FUQING, China, Aug. 13,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Embracing Chinese heritage
and promoting Shaolin culture through the art of Wing Chun, the
intermediate selection contest for the first-ever World Southern
Shaolin Wing Chun Competition recently kicked off worldwide.
Competitors from more than 30 countries and regions have vied for
170 spots in the World Finals.
The competition is overseen by the Chinese Wushu Association,
with extensive support from Huanqiu.com. It is jointly organized by
the Fuzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, the Fuzhou
Municipal Bureau of Sports, and the Fujian Province Wing Chun
Association. The Fuqing Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports and
Tourism, Fujian Traditional Wing Chun (Straits) Cultural
Development Center, and the Southern Shaolin Temple in Fuqing are
responsible for executing the event.
The Competition Attracts Global Participants, Showcasing
International Appeal of Chinese Martial Arts
This year's event, spanning Asia, Europe,
and the Americas, is held in three phases: the Primary Registration
and Selection, the Intermediate Selection Contest, and the World
Finals. The competition showcases a variety of Wing Chun skills,
including Siu Nim Tao, Seeking the
Bridge, and Thrusting Fingers. Competitors also battled in events
such as the 8 Slashing Sword, Six and Half Point Long Pole, Wooden
Dummy, and Chi Sao. With a total
prize pool of nearly 250,000 yuan,
the event offers awards in 43 different categories.
During the intermediate selection contest, numerous
internationally recognized Wing Chun masters were present to
observe and mentor the participants. Zujie
Zheng, a national figure in Wing Chun, along with
Shaorong Ye, Vice President of the
Fujian Province Wing Chun Association, led exchanges involving Wing
Chun culture across Europe, the
Americas, and Asia. Hong Hai, Director of the China Cultural Center
in Sofia, Bulgaria and Stanislav
Bagalev, founder of the Bulgarian branch of the European WingTsun
Organization, attended the local tournament. In Germany, Andreas
Ertl, Founder and Managing Director of the European Wing
Chun Association's Munich Academy, facilitated martial arts
collaborations with Chinese practitioners. In the Netherlands, Zheng
Wang, Director of the Chinese Cultural Center in
The Hague, alongside Erik Batstra and Robert
Vogel, instructors from the Wing-Chun Kung-Fu Association of
the Netherlands, were key
participants. Similarly, James
Javidan, President of the French
Shaolin Wing Chun Association, and Shisheng Xie, President of the French Chinese Wing Chun Association,
provided guidance in Paris. In
the United States, the tournament
saw notable attendees such as Benny
Meng, the National Director of the United States of America
Wushu Kungfu Federation and an 8-Dan Grand
Master certified by the International Wushu Federation,
alongside Chango Noaks, a 7th level Senior Instructor certified by
the Ving Tsun Athletic Association in Hong Kong and Vincent
Meng, a certified Pan-American Wing Chun and Sanda referee.
During the contest, Kent R. Kernspechts, founder of the European
WingTsun Organization and dubbed "the father of WingTsun in
Europe," extended his
congratulations. He remarked, "Chinese Kung Fu stems from Shaolin,
and Chinese Wing Chun originates from Fuqing Southern Shaolin
Temple, embodying the philosophical appeal of Zen and the spirit of
martial arts."
Zheng Zujie and Wing Chun practitioners from several countries,
engaged in cultural exchanges and discussions about Chinese martial
arts techniques. At several venues, Zheng shared insights on topics
such as "The Origin of Wing Chun - Fuqing
Southern Shaolin, China,"
"The Shouzhong Way: Passed Down Through Generations," and
"Martial Arts as a Form Celebrated
Worldwide." His presentations highlighted the cultural roots and
deeper meanings of Chinese Wing Chun, earning admiration from the
many martial artists and enthusiasts who attended the events.
Wing Chun Martial Artists Compete, Building Global
Friendships Through Martial Arts
Following the initial selection, nearly 1,000 contestants were
selected to participate in the intermediate contest, creating an
enthusiastic atmosphere at each competition site. Competitors,
ranging from teenagers to middle-aged individuals, engaged in group
duels, each aiming to secure their place in the World Finals.
