The fifth International WuDang Tai Chi Tournament opened

The fifth International WuDang Tai Chi Tournament was opened at the Wudang International Martial Artist Communication Center on Wudang Mountain on Dec 29, 2011.

It took place under the guidance of the International Wushu Federation and Chinese Wushu Association. The host organizations include the Management Committee of Wudangshan Tourism Special Economic Zone, Wudang Martial Arts Association, and Wu Shu Bureau of Wu Dang Special Zone.

Chen Tianhui, Secretary of the Shiyan Municipal Committee, made a welcoming remark. Gao Xiaojun, Secretary of Chinese Wushu Association, and Tian Chengzhong, Vice governor of Hubei province, delivered speeches. Wang Jun, Vice president of Chinese Olympic Committee, declared the opening of the Tournament. Li Faping, President of Wudang Martial Arts Association, held the opening ceremony. Other leaders including Luo Xinhua, Chen Weiya, Hu Dechun, Dong Weimin, Chen Jiayi attended the opening ceremony. Chinese Taichi masters were also invited.

Chen Tianhui said that Wudang Mountain is named a world culture heritage site, the Taoist holy place of China, and a National 5A Scenery Site. On Wudang Mountain, one can view the Taichi Lake with a wide expanse of misty waters.. Taichi (or taijiquan), the great treasure of Chinese martial arts, began in Wudang Mountain and has witnessed the Chinese glory history for five thousand years.

“Wudang is the origin of Taichi all over the world”. The rich historical culture in Wudang, cultivated the immortal classics of “marvelous mountain, water, and humanities”. Now Wudang is striving for further development.

The tournament included artistic performances, competition events, and a lecture about Wudang martial arts, health preservation, and tourism experiences. The series gave viewers and athletes insight on Chinese Taichi and its traditional culture. The competition events were regulated with international standard of a traditional martial arts tournament. This included Chinese boxing, equipment, sparring, and group project. The nourishing life forms and internal stunt show were included for the first time.

Almost 12,000 athletes from 28 countries and regions (the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, German, Tanzania, Lebanon, Spain, Serbia, Australia, India, Canada, Iran, Singapore, Japan, Italy, China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Chinese Taipei) attended the tournament.