his trademark errenzhuan performance.

Chinese comedian Zhao Benshan and American basketball player Jason Richardson are seen in a show in Shenyang, in northeast China's Liaoning Province on Wednesday, August 4, 2010. [CFP]

The two stars then exchanged gifts and Richardson called Zhao "shifu", a respectful word in Chinese for "teacher", prompting speculation that he had joined Zhao's talent pool of errenzhuan protégés.

"We were just kidding each other. He [Richardson] is welcome to be my basketball teacher and I'd be glad to teach him errenzhuan if he's interested," Zhao said later.

Richardson, who was in China on a promotional trip for one of his sponsors, said it had been a surprise for him to get to know Zhao and his errenzhuan art.

The Phoenix Suns player won the NBA's Slam Dunk contest in 2002 and 2003.

Errenzhuan, which originated in northeast China, is a stage genre usually involving two performers dancing, singing and interacting with the audience. Zhao Benshan is credited with popularizing the art form in other parts of China.