Bao wrote:Before the CCP started to brand Chenjiagou as the "Birthplace of Tai chi", Tai Chi practitioners if they wanted to compete did so in Sanda tournaments. The focus on PH as competition is exactly what has been detrimental to Tai Chi as a fighting art.
And everyone keep saying that "Chen style is the most martial tai chi style". What a joke. In fact, the focus on fake wrestling makes it the least martial tai chi style.
The CCP support Taijiquan because it does not have a direct link to the organized religion of Daoism. Most people acknowledged it has some relation to the development of Internal Martial Art which disappeared due to its resistance to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 AD). Push Hand Competition was part of the All China Taijiquan Championship in the 80's and early 90's. So, it is not something new in China excepted it disappointed the public by promoting the use of brute force in Taijiquan. If you look at the rules carefully, the standard push hand techniques are not from the Chens. In any case, the founders of Wu or Ng styles are good wrestlers.