On September 2nd, the 8th World Traditional Chinese Martial Arts Competition organized by New Tang Dynasty Television concluded with a grand awards ceremony in New Jersey.
The total coach of the United States Victory International Kung Fu Academy from California, Master Meng Quansheng, brought 15 students to participate in the competition this year. Master Meng, who was previously a martial arts instructor in Hollywood and runs a martial arts school in California, expressed his strong support for this grand event focusing on Chinese traditional martial arts.
He emphasized the value of promoting traditional martial arts through competitions, stating that traditional martial arts carry valuable philosophical and heritage values. While modern martial arts may be more visually appealing, Master Meng believes that traditional martial arts truly excel in self-defense and physical fitness. He hopes his students can learn authentic martial arts here and lead healthier lives by practicing martial arts instead of getting addicted to mobile games.
Among the 15 competitors led by Master Meng were his children, Elina Meng and Stanley Meng. Both siblings won bronze medals in Southern Boxing at the competition, marking their second participation in the New Tang Dynasty Traditional Martial Arts Competition.
Elina mentioned feeling more confident this time, compared to their first participation when they were unfamiliar with the rules and procedures, and she was a bit nervous. She valued the opportunity to compete as a team for the learning experience it offered.
Elina was impressed by the speech given by Mr. Li Youfu, the chief judge of the competition. His words after the 2022 competition had a calming effect on the participants, reminding them not to overly focus on results but to enjoy the process and gain interesting experiences.
She stressed the importance of laying a solid foundation in martial arts for young enthusiasts, as each movement in traditional martial arts carries meaning and purpose. She encouraged them not to give up and to persevere.
Elina appreciated the platform provided by New Tang Dynasty Television for promoting traditional martial arts, citing the organizers’ motivational words that inspire participants to strive for the preservation of tradition.
Stanley Meng shared in an interview that each round of the competition boosted his confidence in his performance. He highlighted the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and emotional control during competitions as they directly influence the quality of practice and performance outcomes.
The aim of the “New Tang Dynasty World Traditional Chinese Martial Arts Competition” is to inherit and promote the spirit of traditional martial arts, promote martial virtues, and revive Chinese divine culture. The chairman of the competition judges, Mr. Li Youfu, repeatedly emphasized the importance of “martial virtues” for practitioners, emphasizing its pivotal role in martial arts.
Stanley acknowledged his evolving understanding of the depth of “martial virtues,” noting that training with the right mindset can lead to personal growth. He viewed martial arts not just as a sport but as a way of life that shapes one’s confidence, faith, and self-esteem, ultimately making individuals better.
He believed that “martial virtues” contribute to shaping one’s character and hoped to inspire young people aspiring to excel in martial arts to embrace the challenges and dedicate themselves to learning, as nothing worthwhile comes easy.