28 August 2006

Wang Yen-nien



Probably the most distinguished living martial artist. Here demonstrating old Yang style Roll-Back. JK studied with him in Taipei in early 1973 when Wang was 59. Video clips of Wang doing his Tai Chi Form are available here.

Wang studied Form (not pushing-hands) with Chang Chin-lin in the late 40's. Cheng Man-ching had studied pushing-hands with Chang in the 30's: he flew him to his home, paid him a small fortune, and worked exclusively and daily with the great man for over 8 months. Many believe it was this instruction, and the transmission received during it, that gave Cheng Man-ching his edge – he remained undefeated from 1936 until his death in 1975.

1 comment

Anonymous said...

Nice photo of Wang Yen-nien with Li Jinquan demonstrating Lie (not Lu/Roll-back.) Wang studied both Form (Yangjia Michuan Taijiquan) and Tuishou (Pushing Hands) with Zhang Qinlin.

Wang was one of the two students of Zhang Qinlin who did study both Form and Tuishou. The other was Su Qigeng, who died during the Battle of Taiyuan in 1949.

Thanks for putting up the photo and the link to a nice video clip.