May 6, 2012
Don’t miss out the exciting 2012 TCKFM Championship and Gala!
Violet Li
Tai Chi Examiner
Only one month left before the 4th Annual Tiger Claw’s KungFuMagazine Championship (TCKFMC) taking place on June 9th at McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California. In conjunction with the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine, this Championship is bigger than ever with 206 divisions including two new divisions of Duilian (weapon) Sparring Set. There will be hundreds of martial art experts, judges and champions attending these events including 38 masters/grandmasters. These programs will be one of the biggest events in the global martial art community in 2012.
The 2012 Championship encompasses Chinese Martial Arts Empty Hand forms, Chinese Martial Arts Weapon forms, Tai Chi, Wing Chun, Restricted-step Push Hands, Moving Push Hands, and special categories of Songshan Shaolin, WildAid, and others. Most of the categories have divisions by skill level and age group. Push Hands and Wing Chun Chi Shou are divided by gender and body weight, so are the special categories. 22 Grand Champion titles will be awarded to different age groups along with skill level. In the past, the TCKFMC Championship tournaments were very competitive. To encourage participation and promote martial arts, TCKFMC made the event fun, versatile and family-friendly. They will award all first-timers a trophy. According to TCKMC’s philosophy, the first-timer divisions are confidence building. They hope new participants will continue to compete in the future in the mainstream categories.
This tournament is hosted by Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine (KFTCM) with sponsorship of California Bank & Trust, Five Branches University, International Wushu Sanshou Dao Association, Grandmaster Pan Qingfu, Grace Wu Kung Fu School, New York Pak Mei Kung Fu (Headmaster Williy Pang), One Work Place, CLF 1836, Dr. James K. Yu, Seattle Kung Fu Club, USA Tai Chi Culture Association,
USA Wu Chi Kung Fu Academy, Shaolin Temple Martial Arts Xuexiao – Xiaolong Wuyuan, Grandmaster Zhang Yuanming, City of San Jose, WildAid, and many others. The Annual WildAid Tiger Claw Championship is a showcase benefit event at TCKFMC. All the proceeds from this event will be donated to WildAid’s continued efforts to save wild tigers and other endangered animals.
On the evening of Saturday, June 9th, KFTCM will host the KUNG FU TAI CHI 20 YEARS GALA BANQUET. All of the past cover masters are invited for a celebratory banquet and martial arts demonstration. As of now, 38 prominent martial arts masters and grandmasters have confirmed their participation: Fanziquan and Zhaobao Tai Chi Grandmaster Bai Wenxiang,Wah Lum Master Mimi Chan, Wah Lum Grandmaster Chan Pei, Chen Style Tai Chi lineage holder Master Chen Bing, Shaolin Master Chen Tong Shan, Push Hands Master Jack Xueli Fu, Hop Gar Kung Fu and Guang Ping Tai Chi Grandmaster David Chin, Hung Gar Kung Fu Grandmaster Chiu Chi Ling, T'ien Shan P'ai Grandmaster Dennis Brown, Chen Style Tai Chi Grandmaster Ren Guang-Yi, San Da and Qin Na Master He Tao, Shaolin master Jin Le, Eagle Claw Grandmaster Lily Lau, Ultimate fighting champion Chun Le, fighting champion and Grandmaster Hoy Lee, Hung Gar Kung Fu Grandmaster John Leong, Choy Lay Fut Grandmaster Li Siu Hung, Internal Style Martial Arts Master and Water Boxing creator Helen Liang, Bak Mei Grandmaster Mai Yu Qiang, Tai Chi expert Jonathan Miller, Qigong and Internal Martial Arts Grandmaster Liang Shou-Yu, Wing Chun, Tae Kwon Do and Tai Chi Grandmaster Benny Meng, Chain Grandmaster Dino Salvatera, Shaolin Monk Shi Decheng, movie star Shi Xiaolong, Shaolin Monk Shi Yanran, Shaolin Monk Shi Yongyao, Jing Quan Dao Grandmaster Alex Tao, Iron Crotch Grandmaster Tu Jin-Sheng, Chen Style Tai Chi and weapon Grandmaster Wang Zhihai, Chin Woo and Wu-Hao Tai Chi Grandmaster Jimmy Wong, Drunk Fist Master Phillip Wong, Superstar Jet Li’s teacher Wu Bin, Wushu Master Grace Wu-Monnat, Shaolin and Yang Style Tai Chi Grandmaster Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming, Bagua Zhang Master Zhang Hongmei, Qigong Grandmaster Zhang Yuanming, and Bak Mei Sup Jee Quan Master Zhong Luo. You could say this is a star-studded event.
To popularize martial arts and promote healthy lifestyles, Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine has gone their way out to organize a large free street fair called KUNG FU TAI CHI DAY, open to the public. It will be held in Plaza de Cesar Chavez in the heart of downtown San Jose from 11 AM to 3 PM on Sunday, June 10th. There will be ongoing performances by masters and local schools, as well as introductory workshops in Kung Fu, Wushu, Tai Chi and Qigong.
Masters’ Demonstration:
To be announced
School Demonstration:Ben's Shaolin Kung Fu, China Tai Chi Kung Fu, Ohlone College Tai Chi,
Pure Shaolin Kung Fu, Shaolin Temple USA, U.S. Kung Fu Temple, U.S.A. Jing Quan Dao Academy, USA O-Mei Kung Fu Academy, USA Tai Chi Culture Associationand USA Wu Chi Kung Fu Academy.
Violet Li is an award winning journalist, certified Taiji (Taichi) instructor, and certified Heart Zone Trainer. She has studied Taiji, Qigong (Chi Gong), and heart fitness with many grandmasters and experts. She has taught Taichi, Chi Gong and other fitness programs to different demographic...