Cheng Tin Hung

Cheng Tin Hung or Zheng Tianxiong (1930–2005) was an influential tai chi master and the founder of "Wudang tai chi". He was based in Hong Kong, China, and sometimes attracted controversy for his attitude and approach to the teaching and practice of his martial art. Also known as the "Tai Chi Bodyguard" for his enthusiastic defence of tai chi as a martial art, he took part in full contact competitions as a young man and also trained some of his students to do the same during the 1960s, '70s and '80s.

Though closely associated with the Wu school of tai chi, he founded a separate organisation called the Hong Kong Tai Chi Association (香港太極總會) which is now run by his wife Chan Lai Ping (陳麗平).

Cheng Tin Hung produced a series of books and VCDs on the subject of tai chi and was also involved in the production of the 1974 Hong Kong movie called The Shadow Boxer (Shaw Brothers). He appears in the opening scenes and some of his techniques were also used in the fight scenes of the movie proper.

During the 1980s, Cheng Tin Hung travelled to the UK to promote tai chi. In collaboration with three of his students, Ian Cameron, Tong Chi Kin and Dan Docherty, he produced a joint publication called Wutan Tai Chi Chuan.

During the 1990s, Cheng Tin Hung's tai chi career slowly drew to a close with the onset of diabetes and its debilitating effects. Chen died in 2005.

Some career highlights of note

1950: Established the Cheng Tin Hung Tai Chi Academy in Hong Kong 1957: Won the Hong Kong Macau Taiwan boxing competition held in Taiwan 1972: Established the Hong Kong Tai Chi Association 1975: In conjunction with the Hong Kong government, established Taijiquan classes throughout Hong Kong 1980s: started construction of Tai Chi Heights, part retirement home and part Taijiquan resource centre in his hometown in Guangdong, China.

Tai chi lineage tree with Wu-style focus