On the afternoon of August 12, 2026, prior to the opening of the 9th International Chinese Traditional Martial Arts Competition organized by NTD Television, 75 participants from 8 countries gathered in Manhattan, New York for a pre-competition briefing. They expressed their hopes of promoting the revival of Chinese traditional martial arts through exchanges and mutual learning.
The competition committee emphasized that in addition to showcasing traditional martial arts skills, participants are also expected to embody martial virtue. Through the exchange of martial arts skills, they aim to embody the principles of cultivating the self through martial arts and nurturing the heart through virtue, contributing to the revival of Chinese traditional martial arts.
Judges will focus on assessing whether participants possess traditional virtues such as prioritizing moral integrity, respecting teachers, being indifferent to fame and wealth, discerning between good and evil, and displaying moral conduct.
Lucy Zhou, the director of the competition, welcomed participants to the global capital, New York City, for the 9th International Chinese Traditional Martial Arts Competition hosted by NTD Television. She expressed pride in seeing martial arts experts coming together to work towards the inheritance and promotion of Chinese traditional martial arts.
Encouraging participants to view the competition as a valuable opportunity for mutual learning and improvement, Zhou wished the competitors outstanding results and a fruitful experience. She also hoped that participants from various countries would promote Chinese traditional martial arts in their regions and countries after the competition.
Two-time champion of the NTD Martial Arts Competition, Liu Dayan, shared that his participation aims to contribute to the revival of traditional martial arts and further enhance his own skills. He emphasized the unique and rewarding experience he gains from each competition, noting significant progress not only in technical proficiency but also in personal character and martial virtue.
For Liu Dayan, the revival of traditional martial arts and culture is a mission he feels driven to fulfill by supporting NTD’s competition. He believes in the transformative power of participating in such events and witnessing growth in himself and others.
Multiple-time participant from the United States, Antony Kwan, founder of the Victory Kung Fu Academy, highlighted the significance of the competition in providing a platform for martial arts enthusiasts worldwide to exchange knowledge and promote Chinese traditional martial arts. Despite a lower turnout of students this year due to scheduling conflicts, Kwan underscored the value of participating in such events for personal growth and character development.
Kwan expressed his hope that students would not only hone their martial arts skills but also cultivate moral integrity, promote the inheritance of Chinese traditional martial arts, and continually improve themselves throughout the process of learning martial arts.
Enthusiastic about her first competition, 11-year-old Taiwanese competitor Shi Yuxi emphasized the importance of martial virtue in her martial arts journey. Supported by her family, she acknowledged the discipline and moral values she has imbibed through her training, including the perseverance learned from overcoming setbacks.
Shi Yuxi’s passion for martial arts has inspired her mother to start learning Baguazhang, experiencing physical and mental improvements within a year. Recognizing the holistic benefits of traditional martial arts for both physical health and mental cultivation, her mother wholeheartedly supports her daughter’s martial arts pursuits.
Returning competitor and last year’s award winner from Germany, Ellen Opfermann, reiterated her commitment to showcasing and preserving traditional Chinese martial arts rather than focusing solely on winning accolades. She stressed the cultural and artistic richness of traditional martial arts, emphasizing the importance of practicing in authentic ways to cultivate lifelong benefits.
Opfermann aims to enlighten more women about the beauty of martial arts, dispelling stereotypes and highlighting the elegance and strength inherent in this discipline. She encouraged aspiring martial artists to embrace their interest and engage in learning through legitimate practices.
Joining the competition from Colombia, Govany from the “Xin Wu Men” Martial Arts Team expressed his reverence for traditional martial arts and his eagerness to observe and learn from the event. The 9th NTD International Chinese Traditional Martial Arts Competition will feature a total of 75 participants from 8 countries, including Canada, China, the United States, Germany, Taiwan, Colombia, Japan, and Vietnam.
Comprising 26 participants in the youth category, 24 in the women’s category, and 28 in the men’s category, contestants will compete in a total of 106 events, including individual categories like empty-hand forms and weapon forms for men and women, as well as youth categories for both forms and weapons.
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Competition Venue: The Allen-Stevenson School, 132 E. 78th Street, New York, NY 10075
Schedule:
– August 13, Thursday: Preliminary rounds
– August 14, Friday: Semi-finals
– August 15, Saturday: Finals and Award Ceremony
Livestream Schedule:
– August 14, Saturday 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM (EDT) Semi-finals (online)
– August 15, Sunday 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (EDT) Finals (online)
– August 15, Sunday 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM (EDT) Award Ceremony (online)