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Make a Bigger Circle Dot Com This Houston Tournament was hosted by the Chen Tai Chi Federation ( http://www.usachentaichi.org/ ) and 2007 V-BLOG NEW! 2007 Pics Dear Master Gohring, Master Gohring: I had a great time at the US National Tournament in Houston and am honored to be one of the first to participate in this event. It has all the markings of another must-attend annual event!! It was a real learning experience for me. And I learned a LOT. What did I learn? I learned I have a lot more to learn! But I am really inspired to do exactly that... keep learning and improving my TaiChi skills. Inspiration came in several forms: First, I met an 84 year old man who blew out both knees 11 years ago and picked up Chen-style TaiChi afterwards to regain his mobility. Watching him move so easily and freely in his form was awe-inspiring. Then, at the opposite end, a 12 year old won 9 gold medals. It was so cool to watch him do his forms with so much grace, concentration and discipline. I wouldn't be surprised to see him at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 !! But I really learned the most during the push-hands competition. One push-hands competitor was a whole head taller and at least 50+ lbs bigger than me. Yet he was so limber and so flexible and playful; he could drop his center to the ground in a second and then gracefully come right back up without losing concentration or his balance. He absolutely used his big stature but not in an overbearing way, his attitude was always calm, playful and respectful. I really appreciated that. And so, I really felt how my opponents used my weight and my own attacks against me. I couldn't recover from my losses but then again there's always next year and the year after that and the year... Lastly, I really appreciated the opportunity to strengthen the connections with other Tai Chi styles, other students and masters from around the country and from within our own school. Special thanks to Mr. Spitka and Ms. Franklin for their insight and support during push hands! Thanks Master Gohring for your continuing support and inspiration towards self-improvement. In Sincere Appreciation and Gratitude, Dwight Flinkerbusch Master Gohring: The US National Tournament in Houston was a lot of fun; I enjoyed seeing some familiar faces from previous Taiji Legacy tournaments, as well as meeting some new folks. I saw some competitors who really inspired me with their skill, including some excellent demonstrations of both Yang style and Chen style. For me, every tournament is a learning experience; I get to see what I know, what I don't yet know, and what I want to learn. The smaller scale of this tournament meant that I spent less time waiting for my event, so I got to see more of the other competitors. I hope to return for next year's event, and I hope that many of our classmates can come as well! Sincerely, L. Franklin
Blog for 2006 National Martial Arts Tournament in Houston Texas:
In line ready to march with other internal judges.
Stella, one of Grandmaster Cheng Jin Cai's top students.
Grandmaster Cheng Jin Cai at Opening Ceremonies.
Sijie Patty Sun from Chin Woo in Dallas. She runs the show at the Taiji Legacy.
Dragon Dancing to scare away evil spirits.
Black Sash and CIT Mr. Kassens and his Mom and Grandmother at the Masters Demo.
Black Sash Mr. Guidry and Friend and Masters Demo.
Mr. Flinkerbusch and Master Gohring
Randy Li and Masters Demo
Master Ray Hildreth is a Certified Hung Gar Instructor under Grand Master Buck Sam Kong who is a third generation descendant of the Wong Fei Hung lineage. With over 37 years of Martial Arts experience, Master Hildreth, also, has a background in Choy Li Fut as well as select forms of the Chen, Yang and Wu Hao methods of Tai Chi Chuan, and holds a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate. In Hong Kong, on January 6, 2006, Sifu Hildreth was promoted to the rank of 8th Degree by the World Organization of Wushu & Kung Fu Masters. Sifu Hildreth has held the following positions: Oklahoma Chairman for the AAU Chinese Martial Arts Program, 1991-2002, Director of Region 8 for the AAU Chinese Martial Arts Program, 1991-1998, Senior Vice-President, Region 6, of the USAWKF, 1994-1995, National Chief Official for the AAU Chinese Martial Arts Program, 2000 -2002. Currently Sifu Hildreth serves a member of the Committee for the National Traditional Wushu Federation. Sifu Hildreth has received the following Recognitions and Awards: AAU Outstanding Service Award in 1992, World Karate Union Hall of Fame in 1998, Whirlwind Classic Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003, American Black Belt System Hall of Fame in 2004. Sifu Hildreth operates the Academy of Self-Defense in Tulsa, Oklahoma and has promoted the Annual Tulsa Chinese Martial Arts Championships for the last 16 years.
Sifu Glenn Guerin began his studies of Tai Chi, Pa Kua, and My Jhong Law Horn in 1979 and became an instructor under Master Johnny Lee in 1987. He became Chief instructor of the internal styles when Master Lee left Shreveport in 1991 and for My Jhong in 1998. A nationally ranked competitor from 1989 to 1994, he has since been an invited judge at regional, national, and international tournaments. He was also fortunate enough to have studied Tai Chi under Grandmaster Ma Yueh Liang in Shanghai, China.
Master George Ling Hu, Who was born in 1942 in Chung King China, Grew up in Taiwan Studying Kuo Shu with Master han Ching Tan, He studied Tai Chi Chuan with Master Wang Yen-nein and was appointed to the Tai Chi Chuan Association where he served on the research and teaching committees, He has studied Chinese Character System with Master Shoung Cheng Shun, Chi Kung with Master Kun Shen-the from ShangHai,Tai Chi with Master Shih Ming in the Purple Bamboo Park in Beijing, Shan Shie Style of Hsing I with master Wu Chao-shung and Sun Style Pa Kua and Hsing I with General Stewart Ho. In addition he is a member of Taiwan Yoga Association and has been a member of The Texas Acupuncture Association ,He has taught in the United States since 1969,He presented a seminar at eh Fetzer Institute and has appeared on the Baylor Medical Center Television Channel. Master hu currently lives and teaches Tai Chi Pa Kua, Hsing I ,Chi Kung and acupressure in Houston Texas.
Master Gohring with Katy Cheng (the daughter of Master Cheng Man Ching the father of Tai Chi in the US)
Judges Apreciation Banquet
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