Passing of Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo
It is with profound sadness that we wish to inform you of the passing of Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo, the fourth generation descendant of Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan.
Obituary
The generational grandmaster of Yang family Tai Chi Quan, the third son of the grandmaster of Yang Chengfu, Chinese Wushu 9th Duan, Wu Lin Baijie, member of the first expert committee of the Wushu Academy of the State Sports General Administration, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International Yang family Tai Chi Chuan Association, The president of the Founding Association of Shanxi Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association, the honorary president of the Yang family Taijiquan Research Association of Shanxi Wushu Association, and the fourth-generation descendant of Yang FamilyTai Chi Chuan, Mr. Yang Zhenduo, passed away in the early morning of November 7, 2020, Beijing time, at the age of 95.
Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo was born in Beijing in 1926 and his ancestral home is Yanmenzhai, Yongnian County, Hebei. Since childhood, he inherited the family tradition under the guidance of his father and brothers from his young age. After the death of his father, he returned to Yongnian with his mother and worked hard for decades. His tai chi chuan style was chic and graceful, with vigorous strength and steadiness.
The master graduated from the seventh branch of the Huangpu Military Academy in his early years, and was transferred to the Shanxi Provincial Government in the 1960s to be responsible for the provincial leadership of fitness and health care. Since 1971, he has continually taught tai chi chuan free of charge in front of the Buddhist scripture building in Yingze Park of Taiyuan every Sunday for more than 40 years. Consequently, the Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan that was based in Taiyuan City, has spread across the province, and extended overseas. It became a highlight for Shanxi martial arts. In April 1982, the Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Research Association of Shanxi Province was established (later renamed as the Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association of Shanxi Province), and he was the founding president. In 1998, he supported his elder grandson Yang Jun to establish the International Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association and served as the chairman of the board of directors.
Since 1985, the master has traveled to dozens of countries and regions around the world to promote tai chi. In recognition of his contribution, he was awarded the honorary mayor of San Antonio, Texas in 1996. The mayor of Troy awarded him the city’s golden key in 1999, and the governor of Michigan issued a certificate of commendation in 1999. The GrandMaster was the first person in the Yang family to go abroad and a contributor to Yang’s tai chi chuan to the world.
The grandmaster was sincere and humble, open-minded, and indifferent to fame and fortune. He respected the elders and loved the young at home, taught others patiently and tirelessly. He advocated that “Tai Chi in the world is one family” and dedicated his life, energy, and enthusiasm to spreading Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan, and hope that tai chi will contribute more to human health. He has made an indelible contribution to the spread of tai chi culture in the world.
Grandmaster lives forever!
Sons: Yang Daofang and Yang Defang
Daughter-in-law: Wu Sumei
Grandson: Yang Jun, Yang Bin, and Yang Yong
Granddaughter-in-law: Fang Hong, Song Li, and Zhang Juan
Granddaughter: Yang Xueqin
Grandson-in-law: Sun Hongwei
Great-grandson: Yang Yajie Yang Yahao
Great-granddaughter: Yang Yaning, Yang Yaxian
Great-grandson-in-law: Zhou Xingzhang
Great-grandnephew: Sun Tiancheng
All the disciples of the grand master and their disciples in linage.
November 7, 2020
Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo’s vision was to bring tai chi chuan to the world for the betterment of all humankind
and for all tai chi chuan to be one family.
To honour this remarkable man, his vision and his tireless work to bring this to fruition, tai chi practitioners around the world took a moment wherever they were at the time of Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo’s funeral to acknowledge him in prayer according to their cultural traditions.