Wushu shoot out in Ft. Meade.
Earlier than most usually leave for work, around 7:30, a number of USWA people were on the road to Ft. Meade Middle school in Maryland. A new tournament, only in it's second year had a nice showing of contemporary wushu and taiji. Traditionally this tournament was a traditional event, being run by a traditionally traditional school, Dahle Kung Fu. The event was opened up with a moving America the beautiful trumpet solo followed by an energetic lion dance. After the opening demos the competition was quickly called into motion, running smoothly with little wait for the competitors. From what I understand the Taiji ring ran a little slow, but, really, what can you expect?
The wushu competition was higher than expected from such a traditional event, every one had to get out there and work for their score. The wushu ring was run under the guidance of head judge Ji Yin Er, direct from china. She kept things running smoothly and quickly, the only delay was when they took a break for lunch, which gave us competitors a great chance to warm up and review our routines. Things were kept rolling through to the end, and when the scores were totaled up Ted Fu, with his clean southern styling came out on top with the Wushu Grand Champion.
The taiji competition showed off a wide variety of styles and interpretations,
both from beginners and veterans alike. Yang, Wu, and Chen Taiji events were
followed by Xing Yi and Ba Gua forms, with many of the competitors demostrating
their skill in multiple styles. To accomodate the diversity of interpretations
present, the competitors were told judging was to be based on the principles
of Taiji as expressed by the Taiji Classics. While the Taiji judges were very
conservative in handing out high scores when compared to the Wushu judges, it
was a good reminder to us all that we will never truly master the art of Taiji,
but rather we should aspire to constantly refine ourselves.
USWA's Results
Taiji:
Tom Crider:
Beginner Chen Style Men and Women 6.7 -- Gold
Alexandr Smirnov:
Beginner Chen Style Men and Women 6.683 -- Silver
Beginner Yang Style Men and Women 6.69
Beginner (Taiji Sword) Men and Women 6.64 -- Silver
Beginner Men <160 Pounds (Push Hands) 2-1 -- Gold
Intermediate Men Southern (Kung Fu) 7.6
Cynthia Simmons:
Advanced Chen Style Women 8.566 -- Gold
Thomas Anderson:
Advanced Yang Style Men 8.53
Advanced Men (Taiji) Sword 8.561 -- Silver
Beginner Men >185 Pounds (Push Hands) 4th
Michael Mendelson:
Advanced Chen Style Men 8.523 -- Silver
Dee Butler:
Advanced Yang Style Women 8.366 -- Bronze
Peter Peterson:
Advanced Yang Style Men 8.575 -- Gold
Advanced Chen Style Men 8.80 -- Gold
Advanced Men (Taiji) Sword 8.716 -- Gold
Internal Division Advanced Grand Champion
Wushu:
Rene Angel:
Advanced Men Chang Quan 9.78 -- Bronze
Advanced Men Long 9.71
Advanced Men Short 9.62
Michael Mosley:
Advanced Men Chang Quan 9.7 -- 5th
Advanced Men Long 9.42 (broken staff)
Advanced Men Short 9.6
Betty Chang:
Advanced Girls and Boys 13-17 Chang Quan8.55 -- 4th
Advanced Girls and Boys 13-17 Long 8.55 (Tied for gold w/ Camron)
-- Silver
Advanced Girls and Boys 13-17 Short8.44 -- Gold
Cameron Mozafari:
Advanced Girls and Boys 13-17 Chang Quan 8.69 (+.03 for difficulty)
-- Silver
Advanced Girls and Boys 13-17 Long 8.55 -- Gold
Advanced Girls and Boys 13-17 Short 8.33 -- Silver
Keye Chang:
Beginner Men Long 6.31 -- Silver
Beginner Men Short 6.72 -- Gold
Christopher Sexton:
Advanced Men Chang Quan 9.8 -- Silver
Advanced Men Long 9.82 (tied for silver w/ Jason) -- Bronze
Advanced Men Short 9.6
Total Competition Medal Counts:
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