Participants from multiple countries showcased their exceptional
skills in boxing, equipment handling, and hand-to-hand combat. The
audience expressed their enthusiasm for the competition to become
an annual event, providing a platform for more people to understand
and learn Wing Chun.
Stanislav Bagalev, who served as the referee for the Bulgarian
segment of the European competition, said in an interview: "It's an
honor for Bulgaria to host the
first stop of this intermediate contest. My visit to the Southern
Shaolin Temple in Fuqing, China,
in April for the launch ceremony was very impressive. I believe
this competition will not only elevate the skill level of Wing Chun
among participants from different countries but also enhance their
mutual friendships."
Participant Asen Asenov expressed
his excitement about visiting China, a dream realized through his engagement
with Chinese martial arts. "I've been involved with Chinese martial
arts for over 40 years, focusing exclusively on Wing Chun since
2006," Asenov shared. "Wing Chun is truly unique as it offers a
distinctive experience that gives me boundless strength and
confidence." Fourteen-year-old Nick
Rye, who has been practicing Chinese martial arts since he
was seven, also shared his thoughts with reporters: "Wing Chun has
greatly contributed to my growth, providing me with a healthy body,
a determined spirit, and a morally sound personality. I'm eager to
visit the Southern Shaolin Temple in Fuqing to observe my fellow
practitioners as they practice."
At the U.S. venue, Benny Meng
brought a group of nearly 15 children and teenagers to observe the
event. Over the years, Meng has devoted himself to the preservation
and advancement of Wing Chun. He established the United States Wing
Chun Museum and has focused on teaching Wing Chun and training
youth. Meng emphasizes the integration of Zen and boxing while
promoting a fun approach to learning, helping to spread Chinese
martial arts culture. "Learning Wing Chun is incredibly beneficial
for teenagers," Meng stated. "It aligns with the Chinese philosophy
of 'Unity of Heaven and humanity,' which not only enhances Wing
Chun techniques but also imparts significant life lessons."
Fuqing Southern Shaolin Temple: The Birthplace of Wing Chun,
A Signature of Chinese Kung Fu
Shaolin culture, with its global perspective and spiritual
values recognized universally, serves as a bridge connecting
Eastern and Western civilizations. Based on archaeological
excavations in the 1990s and numerous historical documents, the
Southern Shaolin Temple in Fuqing, established during the Tang
Dynasty's Zhenguan era, reached its zenith in the Song and Ming
Dynasties, and has been known historically for its profound
cultural heritage. Over thousands of years, the culture of the
temple has evolved and spread, giving rise to the Zen, martial
arts, and medical traditions that have exerted a broad and
far-reaching influence both domestically and internationally.
Wing Chun, a traditional southern Chinese martial art,
originated from the Fuqing Southern Shaolin Temple. Developed by
Wu Mei, inspired by a Zen Master
during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, the martial art has
since transcended its local roots. In 2014, Fuzhou's Wing Chun initiative gained
recognition as a representative project of China's national intangible cultural heritage,
showcasing its cultural significance. Deeply rooted in Chinese
traditional martial arts culture, Wing Chun has become a popular
and influential martial art worldwide.
Today, Wing Chun culture has spread globally, boasting over ten
million practitioners. Serving as a living embodiment of
outstanding Chinese heritage, it allows people worldwide to explore
and appreciate the depth and splendor of Chinese martial arts.
The inaugural World Southern Shaolin Wing Chun Competition is
more than just an international martial arts event; it provides a
platform for Wing Chun enthusiasts globally to demonstrate their
skills. By promoting the Southern Shaolin and Wing Chun cultures
globally, this event aims to foster the creation of a traditional
Chinese martial arts cultural IP. It also seeks to facilitate the
spread of exceptional traditional Chinese culture and bolster
international cultural exchanges and integration.
The global winners of the intermediate contest will gather at
the Southern Shaolin Temple in Fuqing for the world finals. This
event will not only showcase their skills but also foster
friendships, promote cultural exchanges, and enhance interpersonal
communications through martial arts.
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