China's Battle Royale: Quarterfinals

The guys have rested up since Friday's first round and are now ready for action. 3 more wins for ultimate glory.

Here are the matchups:
Mao Zedong vs Chiang Kai-shek (the CCP leader in a historical rematch with the KMT/GMD chief)
Zhou Enlai vs Deng Xiaoping (Mao's #2 vs Mao's eventually successor)
Sun Yatsen vs Hu Jintao (the father of modern Chinese nationalism against the leader of current China)
Yen Fu vs Liang Qichao (Battle between two late 19th century intellectuals)

Let's get it on...

Quarterfinals
Mao Zedong vs Chiang Kai-shek
Chiang Kai-shek takes a nominal lead in this contest, but it's clear that he may not be able to hold on for long. Mao chips away at Chiang's legs. Then Mao works on Chiang's arms. The tide shifts as Chiang fights back. Mao was inches from extinction. Chiang knocked him out and walked away, believing that he was victorious. Then Mao marched his way and thrashed Chiang. It's all over. Mao moves onto the Semifinals.

Zhou Enlai vs Deng Xiaoping
In the beginning, Deng looks good. Deng unleashes a free market of punches to Zhou Enlai's face. But Zhou Enlai has seen this before. He knows Deng's moves ahead of time and throws a balance of his own kicks and punches. Deng feebly tries to fight back, but this is turning into a massacre and it will be overshadow Deng's previous victories, as it should. Zhou wins and will face Mao in the next round.

Sun Yatsen vs Hu Jintao
Sun Yatsen sets the tone from the outset. Anything Hu Jintao tries to do, he's beaten to the punch. Hu rolls with the punches... to the ground. It's a party in Hu's face and Sun's strong fists are invited. It's all over. Sun wins.

Yen Fu vs Liang Qichao
At first glance, this matchup appears to be equal. Liang Qichao's attacks are more varied than those of Yen Fu's, but Yen's are focused and land true. Liang decides to take a different approach deep into the contest. It works and Liang pounds Yen Fu like thunder crashing against the spirit of the nation, or something. But Yen Fu translates Liang's energy into a wealthy array of eye gouges. Liang is poked blind and it's all over. Yen will face Sun in the semis.