We are heading towards the end of 2005 and still there are more exciting events for the Chinese Martial Arts Community in New Zealand.
Each year more and more people become interested in Tai Chi. The workshops we held in August provided Tai Chi students with a rare opportunity to train with an internationally respected Tai Chi Push Hands exponent. We were fortunate to have some financial support from the Asia:NZ Foundation.
The workshops were led by Master Huang Kang Hui, assistant professor at the Wushu Institute, Beijing University of Physical Education. Master Huang is currently head coach of the Tai Chi Chuan, sword and push hands competition teams. His students have performed with great distinction in numerous Chinese National Wushu championships. Master Huang has personally competed in eleven national Wushu tournaments and has earned eight gold medals. He has also published numerous books and videos on various aspects of Tai Chi Chuan.
The main purpose of this seminar was to promote and develop a Push Hands body to coordinate competitions and activities throughout New Zealand. All styles of Tai Chi Chuan are united in Push Hands.
The workshops included basic Push Hands techniques, including one hand skills, two hand skills, restricted step techniques and free sparring techniques, as well as standing solo training for Push Hands and an explanation of the rules and regulations for Push Hands competition.
Although workshops were originally planned for Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch only the North Island workshops could be held because of Master Huang's other commitments and limited time in New Zealand (12 days).
Wellington workshop – 25 people attended an 8-hour weekend workshop at Wellington School of Tai Chi Chuan in Lower Hutt
Auckland workshops – 19 people attended for 5 hours during the week and 14 people attended for 8 hours on the weekend. The workshops were held at the Onehunga Community Centre and Marcellin College Gymnasium.
On Master Huang's recommendation a group of people from different clubs has been formed to practice regularly once a month on a Sunday morning. The first practice will be on Sunday 25th September at 9:00am. From October practices will be held regularly on the third Sunday of each month. Please see www.1wushu.co.nz for venue details. The training will be conducted by Orlando Garcia (Director of the Wushu Culture Association), following Master Huang's system for Push Hands. During Master Huang's visit Orlando Garcia was accredited as a Judge for Push Hands competition in New Zealand.
From August 2006 the Wushu Culture Association will hold an annual Push Hands event in Auckland.
Again we wish to publicly thank Asia:NZ for their partial financial support of this very beneficial series of workshops.
The Chin Woo Athletic Association of New Zealand is running a Chinese Martial Arts Festival, including workshops, demonstrations and competitions. This is a two day event to be held on the 8th and 9th October 2005. For detailed information please visit their website www.chinwoo.org.nz
On Saturday 27th November 2005 the Wushu Culture Association is holding the Auckland Inter-Club Wushu Competition at Howick College from 2:00pm – 4:00pm. This event is open to all Chinese Martial Arts clubs in the Auckland region. Traditional and contemporary Martial Arts styles, weapons and pre-arranged set sparring are all eligible for entry, however there will be no Tai Chi Chuan.
Categories are: children – 12 and under, youth – 17 and under, and adults 18 and over. Categories are divided into male and female. Club registration forms can be downloaded from www.1wushu.co.nz. The deadline for registrations is the 25th November 2005.
The Wushu Culture Association offers workshops for any clubs interested in the development of modern Wushu competition forms, traditional styles such as Chen Style Tai Chi, Bagua, Xing Yi and the Shaolin styles of Jabbing Foot and/or Northern Eagle Claw as well as Sanshou training from beginners to competition level.
For general enquiries on Chinese Martial Arts activities in the Auckland region please contact us at [email protected]
