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The front row from left to right: Lingnan Quanshu (Taiwanese Hung Kyun)’s Lin Li-mao, Wudang Zhongnan Sect’s Ho Guo-chao, Zhaobao Taijiquan’s Xiao Zhi-fu, Baji Quan’s Ji Shaohua, Nothern Shaolin Longfist’s Shen Mao-Hui, the competiti (Photo by Lian Li / The Epoch Times)
On August 2, the opening ceremony of the “Global Martial Arts Grand Competition” held by New Tang Dynasty Television attracted nearly a thousand viewers. The highlight of the ceremony was the demonstration of martial arts by nine kung fu masters from Taiwan. Friends in the kung fu circuit were saying, “Experts all know that today’s brilliant performance is hard to come by in a hundred years.”
In the opening ceremony, 39 participating teams with 223 contestants entered the field with a radiant spirit. They saluted the masters on the stage in traditional ways by holding their fists in front of their chests to express the essence of “honoring teacher and respecting teachings.”
The nearly 1,000 in attendance included many martial arts fans and media all eagerly anticipating the nine kung fu performances.
Wing Chun Kung Fu’s master Lo Man Kam demonstrates Wing Chun boxing. (Photo by Lian Li / The Epoch Times)
Master Lo Man Kam of Wing Chun Kung Fu was the first on stage. As one of the three apprentices along with the international star Li Xiaolong, Lo is a media favorite. He first greeted the audiences and explained that he dressed up in the 1940’s standard martial arts wardrobe; white shirt, black trousers with waist belts, just like what Bruce Lee wore in his days. Lo thus traversed space and time with the audience and let them experience the milieu of traditional martial arts.
Lo has been teaching overseas and has many Chinese and western students. He demonstrated the fist form of Chinese boxing, which has 108 movements. Every gesture and motion is full of vigor; although slow, the inner strength is transmitted to each gesture and thus the exercise has the effect of building good health and managing the enemy.
Singing Crane Tai Chi master Jheng Sian-ci was unable to attend because of a foot injury, but he arranged for an outstanding disciple to demonstrate the “Singing Crane Fist.” The performer’s hands vibrated vigorously as if a large crane was agitating its wings while singing, it was full of vitality. This Fist is rarely seen elsewhere since it is exclusively preserved in Taiwan.
Singing Crane Taiji Fist master Jheng Sian-ci’s outstanding disciple demonstrates Singing Crane Fist. (Photo by Lian Li / The Epoch Times)
Lingnan Quanshu’s master Lin Li-mao demonstrates Zhou Style Revolving Fist (Photo by Lian Li/The Epoch Times)
Taiwan Lingnan Quanshu’s representative Lin Li-mao has promoted traditional martial arts for almost 30 years. He demonstrated the Zhou style “Revolving Fist” noted for its firmness, power and swiftness.
Wudang Zhongnan Sect’s Ho Guo-chao, at his advanced age of 85 years, demonstrated “Drunken Fist” with the unusual traditional rhythm. Many experts highly praised his performance. According to legend, the Wudang Sect drunken fist “Drunken Arhat” was handed down by the Mt. Zhongnanshan’s “Perfected Fire Dragon” master Zhang Sanfeng. The movement of the Fist looks staggering, but actually requires unifying the mind and soul with eyes focused.
Wudang Zhongnan Sect’s master Ho Guo-chao demonstrates drunken fist “Drunken Arhat.” (by Lian Li / The Epoch Times)
Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan (Wu shi Taijiquan)’s master Huo Jie-cyuan demonstrates Wu Style Tai Chi Fist. (Lian Li / The Epoch Times)
Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan (Wu shi Taijiquan) Research Association’s founder Huo Jie-cyuan, learned the Fist of Fury (Jingwumen) Huo Yuanjia’s Delusive Fist (Mizong Quan) from his father. He became an apprentice to Hong Kong Wu Style Taiji master Ng Kung-yi in a solemn ceremony. He is the highest descendant of Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan in Taiwan. In his demonstration of the Wu Style Tai Chi Fist, every gesture and motion is distinctly still or swift and at the same time focused on the joints’ flexibility. The variation of ever minute change in strength held the breath and gaze of the audience.
Baji Quan master Ji Shao-hua is a descendant of master Ji Yun-long, and the only direct line disciple of Ji Style Ba Ji Quan (Eight Ultimate Fist.) His demonstration was very authentic Ba Ji Quan, be it the storing of energy or the release of energy, it was all very simple and direct, it fully exhibited the Fist’s plain, unyielding, and close attack characteristics. The experts in the audiences all praised this highly.
Baji Quan’s master Ji Shao-hua demonstrates Baji Fist. (Lian Li / The Epoch Times)
Sanbudian Mallet master He shan-fa demonstrates Three Steps Mallet. (Lian Li / The Epoch Times)
Fujian Yongchun Taizuquan disciple He Shan-fa, 82 years old, demonstrated the brilliant “Three Steps Mallet” which is one of the representative kung fu weapons in Taiwan. It is known that this art was lost for many years. It was He who resurrected it and passed it on to the Mainland. This mallet approach uses a ten foot long club, using the energy in Dantian (point two inches below the navel where one’s qi resides) and the waist as the axis, pouring energy into the weapon and thus generating an instantaneous springing and vibrating power that converts both void and solid.
Shaolin Changquan Sect’s Shen Mao-Hui, one of the Five Tigers of Han Sect only assumed the position of vice chairman of the competition review committee because of his old age. The demonstration was performed by his outstanding disciples Bai Sheng-Wen and Liang Tiejun. Bai demonstrated the Northern Shaolin’s traditional “Er Lu Meifu Long Fist” and fully exhibited its characteristics of stretching, the opening and closing moves, and the distinct rise and fall.
The competition review committee chairman Li Youfu demonstrated the “Quick Step Taiji” that has never been made public before. (Lian Li / The Epoch Times)
Lian Tiejun, an outstanding disciple of Shaolin Changquan Sect’s master Shen Mao-Hui, demonstrates (Yin Ching Tui). (Lian Li / The Epoch Times)
The last performance was by the chairman of the competition review committee Li Youfu who was the campaign of the China National Traditional Martial Arts. When he appeared on the stage, the audience was dead silent with great anticipation. Li saluted the audience with the posture of palms together in the paragon of modesty. His demonstration was “Quick Step Tai Chi” which was handed down by Shangdong master Chen Jisheng. It used the quick-step method to demonstrate the ancient 108 movements.
In his demonstration, Li’s eye sight was focused and bright, the 108 forms flowed like a single movement without any pause. The strength was projected via transformation, punching and foot movement. This secret approach was thereby shared with all martial arts lovers. Even martial arts masters watched with respectful attentiveness and nodded their heads repeatedly.
After the brilliant demonstrations, the young martial arts masters all felt the event was an unusual rarity. Many Chinese and foreigners crawling to the front of the stage to take pictures, could not bear to leave. Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan’s Huo Jie-cyuan indicated that all demonstrations were performed by Taiwan’s highest senior masters. The demonstrations were brilliant, especially by so many different disciplnes. It made one feel that fights were “wonderful” yet with a sense of “fellowship.” Although the performers are from different disciplines, the practice is the same; it was a very good promotion.
Click here for the original article in Chinese: http://news.epochtimes.com/gb/8/8/2/n2214077.htm
