Cheng Tin Hung or Zheng Tianxiong (1930–2005) was an influential tai chi master and the founder of "Wudang tai chi". He was based in Hong Kong, China, and sometimes attracted controversy for his attitude and approach to the teaching and practice of his martial art. Also known as the "Tai Chi Bodyguard" for his enthusiastic defence of tai chi as a martial art, he took part in full contact competitions as a young man and also trained some of his students to do the same during the 1960s, '70s and '80s.
| Cheng Tin Hung 鄭天熊 | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1930 Hong Kong, China |
| Died | 7 May 2005 (aged 74–75) |
| Nationality | Chinese |
| Style | Founder of Wudang taijiquan |
| Notable students | Cheng Kam Yan (鄭鑑恩) |
| Cheng Tin Hung | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese | 鄭天熊 | ||||||
| |||||||
Though closely associated with the Wu school of tai chi, he founded a separate organisation called the Hong Kong Tai Chi Association (香港太極總會) which is now run by his wife Chan Lai Ping (陳麗平).
Cheng Tin Hung produced a series of books and VCDs on the subject of tai chi and was also involved in the production of the 1974 Hong Kong movie called The Shadow Boxer (Shaw Brothers). He appears in the opening scenes and some of his techniques were also used in the fight scenes of the movie proper.
During the 1980s, Cheng Tin Hung travelled to the UK to promote tai chi. In collaboration with three of his students, Ian Cameron, Tong Chi Kin and Dan Docherty, he produced a joint publication called Wutan Tai Chi Chuan.
During the 1990s, Cheng Tin Hung's tai chi career slowly drew to a close with the onset of diabetes and its debilitating effects. Chen died in 2005.
Some career highlights of note
edit- 1950: Established the Cheng Tin Hung Tai Chi Academy in Hong Kong
- 1957: Won the Hong Kong Macau Taiwan boxing competition held in Taiwan
- 1972: Established the Hong Kong Tai Chi Association
- 1975: In conjunction with the Hong Kong government, established Taijiquan classes throughout Hong Kong
- 1980s: started construction of Tai Chi Heights, part retirement home and part Taijiquan resource centre in his hometown in Guangdong, China.
Tai chi lineage tree with Wu-style focus
editNote:
- This lineage tree is not comprehensive, but depicts those considered the 'gate-keepers' & most recognized individuals in each generation of Wu-style.
- Although many styles were passed down to respective descendants of the same family, the lineage focused on is that of the Wu style & not necessarily that of the family.
| Key: | NEIJIA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Solid lines | Direct teacher-student. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dot lines | Partial influence /taught informally /limited time. | TAI CHI | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dash lines | Individual(s) omitted. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dash cross | Branch continues. | CHEN-STYLE | Zhaobao-style | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| YANG-STYLE | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (王蘭亭) Wang Lanting 1840–? 2nd gen. Yang | Yang Jianhou 1839–1917 2nd gen. Yang 2nd gen. Yangjia Michuan | Yang Banhou 1837–1892 2nd gen. Yang 2nd gen. Guang Ping Yang Yang Small Frame | WU (HAO)-STYLE | Zhaobao He-style | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Li-style | Yang Shao-hou 1862–1930 3rd gen. Yang Yang Small Frame | Wu Quanyou 1834–1902 1st gen. Wu | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (齊閣臣) Qi Gechen 2nd gen. Wu | (夏公甫) Xia Gongfu 2nd gen. Wu | Wu Jianquan 1870–1942 2nd gen. Wu WU-STYLE 108 Form | (常遠亭) Chang Yuanting 1860–1918 2nd gen. Wu | (郭松亭) Guo Songting 2nd gen. Wu | Wang Maozhai 1862–1940 2nd gen. Wu | SUN-STYLE | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dong Yingjie 1891–1960 4th gen. Yang | (齊敏軒) Qi Minxuan 3rd gen. Wu | Cheng Wing Kwong 1903–1967 3rd gen. Wu | Wu Yinghua 1907–1997 3rd gen. Wu | Wu Gongyi 1900–1970 3rd gen. Wu | Wu Kung-tsao 1903–1983 3rd gen. Wu | Ma Yueliang 1901–1998 3rd gen. Wu | Yang Yuting 1887–1982 3rd gen. Wu | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (鄭天熊) Cheng Tin Hung 1930–2005 Wudang-style | Wu Ta-k'uei 1923–1972 4th gen. Wu | Wu Yanxia 1930–2001 4th gen. Wu | Wu Daxin 1933–2005 4th gen. Wu | (立群) Li Liqun 1924–2013 4th gen. Wu | Wang Peisheng 1919–2004 4th gen. Wu | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wu Kuang-yu 1946–Present 5th gen. Wu | (骆舒焕) Luo Shuhuan 1935–1987 5th gen. Wu | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CHEN-STYLE | YANG-STYLE | WU-STYLE | SUN-STYLE | WU (HAO)-STYLE | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notes
editThis article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (April 2015) |
References
edit
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