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Master
Wu Chuan Yau (1834-1902) founder of Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan was
a Manchurian member of the Imperial Guard in Beijing. He studied
Tai Chi Chuan under Master Yang Lu Chan, founder of Yang Style,
and his son, Yang Ban Hao. Master Wu Chuan Yau was taught the
complete system, nothing was held back; his area of specialisation
being neutralisation.
Second
generation Master Wu Chien
Chuan (1870-1942) was employed by the Ching Court in the Palace
Battalion of the Imperial Guard. After Emperor Puyi abdicated
from the Throne, Master Wu Chien Chuan was recommended by Chief
of General Staff, Yin Chuang, to President Li Yuan Hong. In 1914
he was appointed Military Instructor and Martial Arts Advisor
to the Eleventh Corps of the Presidential Body Guards. Master
Wu Chien Chuan did much to popularise Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan,
which is named after him. He was also an accomplished archer and
horseman. A very close relationship was maintained with the Yang
family and Wu Chien Chuan would often practice push hands with
Yang Cheng Fu. He modified his father’s form and created
many new ways of utilising the Form in a practical manner, including
the use of a narrow circle. Master Wu Chien Chuan established
the first Wu's Tai Chi Chuan Academy in Shanghai in 1935 and appointed
his son-in-law Master Ma Yueh Liang Vice President.
Third
generation Master Wu Kung Yi
(1900-1970) eldest son of Master Wu Chien Chuan did a great deal
to establish Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan in the Orient. In response
to a challenge about the credibility of Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan
as a fighting art, a famous fight took place in Macau on the17th
January 1954 between Wu Kung Yi, 53 years old at the time, and
30 year old Chan Hak Fu, a highly regarded exponent of White Crane,
a renowned external martial art. During the first round Wu Kung
Yi incapacitated Chan Hak Fu for some time with a nose bleed.
After the second round the judges were so afraid of what might
happen if the fight were allowed to continue, stopped it, declaring
neither side won, lost or drew. The validity of Wu Style, as a
martial art, was proven. All the proceeds from the fight went
to charity. Master Wu Kung
Cho (1903-1983) second son of Master Wu Chien Chuan was an
all-round expert in Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan. He was the author
of the classic ‘Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan’ (nicknamed
The Gold Book), which was first published in Chinese in 1935,
and again in 1980. It is due to be published in English for the
first time. Master Wu Ying
Hua (1907-1997) daughter of Master Wu Chien Chuan, started
to learn Tai Chi Chuan when she was 9 years and started teaching
at age 15 years. She was responsible for the reopening in the
late 1970’s of the Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan Academy in Shanghai.
She became Chief Instructor of the Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan section
of the Physical Education Palace in Shanghai.
Fourth
generation Master Wu Tai Kwei
(1923-1970) eldest son of Master Wu Kung Yi was a much respected
martial artist; he did a great deal to consolidate Wu Style Tai
Chi Chuan in the Orient, appearing regularly on television in
Hong Kong and Singapore. He was also responsible for introducing
Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan to Japan in the 1950’s. Master
Wu Tai Chi (1926-1993) second son of Master Wu Kung Yi, taught
Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan throughout SE Asia and established an academy
in Malaysia. He also started the Toronto Academy in 1975. In 1976
he returned to manage the Hong Kong Headquarters of Wu Style Tai
Chi Chuan. Responsibility for the running of the Toronto Academy
was taken on by Master (Eddie) Wu Kwong Yu. Master
Wu Yan Hsia (1930-2001) daughter of Master Wu Kung Yi dedicated
her life to teaching and promoting Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan, was
a specialist in the Wu Style Tai Chi Sword Form and became Chairman
of the Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan Academy Headquarters. Master
Wu Tai Sin (1933-2005) son of Master Wu Kung Cho. After the
charity fight between Wu Kung Yi and Chan Hak Fu in Macau in 1954,
Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan became very popular and Master Wu Tai Chi
and Master Wu Tai Sin were sent by Master Wu Kung Yi to establish
academies in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Manila. Master Wu Tai
Sin was a specialist in sabre training. He was Chairman of the
International Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan Federation and President
of Wu’s Tai Chi Chuan Academy Headquarters in Hong Kong.
Fifth
generation Master (Eddie) Wu
Kwong Yu (1946-), only son of Master Wu Tai Kwei, transferred
from Hong Kong to Canada in 1976 to take over the running of the
Toronto Academy, and promote Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan in North America.
Master (Eddie) Wu Kwong Yu is Gate-Keeper of Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan and is the Head of Wu Family Tai Chi Chuan.
He is Chairman and President of the International Wu Style
Tai Chi Chuan Federation and also holds positions in a number of influential Wushu organisations. He spends a considerable amount of time
travelling around the world promoting Wu Style, including Europe
and in particular, the UK. Following discussions with the Chinese authorities, he was instrumental
in gaining official approval of his Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan from the Chinese Wushu Association who set the Examination Criteria of the Chinese Wushu Duanwei System. He has further popularised Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan by making available high quality instructional DVD's and strenthening links with mainland China. Master Wu Hsia
Fung (1949-) daughter of Master Wu Tai Kwei introduced Wu
Style Tai Chi Chuan to Vietnam and received an award from the
Ching Wu Society for her endeavours. Master Wu Hsia Fung is Vice Chairman of Wu's Tai Chi Chuan Academy HQ in Hong Kong and also teaches at Wu's Tai Chi Chuan Academy in Toronto, Canada.
Sixth
generation Master (Austin) Wu Chung Him (1972-), eldest son of
Master (Eddie) Wu Kwong Yu, trains and teaches at the Toronto
Academy and is a member of the Academy Demonstration Team. Master
(Edward) Wu Chung Wei (1974-), second son of Master (Eddie) Wu
Kwong Yu, trains and instructs at the Toronto Academy and is part
of the Academy Demonstration Team.
Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan continues to grow
in popularity with many thousands of practitioners worldwide.
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