By Gigi Oh (with Gene Ching)

Jimmy Wong's Taiji Legacy leaves everyone grinning so much they can't help but come back. Held again on August 1-3, 2003, Legacy drew around 800 competitors and seminar attendees, plus nearly 3000 spectators packing the 30,000-square-foot Arlington Convention Center in Dallas, Texas, right next to Six Flags.

In an unexpected change, Wong began with the Master?s Demo, moving it from evening to morning. Wong switched it for his volunteers: "This year is the first time we had the demo on Friday morning. The turnout was not as strong as previous years. But, have the show in the morning and the judges and workers only have one day of hard work." A traditional lion dance by Wong's drum team started an eye-opening Demo with masters like Mike Barry, Te-seng Chan, Jin Cai Cheng, Calvin Chin, David Chin, Sam Chin, Chun Man Sit, Siu Fong Evans, Chris Heintzman, Joe Keit, Johnny Lee, Kam Lee, Randy Li, Li Siu Hung, Jose Mendoza, Shi Deshan, Shi Yanfeng, Shi Xingying, Henry Poo Yee, Elaine Waters, Jonn Wang, Budd Wu, Wu Xiao Ping, Hui Zhuang and others. Wong's unforgettable 72-foot illuminated dragon danced in, and then Wong's demo team ended the show with a furious array of forms and fighting sets.

After a short break, the tournament was officially started by a grand opening ceremony with 16 little lions (performed by Wong?s younger students) in celebration of the 16th Anniversary for USA Chin Woo. Among the honorable guests were the Secretary General of Taiwan International Tai Chi Chuan Federation, George Lin, Vice Secretary General, Jason Han, Chairman, Chan Te-seng and the Team Master, Su Chin- Piao. The Taiwan International Tai Chi Chuan Federation sent a team of 20 members to compete and promote its upcoming Guinness World Record breaking attempt to have over 12,000 people practicing Taiji at the same time, scheduled for November 23, 2003 at Hsien Chuan Stadium in Taipei, Taiwan. The Honorary Chairpersons were introduced as David Chin, Lily Lau, Johnny Lee, Henry Look, Tu Chung King, Madame Wong Jurong and Dr. Wu Chengde. A signature of the Taiji Legacy opening ceremony is allowing any taiji lover at any level to perform any form of taiji together. This year more than 300 Taiji practitioners filled the floor. And, of course, Wong performed his own signature name-recognition introduction for more than 100 judges, officials and special guests! How does he do that? Wong laughs: "I only can do it when I didn't go to bed the night before; if I am relaxed then I can't even remember my own students' name." It's this kind of caring that makes Wong a first-class promoter. Wong elaborates, "You know why I have the most volunteer judges? Because they like their names called out loud one-by-one by the promoter at the opening ceremony. Yes, it took a bit too long, but compared to what they had to give up ? coming and working very hard for the tournament ? it?s nothing!"

Secrets of Taiji Legacy?s Longevity
What's Wong's secret of success? Wong confides, "First, you have to love what you are doing. You have to make sure everyone involved will have a good time. For me, it's not really necessary to make money ? but I can't lose money. Just a little profit is okay. Sure, if you counted the time invested, you can?t earn enough." So where does that money come in? Wong elaborates, "The majority of income is from the general registration fees both of competition and seminars, and the sale of spectator and masters' exhibitions tickets. Seminars have been steadily growing during the last few years and are a great way to promote the masters. Some sifus started from 3 to 4 attendees three years ago and grew into more than 40 students this year."

Anyone in the business knows location is everything. The Arlington Convention Center is a prime location, but that has its cost. Wong comments, "The major expenses are the rent for the facility and the hotel fees. Since we are next to Six Flags, the hotel is a bit inflated at $79.00 each night plus tax for a discounted rate. There are many other expenses such as the telephone bills for excess long distances calls, the meals for judges and guests, the costs for advertising at local English and the Chinese newspapers. I also advertised in Kung Fu Magazine and Tai Chi magazine too. During the last two weeks, I even went out with the students to the shopping centers to pass out more than 3500 flyers and put them on dashboards to promote the Masters? Demo."

Another innovation of Wong's is strictly for the competitors. "I invented a 'novice event' division in 1998. This is the division where you are not placed by scores competing with others. As long as you sign up, after performance you will get a gold medal.

Our foreign friends are particularly fond of this division. The gold medal is a proof of his or her achievement when they go back to their countries. This year there are more than 40 people in this division. Make money, also make everybody happy. It?s a win-win situation and that makes people live longer.?

USA Chin Woo
As reported last year, Wong has been working on founding the first official and exclusive Chin Woo building on American soil. Wong updates us on the progress, "We've acquired a building located to the north of Dallas. It's under re-construction now. When it finishes, it will be a 2-story structure with 4000 square feet for each floor space. One floor will be used for acupuncture and the other floor will be used for the Federation. And it will be more than just a kung fu school. It will be a cultural arts center offering Chinese medicine, music, calligraphy, and language. There is also a 'Taiji Caf?' offering coffee, soft drink and pastries, etc. The Caf? will be a good gathering place ? also a place for the parents to wait for the kids while finishing class. We hope to have a grand opening celebration with next year's Taiji Legacy." Wong?s nonstop efforts for Chin Woo and Chinese Martial Arts continue to inspire, and we can barely wait for next year.

Click here for Feature Articles from this issue and others published in 2004 .

Written by Gigi Oh (with Gene Ching) for KUNGFUMAGAZINE.COM

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