Cheng Tin Hung

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.

This is a Chinese name; the family name is Zheng.

鄭天熊 Cheng Tin Hung
Born	1930 (1930) Hong Kong, China
Died	7 May 2005 (aged 74–75)
Nationality	Chinese
Style	Founder of Wudang taijiquan
Notable students	Cheng Kam Yan (鄭鑑恩)

Cheng Tin Hung
Chinese	鄭天熊
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Zhèng Tiānxióng

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 wife Chan Lai Ping(陳麗平).

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.
• This lineage tree is based on the refuted testimony of a single source named Tang Hao, whose contention that Taijiquan begins in Chen Village (and therefore implies a "Chen Style" prior to a "Yang Style" is an assertion based on opinion and not demonstrable in fact.)

Key:

NEIJIA

Solid lines

Direct teacher-student.

Dot lines

Partial influence /taught informally /limited time.

TAIJIQUAN

Dash lines

Individual(s) omitted.

Dash cross

Branch continues.

CHEN-STYLE

Zhaobao-style

YANG-STYLE

(王蘭亭) Wang Lanting 1840–? 2nd gen. Yang

(杨健侯) Yang Jianhou 1839–1917 2nd gen. Yang 2nd gen. Yangjia Michuan

(杨班侯) Yang Banhou 1837–1892 2nd gen. Yang 2nd gen. Guang Ping Yang Yang Small Frame

WU (HAO)-STYLE

Zhaobao He-style

Li-style

(杨少侯) Yang Shaohou 1862–1930 3rd gen. Yang Yang Small Frame

(吴全佑) Wu Quanyou 1834–1902 1st gen. Wu

(齊閣臣) Qi Gechen 2nd gen. Wu

(夏公甫) Xia Gongfu 2nd gen. Wu

(吴鉴泉) Wu Jianquan 1870–1942 2nd gen. Wu WU-STYLE 108 Form

(常遠亭) Chang Yuanting 1860–1918 2nd gen. Wu

(郭松亭) Guo Songting 2nd gen. Wu

(王茂齋) Wang Maozhai 1862–1940 2nd gen. Wu

SUN-STYLE

(董英杰) Dong Yingjie 1891–1960 4th gen. Yang

(齊敏軒) Qi Minxuan 3rd gen. Wu

(鄭榮光) Cheng Wing Kwong 1903–1967 3rd gen. Wu

(吴英华) Wu Yinghua 1907–1997 3rd gen. Wu

(吴公儀) Wu Gongyi 1900–1970 3rd gen. Wu

(吴公藻) Wu Gongzao 1903–1983 3rd gen. Wu

(马岳梁) Ma Yueliang 1901–1998 3rd gen. Wu

(杨禹廷) Yang Yuting 1887–1982 3rd gen. Wu

(鄭天熊) Zheng Tianxiong 1930–2005 Wudang-style

(吴大揆) Wu Dakui 1923–1972 4th gen. Wu

(吴雁霞) Wu Yanxia 1930–2001 4th gen. Wu

(吴大新) Wu Daxin 1933–2005 4th gen. Wu

Li Liqun 1924–2013 4th gen. Wu

(王培生) Wang Peisheng 1919–2004 4th gen. Wu

(吴光宇) Wu Guangyu 1946–Present 5th gen. Wu

(骆舒焕) Luo Shuhuan 1935–1987 5th gen. Wu

CHEN-STYLE

YANG-STYLE

WU-STYLE

SUN-STYLE

WU (HAO)-STYLE

Notes

References

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