Fang’s Students Go to Tai Chi World Cup

The Tai Chi Chuan World Federation World Cup Competition is fast approaching, and America’s Hometown Team is getting ready. Held October 18 and 19 in Taipei, Taiwan (the Republic of China), the World Cup will feature teams from over 20 countries. Three teams from the United States will attend, but only the one from Plymouth, Massachusetts, will enter contests for both individuals and synchronized groups.

Fang-Chih Lee coaches America’s Hometown Team whose members are students in the Tai Chi and Qi Gong with Fang Association. On September 6 they showcased their repertoire on the green in front of Plymouth’s historic 1820 courthouse. Some of Fang’s other students performed too. It was part of the downtown’s monthly First Saturday celebration.

The team includes Peter Trenouth, Don Teare, Reg Macamaux, Sherry Malone, Natalie Zammito, Kathy Powers, Nicole Duval, Betty Montanari, Jeanette Gould-Schmidt, Virginia Wilcox, and David Moore. Altogether, they have entered multiple events, as either individuals or groups. In addition, the entire team will perform a special demonstration during the World Cup’s opening ceremonies.

The noncontact events are divided into two main categories: Tai Chi Handset and Tai Chi Weapons, each with individual and group competitors. The full team will compete as a group in two of the many handset events: the 13-Form and the 37 Steps. Reg, Peter, Sherry, Kathy, Nicole, and Jeanette are entered in the 13-Form for individuals. Kathy, Natalie, Peter, Sherry, Reg, and Nicole are entered in the individual 37 Steps. Five judges are present for each performance. Their scoring determines the winners and final rankings. Although there are men’s and women’s divisions for individuals, there are no subdivisions based on age for any World Cup event. America’s Hometown Team’s members range in ages from 45 to 83.

Don, Nicole, Kathy, and Sherry are doing individual sword forms. Sherry will also be doing the double-sword event. Peter has entered the individual fan competition, and Natalie will compete in double-fan. Sherry, Nicole, Kathy, Natalie, and Peter will be in the group fan competition.

The preparation has been intense. The team is progressing on schedule, making sure every step and gesture is executed smoothly and precisely. Each form must finish within a designated time range.

Over the last ten years the World Federation has conducted this biannual competition. Its purpose is to celebrate and promote Tai Chi. The Federation is also showing the International Olympic Committee that strict standards can consistently be applied to both competitors and judges. Tai Chi’s history as a martial, performing, and healing art goes back three thousand years. Its practitioners live all over the world.