Cheng Tin Hung

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Cheng Tin Hung or Zheng Tianxiong (1930–2005) was an influential taijiquan master and the founder of "Wudang taijiquan". 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 Taijiquan 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 taijiquan, he founded a separate organisation called the Hong Kong Tai Chi Association (香港太極總會) which is now run by his son Cheng Kam Yan (鄭鑑恩).

Cheng Tin Hung produced a series of books and VCDs on the subject of Taijiquan 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 within the fight scenes of the movie proper.

During the 1980s, Cheng Tin Hung travelled to the UK to promote Taijiquan with one of his students Dan Docherty, and also produced a joint publication with him called Wutan Tai Chi Chuan.

During the 1990s Cheng Tin Hung's taijiquan career slowly drew to a close with the onset of diabetes and its debilitating effects; he finally passed from this world 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.

T'ai chi ch'uan lineage tree with Wu-style focus

Note:

• This lineage tree is not comprehensive, but depicts those considered the 'gate-keepers' & most recognised individuals in each generation of Wu-style.
• Although many styles were passed down to respective descendants of the same family, the lineage focused on is that of the Wu style & not necessarily that of the family.

Notes

References

• Profile reference in Chinese
• Profile reference in English
• Movie reference on YouTube