The ninth NTD World Chinese Traditional Martial Arts Championship quarter-finals were held in a grand manner in Manhattan, New York on August 14th. Elite martial artists from around the world gathered together to showcase their skills in both fist techniques and weapon categories, demonstrating the beauty of traditional culture that harmonizes martial arts and martial virtues.
This tournament not only involves the competition of martial arts skills but also aims to promote traditional martial ethics and revive the essence of Chinese divine culture. While showcasing their prowess, the athletes also embody the spirit of humility and virtue through each move and technique.
The showcased martial arts styles and weapon forms were rich in variety and carried deep historical and cultural significance. For example, the Fanziquan style displayed agile body movements and swift punches; the Simei Saber, passed down from masters like Chen Shengfu and Wang Ziping, demonstrated simple yet powerful techniques; and the whip staff inherited from Monk Long of the Yuan Guo Temple in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties appeared as a plain wooden staff but actually incorporates the characteristics of multiple weapons.
The Lotus Fist emphasizes basic skills, the ancient and solemn Qimen Sword from Shandong exudes a sense of gravity, the elegant and graceful Xiaohua Fist, and the practical sparring and stick techniques derived from the Five Hand Fist practiced by the monks in Qilu Mountains are concise, ancient, and natural.
Here are some highlights of the spectacular performances by female competitors in both fist techniques and weapon categories during the quarter-finals.