On August 13, 2026, the preliminary competition of the 9th NTD World Chinese Traditional Martial Arts Competition was held in Manhattan, New York. The competition featured 106 matches in various categories including youth boxing, youth equipment, women’s boxing, men’s boxing, women’s equipment, and men’s equipment.
During the competition, parents accompanying the young participants emphasized that learning traditional martial arts is not just about physical fitness, but also about instilling an understanding of Chinese traditional culture and nurturing good character in children.
The father of a youth boxing competitor, Dong Jiesen, recalled how their family was inspired to enroll their child in martial arts training after witnessing a traditional martial arts demonstration by a skilled instructor a few years ago. He noticed a significant improvement in his child’s physical condition and mental focus over the past two years. According to him, practicing martial arts has made his child more energetic and disciplined.
He believes that children growing up overseas may not fully grasp Chinese culture and hopes that through martial arts practice, his child can appreciate the essence of Chinese culture.
Dong Jiesen’s mother expressed that children are naturally playful and learning any skill requires continuous support and encouragement from parents. She emphasized the importance of guiding and motivating children, even if their future paths may not necessarily involve martial arts, to expose them to Chinese traditional culture.
A father surnamed Shen from the Washington D.C. area brought his family of five to support his son Lucas participating in the youth category of the competition. He highlighted the numerous benefits of martial arts training, including boosting his child’s confidence and focus without hindering academic performance. He stressed that martial arts not only enhances physical fitness but also serves as a means of cultural inheritance.
Two brothers from California, accompanied by their parents, traveled to New York to participate in the NTD competition. The mother, Tiffany, mentioned that despite the short duration of their children’s traditional martial arts training, they showed rapid progress. Encouraged by their teachers, both children participated in the competition.
Tiffany appreciates the mental training traditional martial arts provide, emphasizing that it not only enhances physical abilities and flexibility but also nurtures concentration and a calm mindset.
She often reminds her children that martial arts is about overcoming oneself rather than defeating others, encouraging them to focus on self-improvement and personal growth. She sees martial arts as a way for children to remain composed in challenging situations.
Although her children did not perform their best in the competition, Tiffany reassured them that it is normal to feel nervous during such events. She views competitions as valuable learning opportunities rather than mere contests for victory, promoting self-growth and development over chasing accolades.