Yang Zhenduo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 杨振铎 Yang Zhenduo
Yang-style taijiquan Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo performing Golden Rooster Stands On One Leg (右金鸡独立)
Born	1926 Beijing, China
Died	7 November 2020 (aged 94)
Style	Yang-style taijiquan
Notable students	Yang Jun (杨军)

Yang Zhenduo (born 1926 – died 2020) was a very important teacher of Taijiquan. He was born in Beijing, China. His family was famous for practicing martial arts. Yang Zhenduo was the son of Yang Cheng Fu. He was also the great-grandson of Yang Lu Chan. Yang Lu Chan created the Yang style of Taijiquan. This means Yang Zhenduo was a fourth-generation leader of the Yang Family Taijiquan style.

About Yang Zhenduo's Life

Early Training in Taijiquan

Yang Zhenduo started learning Taijiquan when he was just 6 years old. His father, Yang Cheng Fu, was his first teacher. After his father passed away, he continued to learn from his older brothers. These brothers were Yang Zhen Ming, Yang Zhen Ji, and his younger brother Yang Zhen Guo.

Yang Zhenduo was known for being a good student. He was patient and humble, just like his father. He became very skilled in martial arts. People who love Taijiquan all over the world admired him greatly.

Spreading Taijiquan Around the World

Yang Zhenduo worked hard to continue his family's goals. He spent his life helping to spread and make the Yang style of Taijiquan popular. He believed that teaching Taijiquan could help build friendships. This was true between people in China and those in other countries.

Since 1960, he lived in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China. There, he taught the main form of Yang-style Taijiquan. Many countries invited him to teach and hold workshops.

Leadership in Martial Arts Organizations

In 1980, Yang Zhenduo became the vice-president of the Shanxi Wushu Association. Wushu is a general term for Chinese martial arts.

In 1982, he started the Shanxi Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Association. He was its first president. Later, he became its honorary lifetime president. This group grew very large. It had over 30,000 members in Shanxi Province. It became the biggest martial arts group of its kind in China.

In 1998, Yang Zhenduo created the International Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Association. He was the chairman of its board. Under his leadership, this international group grew a lot. It now has 28 centers in 12 countries. It also has more than 2,000 members worldwide.

Awards and Recognition

Yang Zhenduo received many honors for his work. In 1996, the Chinese Wushu Academy named him one of the Top 100 Wushu Masters in China. This was a very special award.

That same year, the mayor of San Antonio, Texas, made him an Honorary Resident. In 1997, he received the Golden Key to the City of Troy, Michigan. These awards showed how much people respected him.

Yang Zhenduo also appeared on the covers of magazines like T'ai Chi Magazine. He wrote many articles and books about Taijiquan. He also made three full sets of videos to teach the art.

Passing on the Legacy

Yang Zhenduo continued to be the chairman of the International Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Association until he passed away. However, he stopped his regular teaching. He also stepped down as president of the association. He chose his grandson, Yang Jun, to be the new president. Yang Jun continues his important work.

In 2009, at a big Taijiquan meeting, Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo made an announcement. He said that Master Yang Jun was the fifth leader of the Traditional Yang-style Taijiquan. This meant Yang Jun would carry on the family's teaching.

Important Students

Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo had many students who became his official disciples. These people studied with him for many years. They also helped to teach and spread the Yang-style t'ai chi ch'uan. Some of his disciples included:

• Hu Buyun
• Yang Yongfen
• Guo Jiansheng
• Ge Jingang
• Xie Wende
• Wang Dexing
• Gao Junsheng
• Zhang Suzhen
• Yang Liru
• Miao Guangzhao
• Li Chunhou
• Sun Gangchen
• Cheng Xiangyun
• Yang Chunru
• Zhou Yazhen
• Lin Qiuya (from Malaysia)
• Wang Wen
• Zhang Guiying
• Hua Xiaolong
• Mei Mei Teo (from Sweden)
• Duan Yinglian
• Li Shoutang
• Li Xiuying
• Han Hoong Wang (from the USA)
• Yan Fengxiang
• Jia Chengping
• Li Qimei
• Qiao Rongjian
• Tian Xianwen
• Song Bin
• Geng Ying
• Yang Wenshen
• Luo Haiping
• Yao Junfang
• Wang Baixuan
• Jian Guiyan
• Liang Xiufang
• Niu Xinzhong
• Li Tiancai
• Andy Lee
• Bill Walsh
• Dave Barrett
• Frank Grothstruck
• Jean-Marc Geering
• Andre Leray

Learn More About Taijiquan

• 103-form Yang family tai chi chuan (This is the Long Form of the style)
• Two-person Pushing Hands (A partner exercise in Taijiquan)