SPECIAL EVENTS/ CLOSINGS
Capitol Classics/ China Open tournament August 2-3, Gaylord Hotel, National Harbor
US Challenge Tournament, August 10 & 11, in Lanham MD
US KUOSHU FEDERATION CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024
On July 13-14, 2024, the US Kuoshu Federation hosted its annual championships at the North Bethesda Marriott in Rockville MD. The venue was large and luxureous as was the hotel itself. The new location saw a few technical / computer issues but despite a late start it was on shecdule by the evening show. The event featured hard style Kung Fu hand and weapons forms, sword sparring, light contact sparring, Full Contact Lei Tai fighting, all the internal styles as well as push hands and Wing Chun Chi Sao. Our Team consisted of Kenny Chrzanowski, Kristen Fang, Alex Zito, Toba Adewusi, Erick Dubois, Michael Daryabeygi, and Michael-Kascic Ramos. All team members medaled in various form, weapons and push hands divisions.
Notably, we took 3 out of 4 medals in Yang Tai Chi empty hand (Michael Darabeygi -1st, Toba Adewusi 2nd and Alex Zito 4th); Ist in Tai Chi Sabre (Erik Dubois). We swept Light Heavy weight restricted step push hands ( Erik-1st, Alex -2nd and Michael D -3rd). Toba Adewusi earned 1st in the middle weight Moving push hands as did Michael Kascic-Ramos in his moving and restricted step divisions. They also medaled going up in weight to challenge the Super heavyweight Moving Step competitors. Kristen Fang earned a Silver medal in CMC Tai Chi empty hand form in her first major tornament. Stephen Genus, our perennial Gold medalist, served as team manager making sure everyone was where they needed to be and interceded with the Chief judge during a scoring mix up. Paul Ramos and his Kung Fu brothers George Harris and Alexander King all participated as judges.
Overall the event went well with a moderate to high level of competitors and a good organizing and judging staff. We look forward to bringing another team next year to continue sharing our martial skills with the community and challenging ourselves to become better and better with time.
UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS
Paul Ramos will be Judging at the last 2 listed events within the tri-state area. The first is the China Open, a subdivision of the NASKA A rated Capitol Classics event which has been a regular event for about 40 years. Paul will Chief Judge the Tai Chi Divisions and any other internal events as needed. It will take place at the Gaylord Hotel and Resort at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill MD.
He will also judge at Sifu Chris Pei’s US Challenge event in Lanham MD on August 10 and 11th. This event features traditional and modern Kung Fu empty hand and weapons forms as well as Swordfighting divisions. We hope to have a few competitors there to compete in Tai Chi and other internal events as well as in the Swordplay Divisons.
HYATTSVILLE LOCATION
Our Adult classes have moved to Hyattsville, MD. Our Community Tai Chi Push Hands gathering takes place there from 7:30-9:30 pm each Thursday evening. This free community gathering focuses on developing the skills of using the least amount of force to accomplish the maximum effect. This is known as the classic “Use softness to overcome hardness”.
On Saturdays from 10 am-11am we continue with our Tai Chi Form and basics class followed by Tai Chi Pushing Hands instruction at 11am. Begnning at 12 noon, we begin the Xing-I Chuan / Bagua Zhang training, as well as our advanced practitioner training block which runs until 2 PM.
The address for the location is:
3811 Nicholson Street
Hyattsville MD, 20782
Be aware that the space is on the right side of the residential building across the street from the Vanadu Museum.
Also be aware that the Children’s Kung Fu program will continue to take place at the Dance Exchange in Takoma Park on Saturdays from 12-1 PM.
WU SHEN TAO-CLEAR CIRCLE TRAINING CENTER, GAITHERSBURG
The Clear Circle Training Center located at 329 B Main Street, Gaithersburg MD continues to host private and semi-private instruction throughout the week in a variety of health and internal martial arts disciplines. Instruction in Qigong, Tai Chi, Xing-I, Bagua, weapons, and self-defense training are just a few of the options available there. Call Paul to discuss your needs and schedule availability by calling 301-651-3617 or by emailing to Longmen987@gmail.com. More information may be obtained on our website : DCMDTaichi.com
QUOTES OF THE MONTH
Change — real change — comes from the inside out.
Stephen Covey
He who has a why in life can tolerate almost any how.
Friedrich Nietzsche
Life engenders life. Energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich.
Sarah Bernhardt
