Kung Fu Tai Chi January - February 2018

Welcome to our 16th Shaolin Special. It’s been a while. As a sworn Shaolin disciple, it feels like coming home. Our last Shaolin Special was our MAY+JUNE 2014 issue. We had planned one for 2015 right after the 4th Shaolin Cultural Festival, which was held right in our own backyard, here in San Francisco California. But controversial circumstances led to the main guest of honor, Venerable Abbot Shi Yongxin (释永信) cancelling his visit at the last minute. There was a nationwide corruption crackdown in China and all prominent leaders were examined. Once again, just like with all of the other misplaced accusations, the Abbot was exonerated, but the investigation stopped his trip and the Festival suffered for it. It’s sad when politics sully Shaolin. Many fantasize about Shaolin Temple, dreaming of an…

Wushu’s inclusion in the 29th Summer Universiade 2017, held in Taipei, Taiwan, is hopefully a sign of things to come for the sport. The Universiade is the largest multisport event in the world apart from the Olympic Games. Also known as the World University Games, the Universiade is overseen by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), not the IOC, and has been officially held since 1959, with a history of precursor events that goes back to 1923. Open to universityaged athletes, this year Taipei 2017 had participants from 144 countries competing in 21 sports and 272 events. When it was announced that Wushu was going to be one of those sports, people in the Wushu world started to buzz. Tiger Claw was proud to be a major sponsor of the 2017…

Huo Yuanjia’s Great Granddaughter Huo Jianhong The great great granddaughter of Huo Yunjia made quite an impression at China’s National Games. Huo Yuan was the pivotal martial arts master who inspired the Jingwu Athletic Association as well as many films such as Bruce Lee’s Fist of Fury (1972) and Jet Li’s Fearless (2006). Huo Jianhong is the granddaughter of Huo Dongge, Huo Yunjia’s second son, who immigrated to Indonesia in the 1920s. Huo Yuanjia forbade the rest of his family from practicing Kung Fu during the Cultural Revolution, so Huo Jinghong claims to be the only living descendant still carrying the family style. She is currently a sports teacher in Tianjin, and her team took gold in the qigong team event at the National Games. http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70457-Huo-Yuanjia-s-great Grandmaster Lam Sai Wing Reborn in 3D ©…

Ann Woo was the co-founder of Chinese Performing Arts of America (CPAA). CPAA was founded in 1991 with the mission of introducing Chinese culture as an integral part of American society through the performing arts, to promote multiculturalism through collaborations with arts organizations from other communities, and to promote global cultural exchange through international cultural events. Woo was a leader in the Silicon Valley Chinese community, promoting Chinese culture through art, music and dance programs, performances and events. This included Shaolin Kung Fu and Modern Wushu. She helped sponsor artists from mainland China to travel and perform in America, as well as supported some Chinese martial arts coaches who worked at CPAA’s 14,000-square-foot headquarters Arts and Culture Center in West San Jose, California. For many years, Ann supported the Tiger…

Sifu Tony Timmer, a true pioneer for Chinese martial arts in Denver, Colorado, passed on Sept. 5, 2017, on the Great Wall of China, a place in history where the spirit of legends dwell and live forever. How amazing that he passed on in such a meaningful way (as a true legend), dedicating his life to country, wife, family, and martial arts. Sifu Timmer was a very educated and spiritual person. In addition to his first language of English, he spoke Chinese, Korean, and Spanish fluently. He had a truly amazing and brilliant mind. His legacy will continue through his students. Those who truly loved him understand that he did not pass away, but only passed on through his teachings and example of life. Sifu Timmer left a treasure of martial…

Sifu Paul Fraga passed away on September 5, 2017, from a heart attack. He first became involved in the martial arts in the early 1970s and has students and friends around the world. Throughout his life he helped many, never asking anything in return. Sifu Paul began his training in Wing Chun in Brazil and then studied Northern Shaolin at the school of Chan Kwok Wai. While living in Brazil, he also studied Capoeira and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. Also a gymnast, he helped coach young athletes hoping to make the Olympics. But his love was traditional Chinese Kung Fu. Moving to New York, Sifu Paul studied Fu Jow Pai for 3 years. Then he moved to Florida where he performed regularly as part of a lion dance team and resumed training in Wing…