It is unusual to see 35 top Chinese martial artists gathering together under one roof. It is even more unlikely that they will all perform on the same stage. Now you have the rare opportunity to witness this historical event in person by attending “Grandmaster Live” in San Jose on May 19.
Established in 1992, Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine is the strongest advocate and herald of Chinese martial arts in the West. It has introduced heroes and grandmasters in our time to the global arena. It has ploughed deep and discovered lost arts and brought it to life so we can appreciate the enormous depth and width of the art. Hence, it has earned the respect from the global community. Since 2008, Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine has been the main sponsor of an annual Kung Fu and Tai Chi Tournament, which encompasses vast divisions of both internal martial arts as well as external martial arts. It attracts a couple of thousands of participants each year. To elevate the skill level and enthusiasm of the art, each tournament also hosts a grand demonstration performed by masters and grandmasters so audience can learn more about the profundity of the art and be inspired to learn more. This year is the 25th anniversary of Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine and there will be a big celebration of the international martial art family. Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine has sent out invitations to Ying Xiong Hao Han (Chinese colloquial of heroes and tough men in the martial art world) around the world for its largest ever show. As of now, 35 top-notched martial art masters have accepted the invite. Each of them represents various categories or styles of Chinese martial arts. It is expected to be a star-studded night with knockout performances.
From the presenters’ web page, it reads like “who’s who” in the world of martial arts.
American Grandmaster Dennis Brown (photo left), aka Chinatown Brown: an 80’s weapons star, trainer of champions and promoter of the long-running U.S. Capitol Classics tournament. He is the heir to the world-famous fighting system, which originated in the T’ien Shan Mountains of northwestern China.
American Grandmaster Chan Pui (photo right): a 6th Generation Successor of the Wah Lum Tam Tui Northern Praying Mantis System and 33rd Generation Successor of the Shaolin Temple. He and his daughter Master Mimi Chan are famous for their fearless flights. She was also the martial artist that Disney modeled after for the ancient Chinese heroine and female general Mu Lan.
Chinese Master Chen Bing (photo left): a 12th generation Chen Tai Chi Family descent and 20th generation of Chen Tai Chi inheritor. He is known for his graceful Tai Chi demonstration yet explosive Push Hands skills.
American Grandmaster David Chin (photo right): the Legacy of Hop Gar Rebels and Guang Ping Tai Chi Revolutionaries. It is said that Guang Ping Tai Chi is an offshoot of the Yang Style Tai Chi with more rigorous routines and it was not shared with outsiders by Grandmaster Yang Luchan. Grandmaster Chin was fortunate to learn the art and knows the secrets of the Yang Style Tai Chi’s powerful combative maneuvering.
American Grandmaster Chiu Chi Ling (photo left): a well-known movie star as well as Hung Gar fist fighter. He is well liked worldwide by his movie fans and martial art followers. His signature movement is the Hung Gar Kung Fu Iron Arms with ten metal rings on each arm.
American Master Jack Xueli Fu (photo right): changed people’s impression that the elegant Tai Chi Chuan is only good for old people to a highly effective Chin Na (joint lock) martial art. Actually there are hidden Chin Na techniques in majority of the graceful Tai Chi movements. Master Fu is the master to translate them into actual action.
American Master Gao Jiamin (photo left): a Tai Chi champion in China with many competition titles. At least half million of people have viewed her video demonstrating the standard Tai Chi 24 online. She oftentimes is nicknamed as the “pink lady” in the West.
Chinese Master Guo Naihui (photo right): may not be recognized by many in the West, is well versed why Kung Fu is an art and how the martial art applications blend well with aesthetic elements.
American Grandmaster Lili Lau (photo left): known as Empress of the Eagles with her deadly “Claws”. The traditional Eagle Claw is based on three (3) fundamental forms: Hahng Kuen Sahp Lo (walking fist 10 sections), Lin Kuen Ng Sahp Lo (combination fist 50 sections), and 108 Chin Na (joint locking techniques). All the techniques are practical and impressive to watch.
American Grandmaster Hoy Lee (photo right): the lineage holder of Jow Gar Kung Fu, a century-old mixed martial art that fuses Hung Gar, Choy Gar, and Shaolin Kung Fu together. He is respected as someone who has the “profound ability to inspire many people around you”.
American Grandmaster John Leong (photo left): has been teaching Chinese martial arts in the U.S. for 55 years and best known for his Hung Gar Kung Fu and his hard Qigong. He could bend five long rebars with his throat. He has been one of the pioneers who promote of Chinese martial arts by hosting tournaments and demonstrations for decades.
American Grandmaster Li Siu Hung (photo right): was a former full contact fighting champion as well as champion of many bare-hand forms and weapons. He is the master of the Drunken form of the Choy Lay Fut Kung Fu.
Canadian Master Helen Liang (photo left): survived a late stage of cancer with a concoction of western medicine, Qigong, Tai Chi, and Chinese medicine, is an expert of the Water Boxing or Liu He Ba Fa. She also choreographed a ten movement Tai Chi form for women to address several sicknesses that women suffer most.
