A Taste of China 2000

USA All-Taijiquan Championships
by Betsy Chapman

The annual 2000 USA All-Taijiquan Championships were held in conjunction with the A Taste of China Seminar Series over the Fourth of July holiday. As always, this event was a combination of competition, seminars with top-level instructors, and a chance for many of us to meet our friends from other parts of the country and the world. In 2000 the event stretched to two weeks, culminating in the opportunity to spend a week studying Traditional Yang Family Style Taijiquan with Master Yang Zhen-Duo and Yang Jun after the conclusion of the tournament. As one would expect in The Year of The Dragon, there was spirited training during the seminars, and spirited competition over the weekend.

The Seminars focused on "Taijiquan: The Dao of Living," and the week began with special sessions for those who teach taijiquan, as well as those who are preparing to teach. From there, study progressed to various styles of Taiji, Push-Hands seminars, Qigong training, exploration of the way Taijiquan study applies to our daily life, and a host of other topics. The faculty included master teachers Jeff Bolt, Chung-Jen Chang, Kathy Gracenin, Nick Gracenin, Wei-lun Huang, Daniel Lee, Qiang-ya Liang, Shou-yu Liang, Chris Luth, Louisa Martin-Smith, Sam Masich, Steve Sun, Peter Warr, Elaine Waters, Ju-rong Wang, Cheng-de Wu, Helen Wu, and Jwing-ming Yang. Many of these teachers participated in the Friendship Demonstrations on Saturday evening, always an interesting mix of styles and performances. The demonstration was capped off with Yang Jun and Master Yang Zhen-Duo, a real privilege to see them appear again in Winchester.

The competition was held on Saturday and Sunday with a new treat - air conditioning! Those of us who sweated through the last few years in Winchester didn't even notice that the venue was a little bit smaller, we were cool and comfortable, and that really helped us enjoy the proceedings. The building may have been cool, but the competition was hot with the Canadians challenging the Americans for top honors at every turn.

Because of its focus on the "internal" arts, this competition provides divisions for each major style of Taijiquan, as well as Xingyi and Bagua. Competitors came from across the U.S., Canada and several other countries, some from as far away as Australia and South Africa. Divisions included the Yang, Chen, Wu and Sun Style divisions as well as the full complement of weapons and push-hands. After two days of tough competition it was Sara Gellhorn of Pennsylvania who took the Forms Grand Championship and was awarded the Li Tian-ji Memorial Award. Gellhorn had been the Push-Hands Grand Champion at this tournament in 1997 and 1998, and is a student of Jose Johnson.

Johnson also coached the 1999 Forms Grand Champion, Galen Shaner. Close behind Gellhorn was Michael Ham in second place and Chris So in third. Both hail from Ontario and are students of Master Helen Wu. We'll look forward to seeing more of these competitors at future events. It is impressive to see the level of ability the competitors have achieved.

May Lee of California walked off with the honors in the Bagua division, and received the Fu Yong-hui Memorial Award. This was particularly appropriate, as Lee's teacher is Qiang-ya Liang, disciple of Fu Zhen Song. Her performance in the Bagua division, as well as with Bagua Dao, was dazzling.

The push-hands competition was exciting as always. It was good to see some new faces enter the ring, and it is always good to see the friendly but tough competition at this event. In the Women's Restricted Step division, Juliana Lassiter of North Carolina took the Novice honors, Diana Frost of Oklahoma won the Women's Lower Category, and Mary Metke of Colorado won the Women's Upper Category. In the Moving Step division it was once again Diana Frost of Oklahoma who walked away with the Gold. Farhad Kahn came all the way from Australia, and went home with a Gold in the Men's Lightweight divisions for both Restricted and Moving Step. In the Middle Weight division Rong-Huei Wu of Maryland won in Restricted Step, and Paul Mahoney of New York in Moving Step. Scott Free took the honors for both Restricted and Moving Step in the heavy weight division. The Gold in Super Heavyweight Restricted Step went to Frank Bruno of New Jersey, with the Moving Step honors going to Robert Ruby of Virginia.

With a superb staff and great organization this tournament actually finished a couple of hours early. Early? A tournament? Yes, that's right, and I have to say that in my years of judging this was the most relaxed, comfortable, calm tournament I've ever had the pleasure to assist with. This gave us plenty of time to give the competitors feedback, and gave the competitors ample opportunity to interact with each other - in short, for all of us to enjoy ourselves and expand our knowledge along the way.

"I'm pleased that so many people make this tournament their main priority for the year," Pat Rice said. "Thanks to a great group of officials, judges, and staff AToC had another successful tournament. One competitor, who has competed in other sports for a long time, told me that this was the most fun he'd ever had at any athletic event. A lot of folks worked hard to make this come off."

Good friends, great competition, a wonderful demonstration on Saturday, terrific seminars - oh, and let's not forget the ample time to socialize and partake of the hospitality in Winchester. Add to the mix air conditioning, and I can't think of a better way to spend the Fourth of July each year! The 2001 edition begins with seminars on July 3rd, and the competition on July 7th and 8th. I hope to see you there!

About Betsy Chapman:
Betsy Chapman is the owner and Chief Instructor at The Open Door Chinese Martial Arts Center in Douglassville, PA. She is a student of Peter Warr. She can be reached at opendoorfitness@yahoo.com or via www.opendoorfitness.com.