Fall 2002 Sponsorship Letter

                2002 was an exceptional year. Thanks to all of you for supporting me. In addition to studying with my coach, José Johnson, and his mentor, Nick Gracenin, I earned brown belt ranking from the Chinese Wushu Research Institute and placed well in three tournaments.

                At the 2002 Summer Bash in New York City, I won one gold and three silver medals and qualified for Nationals. At the 2002 U.S. International Kuoshu Championship Tournament I won a silver medal and two bronze medals, and at the U.S. National Chinese Martial Arts Championships I won five gold, one silver, and two bronze medals as well as the Men's All-Around Internal Champion title. After my performance at Nationals, I am now the number one ranked male taiji athlete in the United States.

What are Internal Martial Arts?

This year I was the Men's All-Around Internal Champion at U.S. Nationals. Internal is one of two broad categories commonly used to describe some styles of martial arts. Of course, the other category is external.

                Styles commonly classified as internal include taijiquan (tai chi), baguazhang, xingyiquan, liuhebafa, and bajiquan (all of which I practice except for liuhebafa). A few examples of external styles are Shaolin, Eagle Claw, Preying Mantis, and Hungar.

                I should first explain that this method of classification is very elementary and often the subject of debate among martial artists, but it is also the easiest and most widely accepted method of classification.

                The differences between internal and external styles are their training methods, means of generating power, and fighting strategies. In a fight, external styles rely heavily on speed and strength, whereas internal styles rely on calmness, precision, and redirection of the opponent's strength back against the opponent. External styles generate power from the limbs and muscular force. Internal styles seek to integrate the body, energy, mind, and spirit, so that a technique has the concentrated power of the entire person supporting it. Internal styles also use the waist and hips to generate almost all movement and power. The differences in training methods therefore reflect these differences in style. Internal styles also place a great emphasis on the development of internal strength or qi, and most training methods are directed toward this goal.

                Even with these differences, please understand that internal and external styles have much more in common than they do differences. All styles seek to improve the individual through rigorous training and discipline, and all teachers seek to raise the moral character of their students and cultivate peace and harmony.

U.S. National Championships

                The United States Wushu Union (USWU) held its first National Chinese Martial Arts Championships in Orlando, Florida over the Labor Day Weekend of 2002. The USWU brought together many of the key people who have organized the nation's most successful Chinese martial arts competitions over the past 20 years, and many of the athletes who attended were top competitors of national-level competitions in previous years. Competition for the All-Around Championships was close – most of the divisions came down to a few hundredths of a point or less. All-Around Champion titles were awarded to the top Men's and Women's competitors in the Contemporary External, Traditional External, and Internal divisions as well as Boys' and Girls' External divisions.

                I flew into Orlando the day before the tournament so that I would have time to check in, eat, and get a good night's rest before the tournament. My first meal at the hotel was exceptional. In anticipation of the competition I wanted to load up on carbohydrates and protein. Unfortunately, no dish on the menu had enough carbs. So, the chef made a special dish for me! It was a large plate piled with pasta and a salmon filet, all covered with a creamy sauce.

                After checking in and weighing in, I did sleep well, but the morning of the tournament I was nervous and able to eat only an orange and some yogurt. I arrived at the competition area more than an hour before the doors even opened, and I wasn't the only one. Other athletes were in the hall outside warming up and stretching as well. The atmosphere was a little tense. Everyone was focused on preparing for the competition. Once the competition began, it ran non-stop from 9:00 a.m. until about 6:00 p.m. I competed in 9 events throughout the weekend, so in addition to the usual rigors of competition the tournament became a test of endurance. Maintaining my edge and concentration necessary for performing so many routines became a greater and greater challenge as the weekend proceeded.

                 Most of the taolu (forms) divisions had finished by Saturday evening, and, after everyone broke for dinner and a short rest, the competition room was cleared for the Masters Demonstrations. The Demonstrations featured many of the top teachers and practitioners of Chinese martial arts in the U.S., representing more than 13 different styles of Chinese martial arts.

                Sunday, the organizers ran rings for the few remaining taolu events, technical fighting, push hands, and the Grand Champion run-off event.

                The Grand Champion run-off featured the winners of the adult all-around titles vying for the top prizes of Men's and Women's Grand Champion. I placed 3^rd in the Grand Champion run-off, and I was pleased with my performance. My score for the run-off division was slightly higher than my average score for the weekend, and I felt I had represented myself and my school well. My other awards for the weekend were gold medals in 24 taijiquan, Yang style taijiquan, Other style taijiquan, Taiji straightsword, and Other internal weapons. I also won the silver in 42 taijiquan and two bronze medals in push hands. As a result of my top ranking in the division, I won the Men's All-Around Internal Championship and number one ranking in the U.S.

                The tournament was held in the Marriott Orlando World Center, replete with restaurants, fitness centers, swimming pools, and hot tubs.  Sunday night, after the competition had ended, a few of us retired to the hot tubs. The hot soothing water was a great relief to muscles sore from two days of intense competition.

                The following morning, I boarded the plane for Pennsylvania. Coach ordered me to take 2 days off from training. So I did, and the Wednesday following the competition I began training again to prepare for next year.

2003 Events

Professor Li De Yin from Beijing will visit Pennsylvania sometime during the spring of 2003. Professor Li is the world's foremost authority on several of the taolu (forms) that I practice. Professor Li will teach barehand and fan technique as well as Wudang fencing to advanced students. The opportunity to study under Professor Li is priceless; therefore I plan to spend the week of his visit attending all of his classes.

I also plan to train with Sifu Bow Sim Mark. Sifu Bow Sim Mark was one of the first to teach Chinese martial arts to Americans in the 70's. She is recognized by most authorities on Chinese martial arts to be one of the most influential martial artists of the 20^th century. Sifu Mark will visit Pennsylvania during the fall of 2003.

As usual, Pat Rice of Winchester, VA will host A Taste of China, an annual series of seminars. The events include:

• Spring Weapons Seminar with Professor Li Deyin
• Essential Push Hands (taiji sparring training) Seminar with Coach Sam Masich
• Autumn Qigong Retreat with Master Liang Shouyu

Each event represents an opportunity to train with some of the top coaches in North America.

My tournament schedule for 2003 includes the Arnold Battle of Columbus Martial Arts World Games, U.S. Wushu Union East Coast Regionals, U.S. International Kuoshu Championship Tournament, and U.S. National Chinese Martial Arts Championships.

I feel as though I am approaching the next 12 months with a renewed sense of mission. I have received so much over the past year that I feel the responsibility of living up to those achievements. I have an entire year of tournaments to look forward to, as well the opportunity to train with legendary teachers like Professor Li De Yin and Sifu Bow Sim Mark. I hope the coming year will be even more remarkable than the past.

Thank you again for supporting me.

My sponsors for 2002 were:

Allegany Optical

Vincent Facchinei, O.D.

James and Margaret Smeltz

David P. Turchi, Esq.

Pierre B. Turchi, M.D.

Glen and Marian Weicksel