Commemorating the Third Anniversary of the Death of Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo
Three years ago, on November 7, 2020, Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo passed away. By Chinese tradition, this marks the end of the formal mourning period. However, his legacy, his inspiration, and his spirit live on.
Yang Zhenduo (1926-2020), was the fourth-generation direct descendant of Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan. He held the ninth dan of Chinese Wushu, was an inaugural committee expert of the Wushu Research Institute of the General Administration of Sport of China, and one of the Hundred Masters of Chinese Wushu. He was also contemporary Tai Chi Chuan celebrity.
Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo was born in Yongnian, Hebei Province into a tai chi family. He was the great-grandson of Yang Luchan, the founder of Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan. His tai chi training began in childhood with his father, Yang Chenfu, learning the traditional hand form, various weapon forms and push hands. Being a generational master, he inherited his family’s teachings and knowledge. His tai chi frame was neat and rigorous, his postures powerful.
Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo was generous and modest, broad-minded, and indifferent to fame and fortune. He was a family man who respected his elders and loved his children, and he was a good teacher who was tireless in his teaching. He advocated that “Tai Chi Chuan in the world is one family” and dedicated his life’s energy and enthusiasm to spread Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan worldwide. He is held in high regard everywhere he goes and has disciples throughout the world. His vision was for Tai Chi Chuan to make more contributions to human health and make indelible contributions to the spread of Tai Chi Chuan culture in the world. He made an indelible mark wherever he went teaching Yang family Tai Chi Chuan and his footprint is felt
around the world.
The grandmaster is like a tall mountain towering in our hearts. As current and future generations make their way up the long mountainous path, the master is like a beacon illuminating our way forward in Tai Chi. Although we miss this fine gentle man with his bright smiling face, we will be encouraged and guided by his spirit.
Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo will live in our hearts forever.
His spirit will endure forever.