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ZHAO ZENGFU

PRESENTATION

Master Zhào Zëngfú was born in Xian, Shanxi province of China, in 1939. At the age of 16 he was choosed as disciple by master Zhèng Xï Jué (10th generation of Zhao Bao tai-chi chuan style) and became later his most outstanding student as well as the representative head of the style´s 11th generation.

Thus, he´s been practising Zhao Bao style tai-chi chuan for 50 years now and holds, as consequence, a deep knowledge of it. At present, he holds the 7th duan graduation in wu-shu.

Besides of being the style´s representative, he is also:

Vicepresident of the Zhao Bao style Central Headquarters.

Wu-shu´s International first category judge-referee.

Invited Teacher of the Wudang Shan Association (Wudang style Taiji quan (tai-chi chuan))

Honorary President and general adviser of the Zhao Bao Style Research Institute in the USA.

Honorary President and general adviser of the Association for the Promotion of Chinese-American Intercultural Exchange.

Permanent Honorary President of the Healthy Body Tai-chi Chuan Li Hua Asociation in Hong Kong.

President of the Zhao Bao Tai-chi Chuan Committee in Macao.

Membre of the first promotion of the Chinese Taiji Quan Friendship Society of Illustrious Masters.

He was given the "Taiji Quan Great Master Spetial Category" title in Yong Nian, by the members of the "Taiji Quan International Friendship Society Organizing Comitée" from China.

Zhao Zengfu (in red) practising tui-shou with his son.

From left to right.: Zhang Xiumu, Li De Yun (representative of Yang style´s 4th generation), Zhao Zengfu

The different arm Master Zhao Zeng Fu is a great master of qi-gong too. During his staying in the USA he helped in the cure of some students illnesses.

We can also say that he practises taoism. He can spend a long time in meditation (he once stayed in for three days). Practising the saber.

Master Zhao maneges the usual weapons of tai-chi chuan. Among this we would like to emphasize that the sword (jian) he uses weights 7 "jin" (equivalent to 3,5 kg). In addition to this he also maneges the following ones: (an image is worth more than a coarse translation)

BOOKS

"Large form of Zhao Bao Style Taiji Quan"

"Chinese Zhao BaoTaiji "

"Chinese Bagua Taiji Quan "

"Chinese style Taiji from Zhao Bao Tui-shou"

Within the series "Great Classic Masters of Taiji Quan", he was encharged with the writing of the book corresponding to the Zhao Bao style.This series includes the six main tai-chi chuan styles in China.

PERSONAL IMPRESSIONS AND ANECDOTES

Zhao Zengfu is a jolly man, he is dinamic and open minded and supports the idea that tai-chi chuan should be divulgated without secrets.

He was once invited by the Chinese Army to teach soldiers that had already taken special fighting-training. When they got in front of Zhao Zengfu, there was none who could defeat him.

I also remember when he told, kidding, that a much bigger man than him who was black belt, in the USA, didn´t beleave that defeating anyone using such a soft "marcial art" could be possible and so asked for a try. Zhao Zengfu put him down rideaway, and so this man, with long rasta dreadlocks, finally became master Zhao´s tai-chi chuan student. You can see them both in the picture that I took from one of Zhao´s books: (sorry if it´s not that good)

China 2001, This meeting gathered the highest representatives of the 6 estyles (you can see, por example: Chen Zheng Lei, Fu Sheng Yuan, Sun Jian Yun...). Zhao is the second one on the first row, from the left side, in black. (Click on the picture to see it enlarged)

The last one on the right side. To his left, his master, his master´s master, etc.

(Translation Spanish to English: Mikel Pikabea)