The 9th Global Chinese Traditional Martial Arts Competition held by NTD Television kicked off in grand style on the morning of August 13 in Manhattan, New York, USA. Sixty-four participants from 8 countries and regions showcased their superb martial arts skills and traditional virtues during the preliminary competition for the North American region, competing in 103 events.
In the preliminary competition held on Thursday, participants vied for a spot in the semi-finals in various categories such as men’s and women’s empty-hand forms, men’s and women’s weapons forms, as well as youth empty-hand and youth weapons forms. The winners will advance to the semi-finals. The Asia-Pacific regional preliminary competition took place earlier on May 24 in Taiwan, and the qualifiers will directly proceed to the semi-finals.
The competition featured a wide variety of traditional martial arts forms performed by the participants, including Lotus Fist, Drunken Fist, Eight Methods Fist, Five Hand Fist, Xingyi Fist, and overturn Fist, each with its own distinct characteristics. The weapons forms were equally spectacular, with a rotation of traditional martial arts weapons such as swords, sabers, whips, and staffs, showcasing the unique techniques of Chinese martial arts weaponry.
On the competition stage, participants executed flips, nimble movements, and jumps, moving like rolling waves, striking like lightning, with fists as dense as a sudden rainstorm, and techniques as sharp as a whip. The men displayed strong and fearless movements with agility, while the women demonstrated a balance of strength and grace, with elegant and flowing movements. Each participant showcased the beauty of the power, speed, and rhythm of traditional martial arts.
Here are some highlights of the preliminary competition for women’s empty-hand forms and weapons forms: