[Martial Arts] Legitimate Heir of Martial Arts Sect

Author: Jeffi Chao Hui Wu

Time: 2025-7-11 Friday, 9:12 PM

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[Martial Arts] Inheritor of the Authentic Lineage of Martial Arts Schools
I never take the term "inheritor" lightly. In my heart, becoming the inheritor of a martial arts school’s authentic lineage is not merely about passing down a set of forms, a certificate, or a master-apprentice ceremony; it is about shouldering the entire lineage of the school’s techniques, the spirit of its heritage, and its cultural essence. This is a responsibility, a commitment, and an inevitable choice after self-awareness. The reason I dare to write this in the first person is not to flaunt my identity, but because I have walked a long, genuine, arduous, and self-validated path of inheritance. What I bear is the identity of an inheritor that I have empirically earned step by step.
What I inherit are the two major authentic systems of "Chen Style Tai Chi" and "Wu Style Tai Chi," and I am also the head of Zhao Style Xingyi Quan in Australia. All three schools have clear lineages and a long history, incomparable to folk-created styles. My Chen Style Tai Chi originates from the Chenjiagou lineage, with a clear master-disciple relationship, passed down from Grandmaster Li Jingwu to my master, Grandmaster Shan Ying. I officially became his disciple in 2024, making me the twelfth generation inheritor of Chen Style Tai Chi and the sixth generation inheritor of Wu Style Tai Chi. As for Zhao Style Xingyi Quan, I am a disciple of Grandmaster Zhao Hongwei from Northeast China, and I am the head of Zhao Style Xingyi Quan in Australia. I do not come from a martial arts family, but through decades of diligent practice, teaching, promotion, and self-validation, I have earned full recognition of this identity.
To become the inheritor of a school’s authentic lineage, merely having forms and skills is far from enough. I deeply understand that an "inheritor" must first be a comprehensive embodiment of "internal clarity and external manifestation." "Internal clarity" means mastering the principles of the techniques, understanding the philosophical thoughts, cultural backgrounds, energy structures, and combat logic within; while "external manifestation" refers to the spirit and character demonstrated in actual combat, teaching, and daily life. I practice daily at the seaside in winter, in temperatures of 6-9 degrees Celsius, wearing summer clothing, unafraid of the cold wind, without protective gear, relying solely on internal energy to activate body heat.
I never wish to be superficial or to be seen as preachy, so for many years, most of my friends and family do not know my identity in contemporary martial arts. I firmly believe that a true inheritor must not only teach forms but also teach "the heart." I established the "Australia International Qigong Tai Chi Academy" and offer free classes in Tai Chi, Yijinjing, Zhan Zhuang, and more.
At the same time, I also understand that "virtue is the foundation of a teacher." As an inheritor, one must align words and actions. Comprehensive cultivation in morality, etiquette, and spirit is essential to develop the quality of "clarifying the way through skills and establishing oneself through the way." This concept of "virtue as the foundation, with skills as a supplement" is also the foundation of the cultural heritage I pass down.
From the perspective of cultural dissemination, I further promote traditional techniques using modern tools and systems. I have established websites, forums, written teaching materials, published videos, and participated in large international events, leaving my archival materials in institutions such as the National Library of Australia and the China Modern Literature Museum, ensuring that this culture not only continues but also spreads widely. I have written hundreds of systematic articles, clearly documenting my cultivation path and thought structure, many of which have become important references for readers to understand Tai Chi concepts. I am not satisfied with inheritance within a small circle; I hope to truly bring Tai Chi into the mainstream of human civilization, becoming "the science of body and mind awakening."
Of course, the responsibility of an inheritor lies more in "stability." In the face of the clamor of the world, disputes among schools, and chaotic styles, I always adhere to "structure first, spirit as the guideline." I do not compete for superiority, nor do I chase popularity; I simply maintain a calm heart and work diligently in silence. I understand that a true inheritor is a stabilizing force, not someone who drifts with the tide. What I promote is not just the continuation of a school, but the preservation of a fragment of civilization. Because of this, I dare not be negligent, hypocritical, or speak recklessly.
I have also experienced controversy and misunderstanding; some question why I can be the inheritor of the authentic lineage and whether I have official certification. I smile calmly: there is evidence of my apprenticeship, roots of my inheritance, verifiable empirical evidence, disciples to inquire, media to testify, archives to check, and achievements to present; I need not say much. Among the schools, it is about "recognition," not "competition." As long as the true inheritors know who you are, you are the inheritor. And I have already been formally recognized and authorized by the school I belong to, my master, and my fellow disciples, possessing a clear lineage and a complete spiritual system; this is the fundamental reason I can call myself an "inheritor of the authentic lineage."
In summary, the reason I have become the inheritor of a martial arts school’s authentic lineage is not arbitrary, nor is it merely a title; it is a genuine path of step-by-step empirical practice, moral and artistic cultivation, and cultural expansion. I am willing to continue this inheritance in my life, staying true to my original intention and fulfilling my mission. I hope that future generations will not ask about lineage or success or failure, but will inquire whether they are sincere, whether they truly cultivate, and whether they are genuinely willing to take responsibility for this culture and its future.
This is the true inheritor of the authentic lineage of martial arts.

Source: https://www.australianwinner.com/AuWinner/viewtopic.php?t=696812