National Martial Arts Academy

History of Wushu / NMAA
 

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  • History of Chinese Wushu

    China is well known as an ancient civilization with a well documented history dating back more than 4000 years. Wushu has played a significant part in the historical preservation of Chinese culture and heritage. Though it’s difficult to say when Wushu was created it is safe to say that there is a long evolutionary process that predates recorded Chinese history. Modern Wushu or Contemporary Wushu spans from generations of traditional Kung Fu practice. In the 20th century Wushu saw a major change in its emphasis and structure with communism and The Peoples Republic of China.

    In 1909 the Jin Wu Sports Association was founded in Shanghai and included gymnastics training as part of their curriculum. In 1927 the government in Nan Jing founded the Jung Yung (government Wushu School). Twenty Four provinces followed in this idea and soon 300 schools were operational. In 1936 the first Chinese Wushu Team went to Berlin for the 11th Olympic Games to do a demonstration (History of Wushu). In 1952 the first martial arts championship was held in Tianjin, demonstrating several routines; wrestling, and full contact sparring divisions. In 1953 the National Ethnic Minorities Traditional Sports Games was held in Tianjin and more than 300 Wushu demonstrations were the center of the games. The dominance of Wushu among all traditional sports motivated the Sport Commission to engage in a project to rescue this important cultural legacy according to the policy, “to make the past serve as the present”(mastering wushu 2007.) In 1954 the first China National Wushu Team was established at the Central Sports Institiute. In November 1974 the Beijing Wushu Team was founded with Head Coach Wu Bin and went on to dominate the wushu competition arena for decades to come. Many notable masters received their training from the Beijing Sports University; Li Lianjie (Jet Li), Li Jinheng, Yu Shaowen, Li Xia, Hao Zhihua, Zhuang Hui and many more. Through these steps Wushu was transformed into the national sport of China, resulting in Wushu schools being established throughout the land.

    Today in China, contemporary Wushu is the dominant martial art system, with all other systems considered a system of the past.

  • National Martial Arts Acadamy

    National Martial Arts Academy National Martial Arts Academy was founded in 1992 in Albuquerque New Mexico by Master Ho Young Pak. Master Ho Young Pak is a nationally ranked champion and actor/stuntman. His notable roll was as a stunt double for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Donatello and Star Warrior in WMAC Masters television series. In 1995 Grand Master Zhuang Hui had taken over as head master of the NMAA. Grand Master Zhuang Hui is a former member of the famous Beijing Wushu Team. She was able to capture many national championship titles including an all around title and is considered to be the best female wushu athlete of her time.

    In 2006 Master Jerry Silva opened the Aurora Colorado branch of the National Martial Arts Academy. Master Silva began competing in international and nationally sanctioned open tournaments around the world. In 1997 Shifu Silva captured three world titles and several National and International titles through the National Black Belt League (NBL), and Sport Karate International (SKI). In 1998 and 2001 Master Silva captured many championship titles through the NASKA open martial arts circuit. Master Silva has been training with Grand Master Zhuang Hui since 1998 and is still one of students.