SPECIAL EVENTS/ CLOSINGS
USKSF National Qualifier Championships to World Championships, July 26-27 Marriott Bethesda MD https://usksf.org/tournament/
Punch Hands Workshop, taught by Master Christophe Clark, Thursday July 31 at Hyattsville MD location- Canceled and will be rescheduled – future date to be announced
Capitol Classics / China Open Tournament- Saturday August 2, 2025 Gaylord Hotel, National Harbor https://uscapitolclassics.com/schedule/
US Challenge Championships August 9th and 10th, 2025 in Lanham, MD. https://uswushuacademy.com/index.php/en-us/
USKSF National Qualifier Championships
This annual, locally held National Level event took place on July 26-27 at the Marriott Bethesda MD Hotel. This year the top finishers in the advanced divisions qualify to compete at the USKSF World tournament to be held in Sao Paolo, Brazil in October of this year.
This Bethesda tournament showcased all levels of many external and internal events. We here at WST have participated here since the late 1980’s with many championships won by our students over the years. We’ve had world champions and over 60+ National Championship Gold medalists during those years up to the present. The tournament was a fun way for spectators to see a wide selection of martial arts as well as to meet and continue friendships throughout the weekend.
Wu Shen Tao Tournament results:
Michael Daryabeygi:
Silver - Adv Yang Form, Men
Silver - Moving Push Hands, 180-200 lbs
Silver - Restricted Push Hands, 180-200 lbs
Kristen Fang:
Gold in Cheng Man Ching style Tai Chi empty hands.
Silver in restricted steps PHs in 120-140 lbs weight group
Alex Zito:
Bronze in Xing Yi form,
Bronze in Yang form,
Gold in push hands 160 lbs and below- both moving and restricted step
Erik Dubois:
Tai chi other weapon form: Gold
Silver in Restricted step push 160-180 lbs
Bronze in Freestyle push hands 160-180 lbs
Kenny Chrzanowski:
4th Yang TC (first Yang style competion)
Michael Kascic-Ramos:
Gold intermediate full contact short weapon
Gold 160-180 moving PHs
Gold 160-180 lbs restricted step push hands
Siver 180-200 lbs moving step Push Hands
Bronze 180-200 lbs restricted step PHs
4th 200+lbs - moving step PHs
Toba Adewusi:
Gold in Tai Chi -other form
Gold in PH Limited step 160-180 lbs
Gold in PH Moving both at160-180 &200+lbs
Silver in PH Limited step 200+ lbs
WST took 23 medals in the internal divisions. We congratulate the WST team for their hard work, perseverence, good humor and sportsman like behavior.
Team member Kenny Chrzanowski and his Yang form medal was absent from this picture
CAPITOL CLASSIC/ CHINA OPEN
On Saturday August 2, 2025 the US Capitol Classics/ China Open tournament will once again take place. It is most known as a national circuit event for the NASKA Karate league but a portion of the tournament venue is set aside to run their China Open event which focuses on Chinese martial arts (Saturday only). It is held at the spacious Gaylord Resort and Hotel complex at the National Harbor, MD. Paul acted as Chief Judge for internal events last year but will be out of the country and will miss August 2025 tournaments this year. This would be considered a better competition for newer competitors or for those who may perform enough events to go for the Grand Champion cash awards. This tournament competes in empty hand, weapons, and some point fighting events. They do not offer push hands or Sword Sparring at this event. https://uscapitolclassics.com/schedule/\
US CHALLENGE 2025 CHAMPIONSHIPS
This year’s US Challenge event will again take place in Lanham MD at the Washington Education Zone, Wagner Hall on August 9 & 10, 2025. This event has slowly been growing in participation as well as in divisions offered. Divisions include Traditional and Modern Wu Shu as well as in Internal empty and weapons forms. They started a foam sword fighting division last year which was fun and has good potential to become a larger event this year. The event is friendly and relaxed and will most likely evolve into one of the most exciting and varied tournaments of the tri-state area in time. https://uswushuacademy.com/index.php/en-us/
NEW DEVELOPMENTS
Kristin Fang is taking a chief organizational management role at WST and her duties include setting up administrative meetings, and addressing current and future plans to evolve the school. She will also handle correspondence with external martial art groups and organizations. She will also be instrumental in assisting with WST events such as the Fall Gathering / Cookout (September or early October), as well as being the contact person for ordering of uniforms and supplies. T shirts, Sweatshirts and Hoodies are available for ordering. (Persons wishing to order uniforms and equipment should speak with her directly or email her at kristenwufang@gmail.com). We welcome her to the Wu Shen Tao staff!!
On the last Saturday of each month beginning in September we will take the last few minutes of class time to have some of our more advanced members demonstrate forms and methods not seen unless one participates in tournaments. This should allow newer students to see where they should be moving toward in their learning process. Competition is not necessary but getting better is always the goal.
We also are putting out a call to all members to let us know if they are in contact with companies or organizations that may be able to sponsor or support our National Level competition team. This would assist team members to defray the costs of air fare and hotel expenses since we are invited to attend events all over the US as well as internationally. We truly appreciate your support. Without the students and allied members there would be no Wu Shen Tao. We have sought to produce high level practioners and teachers for the last 35 years and look forward to keeping that tradition alive and well for the next 35 years!
SHAOLIN KUNG FU
Wu Shen Tao offers training in traditional northern-style Chinese martial arts forms and techniques passed down through the Wudang lineage, as well as Tien Shan Pai and other Shaolin styles. Sessions include intense physical workouts which build strength, balance, mind/body coordination, and skills for self-defense. Training is tailored to each individual, so beginners of all ages are welcome. Classes are led by Lao Shr Jeff Bandy who has taught our Shaolin program for more than a decade. If you are interested, or have questions, please reach us via email, wstkungfu@outlook.com
Kids Kung Fu at Liz Lerman Dance Exchange in Takoma Park), Thursdays 4:45-5:45pm and Saturdays 11:45-12:45pm
Adult/Teen Kung Fu - Contact us for details at wstkungfu@outlook.com
HYATTSVILLE LOCATION
Our Adult classes have moved from Takoma Park 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.
Beginning at 12 noon, we begin the Xing-I Chuan / Bagua Zhang training, as well as our advanced practitioner / private training block which runs until 2 PM.
The address for the location is:
3811 Nicholson Street Hyattsville MD, 20782
QUOTES OF THE MONTH
For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end.
Great people do things before they are ready. They do things before they know they can do it. And by doing it, they’re proven right.
People always say that I didn’t give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn’t true. I was not tired physically … No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in.
