Eldest son of Grand Master Wu Tai Kwei, Head of the Wu Family and Gatekeeper of the Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan (The Fifth Generation Grand Master) (1946 - )

Being the fifth generation of the family, I learned and practised the art of Tai Chi Chuan from my grandfather Wu Kung Yi and my father Wu Tai Kwei at a very young age. On graduation in Hong Kong, I continued my higher education in England where I studied Aircraft Engineering. I returned to Hong Kong in 1969 to assist my father to teach at the Wu's Style Tai Chi Chuan Academy.

In 1975, I took over the operation of the Wu's Tai Chi Chuan Academy in Toronto where we recruited a large number of students. Some of my senior and distinguished disciples, under my guidance, have established branches in Europe and USA. There are now 12 branches all over the world.

At an invitation from North American hospitals, an academic research on using Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan as a form of therapy was developed with effective results endorsed by medical professionals. Research findings also showed that Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan is effective in preventing loss of balance among the seniors and in treating kidney problems.

In 1995, the International Wu's Tai Chi Chuan Federation was formally established. I assisted my aunt Wu Yan Hsia and uncle Wu Tai Sin to produce videotape demonstrations of Tai Chi Chuan, Sabre and Sword in Canada. In 1999, with the great support of my senior disciple in Canada Mr. Jonathan Krehm, an English version of the “Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan” (Golden Book) was published. All these efforts have helped spread and promote Wu's Tai Chi Chuan skills around the world.

In 2000, at the request of the then Gatekeeper Grand Master Wu Tai Sin, I returned to Hong Kong to assist running the Hong Kong Academy. Grand Master Wu Tai Sin passed away in 2005. I have taken up the position of Gatekeeper since then, leading the Wu's academies around the world. Over the years, I have been travelling throughout China, North America, Europe and Asia, faithfully and diligently promoting the authentic Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan. All this hard work has attained fruitful results, further enhancing the popularity of the Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan.

In 2005, at the invitation of the Chinese Wushu Association and the Wushu Research Institute of the General Administration of Sport of China, a series of educational DVDs “ The China's Wushu Collection - Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan” have been produced with the assistance of my sister Wu Hsia Fung and my son Wu Chung Him. The essence of Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan, Sabre, Sword and Pushing Hands is detailed in the comprehensive demonstrations. It is a show-case for Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan in China. In the same year, with the strong support of the then Chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Handicapped Youth Mr. Cheung Wai Leung (now the Chairman of the Hong Kong Society of Rehabilitation), Wu Style Seated Tai Chi Chuan was developed for the physically challenged persons, and my disciple Dr Ko Yu-chun has been playing a key role in promoting and teaching this particular form of Tai Chi Chuan. In 2008, Dr. Ko and the seated taichi students of the HK Federation of Handicapped Youth performed at the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games Equestrian Events with great success.

In 2009, at the invitation of the Chinese Wushu Association and the Wushu Research Institute of the General Administration of Sport of China, I was asked to devise the Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan Duanwei System Educational Series and to finalize the curriculum and evaluation criteria for various Duanwei levels. The training programme of the Hong Kong Academy's Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan practice has been used as the foundation of the Duanwei ranking system.

Since then, the number of students continue to grow in both Hong Kong and overseas. In Hong Kong, classes were given to organisations such as the University of Hong Kong, IBM and HK Fire Services Department.

In 2010, The Radio Television Hong Kong invited us to film Tai Chi Chuan in their “Kung Fu Quest” Series. Some of our veterans and distinguished practitioners including Sifu Chan Cheong Lap have taken part in the show. The episode has aroused a great deal of interest in Tai Chi Chuan, which has enhanced the fame of Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan in traditional martial art.

Our Academy, The Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan Headquarters, is flourishing, growing from strength to strength day by day. This would not have been made possible without the help of my younger sister Wu Hsia Fung (Vice Chairman) and my first disciple in Hong Kong, Mr. Eugene Heung Lap Chi. They have been helping me to train different levels of students and disciples. Mr Heung is also responsible for publishing the 108 Standard Form Manual, which has good illustrations and comprehensive explanations. It is regarded as the first stage in setting up a unified standard teaching programme. Mr. Eugene Heung Lap Chi also contributed much to the recent enchancements of the academy, in particular the development of a new spacious arena.

Commendation should also go to my other dedicated disciples, Chui Shing Yip, Chong Kit Leung, Yuen Wai Keung, Chan Wai Kit and Lo Suk Fan, who have put in a lot of efforts and time in training different levels of students.

Thanks to my ancestors who have laid down a solid foundation for the Academy development. While devoting all my efforts in promoting the family art of Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan, it is my belief that the essence of Chinese Martial Arts is more than an exercise to improve health. Neither is it only learning some techniques to subdue an opponent. The five martial virtues advocated by my ancestors should be emphasised, namely, Modesty, Kind-hearted, Respectful, Thrifty and Courtesy. As Gatekeeper, it is my responsibility to see that the martial virtues which have been embodied in our family art of Tai Chi Chuan should be maintained and observed. Promoting Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan is not an easy task, which entails perseverance, patience and hard working. It could not be accomplished by the efforts of any single individual. On the 75th anniversary to commemorate our accomplishments in the past years, I would like to take this opportunity to call on all Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan practitioners from all over the world, to work together diligently to promote the five virtues through the practice of Tai Chi Chuan.

Wu Kwong Yu
Gatekeeper, Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan
Chairman, Wu's Tai Chi Chuan Academy HQ

Gatekeeper Wu's Tai Chi Chuan
Chairman Wu's Tai Chi Chuan Academy Headquarters
Chairman International Wu's Tai Chi Chuan Federation
Traditional Wushu Advisor - Hong Kong Wushu Union
Chairman Wu's Tai Chi Chuan Academy (Toronto)
President Canadian Organization of Traditional Taiji Quan Association
International Affairs Chairman Wushu Ontario
International Affairs Chairman Confederation of Canadian Wushu Organizations
Member National Wushu Team Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee
Executive Editor (Wu's Tai Chi Chuan) Chinese Wushu Duan System Education Serie