United States Challenge IX
Congratulations to our 8 athletes from Wayland Li that competed in the 2017 U.S. Challenge IX (美国精英赛)!
The competition was organized by the U.S. Wushu Academy, as well as support from Kung Fu Magazine (TigerClaw), Zhao Changjun Wushu Academy and World Swordsmen Federation.
A special thank you to Mr. Christopher Pei and Coach Zhang Guifeng for the warm welcome and invitation. We enjoyed the spirit of competition and making new friendships!
Dates: October 7, 2017
Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland, U.S.
Key Achievements:
Two Group B athletes (Erica, Zeina) took home 2 gold medals, 1 silver and 1 bronze.
Five Group C athletes (Lia, Adam, Amanda, Kai-Hsin, Ian) took home 3 gold medals, 5 silver and 3 bronze.
Wayland Li Martial Arts Centre placed second overall in terms of school competition division
Results for Wayland Li Athletes at 2017 U.S. Challenge IX
Senior Female - Optional Jianshu
Erica Li, Gold medal, Score: 9.70
Group B Female - Changquan
Erica Li, Silver, Score: 9.40
Zeina Shaltout, 4th Place, Score: 8.90
Group B Female - Jianshu
Zeina Shaltout, Bronze, Score: 9.23
Group B Female - Qiangshu
Zeina Shaltout, Gold, Score: 9.53
Erica Li, 4th Place, Score: 9.13
Group C Female - Changquan
Lia Tang-Ruggiero, Bronze, Score: 9.15
Amanda Sun, 4th Place, Score: 8.90
Group C Female - Broadsword
Lia Tang-Ruggiero, Gold, Score: 9.15
Group C Female - Jianshu
Amanda Sun, Bronze, Score: 8.83
Group C Female - Staff
Lia Tang-Ruggiero, Silver, Score: 9.22
Group C Group - Spear
Amanda Sun, Silver, Score: 9.23
Group B Male - Broadsword
Caleb Akai, 5th Place, Score: 8.43
Group B Male - Staff
Caleb Akai, 5th Place, Score: 8.73
Group C Male - Changquan
Kai-Hsin Chang, Silver, Score: 9.07
Adam Shaltout, 4th Place, Score: 8.97
Ian Gao, 7th Place, Score: 7.85
Group C Male - Broadsword
Kai-Hsin Chang, Silver, Score: 8.83
Ian Gao, Bronze, Score: 8.03
Group C Male - Jianshu
Adam Shaltout, Gold, Score: 9.05
Group C Male - Gunshu
Adam Shaltout, Gold, Score: 9.30
Kai-Hsin Chang, Silver, Score: 9.28
Ian Gao, 7th Place, Score: 7.97
Coverage of the event was featured in the publication Washington Chinese Media, Inc (华府华语):
十八般武艺齐亮相 美国武术精英赛马州举行
By Ian Shen
身穿传统的中国武术练功服，气势十足的一抱拳，小小年纪，但一招一式都不马虎，已经显露出不凡的功夫。
10月7日，美国武术精英赛在马里兰州盖城举行，百余位选手参加了当天的比赛，他们来自美国各州，包括纽约、新泽西、马里兰和波士顿等地的知名武术学校，更有来自加拿大的李文启武术学院派出了顶尖的学生参加比赛，切磋技艺。
比赛分为太极组、拳术组和器械组，其中除太极拳项目外，参赛选手都是中小学生。不仅有华裔选手，还有不少金发碧眼的美国青少年参赛。剑术比赛气势凌云、拳术比赛恢宏有力、长棍比赛让人眼花缭乱，而太极比赛则是行云流水，舒缓放松。每个人表演时，周围观众都用中文和英文为其加油助威。
本届比赛的裁判也是重量级人物，有曾执教中国国家武术队的武术大师白文祥、太极拳世界冠军陈思坦、世界武术冠军壮晖、长拳冠军江邦军和中国全国武术冠军赵长军等。他们现场打分，直接公布成绩。
中国驻美大使馆公使李克新、马州州参议员李凤迁（Susan Lee）、侨界知名人士梁康之等出席了活动开幕式。李克新公使表示，武术是中国传统文化的重要组成部分，从中不仅可以感受中华文化的博大精深，更是中美文化交流、向世界展示的绝佳窗口。
本届精英赛的主办方、美国武术学院院长裴康凯介绍，宣传武术文化、扩大武术的国际影响力是举办此次活动的目的，也希望下一届比赛能吸引更多的选手参加。
远道而来的加拿大的李文启师傅接受华府华语采访时表示，比赛交流对切磋学生技术、提高孩子们对武术的兴趣很有帮助，明年还要继续参加。
看华府新闻，晓华府大事，华府华语记者赵铮艺（Zhengyi Zhao）报道。