Our History

In the 1933 National Kuo Shu (kung-fu) Elimination/Examination Tournament (involving over one thousand participants), it was Master Ch’ang, Tung Sheng who, at the age of twenty-five, emerged victorious as the heavyweight Champion. The government sponsored games included masters from all of China, in various styles, being examined (fist forms or Talu) and battling each other in (free-sparring or San-shou) all-out combat for supremacy. Fifteen years later, after traveling throughout China, Grandmaster Ch’ang proved he was still number one when he finished on top in the 1945 National Athletic Meet and Shuai-chiao tournament. Having won the championship in the fifth, and seventh national tournaments, Grandmaster Ch’ang moved on to teach at the Central Police Academy in Taipei for nearly thirty years. During that time, he was also the chief official for the national tournaments, and Shuai-chiao competitions held in Taiwan. In February of 1982 Grandmaster Ch’ang began promoting the art of Shuai-chiao by traveling around the world. In the United States, Grandmaster Ch’ang gave demonstrations and workshops to kung-fu organizations, police departments,and universities. He also presided over three US National tournaments.

The unexpected death of Grandmaster Ch’ang on June 18, 1986, left the world with many unanswered questions about Shuai-chiao. With his passing, he took with him many secrets that have yet to be discovered by those who still practice the art. However, Grandmaster Ch’ang did leave some documented works that are currently being used by some major Universities and Shuai-chiao organizations. These include the standardized belt rank system that has been adopted by the USSA, instructional videos and books, and the poem of Shuai-chiao. This thirty character poem, which contains the essence of the Pao-ting style of Shuai-chiao, has passed on through the generations and is now the central core by which the true spirit of Shuai-chiao perpetuates.

Dr. Weng is a two time national champion of Shuai-chiao of the Republic of China in 1969 and 1970 . Dr. Weng holds a first Teng ranking in Shuai-chiao, and is the first certified IWUF (International Wushu Federation) International Wushu Judge in North and South America. Dr. Weng assisted his teacher, Grandmaster Ch’ang Tung-sheng at the Central Police College R.O.C. in the 1970’s and helped establish the now internationally accepted Ranking system of Shuai-chiao in 1983. His works also include two English textbooks which have been adopted by numerous universities in Taiwan and the United States: Fundamentals of Shuai-chiao and Ch’ang style T’ai-chi chuan, Modified Short Form. Both books also have companion videotapes. Dr. Weng has also helped design and was featured in TC Mediaâs Shuai-chiao 4 volume videotape series on the United States Shuai-chiao Association Belt Ranking Requirements and has recently completed a ground breaking videotape series on practical Chin-na applications of Tâai-chi. Well recognized as a leader in the martial arts world, Dr. Weng was one of nine arbitrators for the 2nd World Wushu Championships held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1993. He was also a member of the selection and training committee for the 1990 11th Asia Olympic Games for the R.O.C. Wushu Team. Dr. Weng was invited to speak at the 1988 Olympic Scientific Congress in Seoul, Korea.

As a Leader and Coach in Shuai-chiao, Dr. Weng led the U.S. Shuai-chiao team in 1992 to Paris, France for the Paris Mayorâs Cup International Shuai-chiao Invitational. The USSA team stunned the world martial arts community by taking 1st place in Team competition. Three years later, Dr. Weng led another team to Paris that came in second only to China. In the winter of 1997, Dr. Weng led a select U.S. Team to the 1st Beijing International Shuaijiao Tournament with 11 countries participating. The team took third place losing only to the two Chinese teams. In 1998, Dr. Weng led another USSA select team to the Paris Cup taking 2nd place losing only to the Chinese team by one medal. In 2013, Dr. Weng was the executive officer of the 3rd Place TEAM USA at the Yixing International Shuaijiao Tournament in China.

Dr. Weng has also served in many administrative roles. Among the notable positions are: Head of division of Chinese Martial Arts, Chinese Culture University, R.O.C. Chairman of the 12th Chinese American Athletic Tournament of the Bay Area. This tournament included a Wushu Division that had over 300 competitors including divisions for San shou, Shuai-chiao, and contemporary Wushu with additional athletes in other events totaling 4,000. Dr. Weng is currently the Founding Chairman of the United States Shuai-chiao Association, visiting professor at San Jose State University, President of the Cupertino Kung-fu Club, and Director of the U.S. Self Defense Academy in San Francisco, California. Dr. Weng travels the world teaching Shuai-chiao, Tai-chi, and San-shou as well as certifying judges and instructors. As the highest-ranking principal in the USSA, he is the visionary and Grandmaster of the organization.