Canadian Grandmaster Liang Shou-Yu (photo right): father and teacher of Master Helen Liang. He is a master of several Chinese martial arts of Wushu, Sanshou, Tai Chi, Qigong, Xingyi, Bagua, Liu He Ba Fa, and Wuji Xiao Yao among others. He is also a well-published author with volumes of instructional DVDs and books including 130 episodes of Tai Chi teaching for Channel M. Multivision Television in Canada.
Chinese Professor Lin Jianhua (photo left): a scholar of Chinese martial arts in general and expert of Xingyi Chuan. He is renowned for his explosive power with moving steps. He also created a Qigong form called Xingyi Yangshengong.
American Grandmaster Benny Meng (photo right): a master of many martial arts including Shaolin, Taekwondo, and Krav Maga and Grandmaster of Wing Chun. He has over 30 affiliated locations and instructors worldwide. He is probably one of the youngest grandmasters alive.
American Coach Christopher Pei (photo left): an expert of Wushu system and has trained many champions but with a humble attitude. He is also known for his excellent skill as master of ceremony and hosted many important martial art events.
American Master Wayne Peng (photo right): the authority of Zhao Bao Tai Chi, which is a controversial style of Tai Chi as far as its origin. He has authored Zhao Bao Tai Chi Kung Fu to explain the history and forms of Zhao Bao Tai Chi.
American Shaolin Monk Shi Yanran (photo left): prominent for his ability to demonstrate a high-octane Shaolin fighting sequence called Dashanmen (or attacking the mountain gate) to overpower almost two dozens of Shaolin warriors. He has contributed greatly to promote Shaolin Kung Fu in the U.S.
American Shaolin Monk Shi Yongyao (photo right): once the chief coach of Shaolin Kung Fu Troupe is recognized for his amazing martial art prowess especially the iron crotch.
American Grandmaster Tu Jin-Sheng (photo left): renowned for his iron crotch. In an article “Bigger! Longer! Harder!” published by Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine, you will be amazed by his astonishing power.
Chinese Professor Wang Peikun (photo right):an outstanding grandmaster of traditional Kung Fu and one of the founders of Modern Wushu, helped to invent new Wushu weapon Nandao (Southern Broad Sword).
American Grandmaster Daniel Weng (photo left): a connoisseur on Shuai-Chiao and has certified over 100 judges. Grandmaster Weng has made his mission to teach the world Shuai-Chiao, which oftentimes mistaken to be Japanese but actually one of the oldest Chinese martial arts.
American Master Phillip Wong (photo right): a 13 national and international Grand Championship. Master Wong won the all-around silver medal at the 2nd International Wushu Games, second only to China. He masters many martial art forms including Drunken Kung Fu. His 8-Immortal Kung Fu was awesome to watch.
American Master Wu Amin (photo left): a champion of multi-titles in China. Her Tai Chi single sword routine is exquisite. She has diverse experience in teaching various Tai Chi styles and Qigong forms to people of all ages.
Chinese Coach Wu Bin (photo right): respected as the Father of Modern Wushu and best known as Super Star Jet Li’s teacher. Despite his high status, connection, and influence, I was totally impressed by his humility when I met him a few years ago.
American Master Grace Xiaogao Wu-Monnat (photo left): came from a legendary Wushu family. Her mother was the famous martial art master and professor Wang Jurong, who was the daughter of Grandmaster Wang Ziping. Grace’ dad Wu Chengde was a martial artist as well as a professor in medicine.
Chinese Master Xiao Jiaze: a master of many internal and external martial arts but focuses on the essence of the martial arts instead of forms. He thinks that forms along are not relevant.
American Master Xu Dezheng: a 32nd generation disciple of Shaolin. He also is a Judo champ and nationally certified judge for Chinese Kung Fu as well as Taekwondo in China. He teaches Shaolin Kung Fu, Tai Chi, and Qigong with influences from other martial arts.
American Grandmaster & Dr. Yang Jwing Ming: one of the few who master both the internal arts of Tai Chi and Qigong as well as external martial arts like Shaolin. Dr. Yang has authored many books, DVDs, and Podcasts to educate people all over the world about Chinese martial arts. He has established training schools in several countries. He is also the founder of YMAA Retreat Center, which adheres to the tradition method to train a new generation of martial artists.
American Master Tai Yim (in the back of the left photo): the 8th generation lineage holder of the Hung Fut Kung Fu system. He has been promoting Chinese martial arts enthusiastically both in Hong Kong and the U.S. for five decades. In 1991, he produced two martial arts motion pictures in the United States. In 1993, he c0-founded the United States of America Wushu-Kung Fu Federation. Sifu Tai Yim has produced many national and international champions and grand-champions.
American Master Zhao Changjun (photo right): From the late 1970s to the late 1980s, he captured ten individual all-around titles in major national and international events and won 56 gold medals. He dominated the martial art world for over 10 year and people called it the “Zhao Changjun era”. Today, he owns a Wushu school in New Jersey and trains his son Zhao Yun as well as many other champions.
American Zhou Junjian: an international champion of modern Tai Chi who has also developed profound skills in Wudang Kung Fu.
I am grateful to see that few grandmasters, who are in their 70’s, will still participate the event. That reflects their passion for the art and I can’t wait to eyewitness their performances in person. For more information and tickets, you can visit the link here.
(Photos are courtesy from Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine.)
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