By: Anne Schulze

Tai Chi, a treasured gem of Chinese traditional culture, has a history spanning over 400 years. It is not merely a martial art but a practice deeply rooted in philosophical principles. At the heart of Tai Chi culture lies the concept of “Yin-Yang balance,” emphasizing the harmony between the internal and external, movement and stillness. This practice not only promotes physical health but also nurtures spiritual growth. Over time, Tai Chi has spread widely across China and has become a popular form of fitness worldwide. In 2020, it was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, further cementing its significance in global culture. Amidst this global wave of promotion, Zhang Hao, a Chinese Tai Chi champion and cultural ambassador, has played an indispensable role. 

Zhang Hao was born in Jiaozuo, Henan, the birthplace of Tai Chi, and was steeped in its cultural essence from a young age. At the age of seven, he began his martial arts training, encompassing not only Tai Chi but also a range of traditional martial arts such as saber, spear, staff, sword, Changquan (Long Fist), Bajiquan, and Tongbeiquan. By the age of 13, Zhang had already made a name for himself by winning multiple championships at both city and provincial levels. These formative years laid a solid foundation for his later specialization in Tai Chi. 

In 2006, Zhang joined the Guangdong provincial martial arts team, where he officially focused on Tai Chi. During this period, he leveraged his exceptional talent and rigorous training to rise swiftly through the ranks, becoming one of the leading Tai Chi athletes in China. Representing Guangdong Province, Zhang competed in both national and international martial arts competitions, earning numerous accolades. He won the National Tai Chi Championship, achieving the prestigious rank of National Master of Wushu. In 2016, Zhang was invited to serve as the coach for the Philippine National Wushu Team. During his coaching tenure, he not only imparted his profound Tai Chi skills but also successfully led the team to the 9th Asian Wushu Championships and the 6th World Junior Wushu Championships, where his athletes earned several top-three finishes. Zhang’s tenure as a coach demonstrated not only his personal prowess as a Tai Chi champion but also his exceptional ability to train and mentor emerging talent. 

In 2018, Zhang immigrated to the United States as an outstanding talent and began a new chapter of global Tai Chi promotion. In the U.S., Zhang devoted himself to spreading Tai Chi on all fronts, frequently invited by renowned universities such as the University of Maryland and George Mason University to teach Tai Chi courses to students. Through these classes, Zhang imparted the essence of Tai Chi and its health benefits to the younger generation. He not only introduced more Americans to Tai Chi but also integrated it into their daily routines, helping them enhance their physical and mental well-being. 

In 2019, Zhang personally led his team to participate in the 8th World Traditional Wushu Championship, where he won two gold medals. In addition to excelling in individual events, he guided his students to compete in group events, leading them to secure the team world championship. This achievement not only extended Zhang’s personal legacy but also exemplified his success as a Tai Chi ambassador and mentor. During his time in the U.S., Zhang participated in numerous martial arts competitions, winning approximately 40 gold medals and cultivating several Tai Chi world champions. Then, in 2023, he represented the United States in the 2023 Pan American Wushu Championships and won four gold medals. Tirelessly, he continued to promote Tai Chi culture across the globe, aiming to help more people benefit from this ancient art. 

Zhang is not only a practitioner of Tai Chi but also a dedicated inheritor and promoter of Tai Chi culture. He understands that Tai Chi is more than just a martial art; it is a holistic practice that balances the mind and body, enhancing overall health. In light of this belief, he founded “HAOTAICHI,” a brand committed to cultivating Tai Chi talent and transmitting Chinese traditional culture. HAOTAICHI attracts a large number of enthusiasts with its professional teaching methods and deep understanding of Tai Chi philosophy. Through his teachings, Zhang ensures that his students not only master this ancient art but also grasp the philosophical concepts and health principles inherent in Tai Chi.

Beyond his achievements in competitions and teaching, Zhang has also deeply realized Tai Chi’s far-reaching benefits for physical and mental health. He has tirelessly promoted this ancient martial art across the world, ensuring that more people come to understand that Tai Chi is not merely a martial technique but a pathway to strengthening the body and balancing the mind. As a passionate advocate of Chinese traditional culture, Zhang is also actively involved in other cultural activities, such as tea ceremonies and playing the Guqin, a traditional Chinese musical instrument. In the future, Zhang plans to establish a Tai Chi martial arts school in California, USA, continuing his mission of promoting Tai Chi culture. He hopes that through this school, more people will come to appreciate Tai Chi, fall in love with it, and benefit from its practice. This initiative will not only further advance the spread of Tai Chi in the U.S. but also provide a platform for future Tai Chi enthusiasts to learn and exchange knowledge.

Zhang Hao’s contributions to Tai Chi are immeasurable. Whether on the professional competition stage or in daily teaching, he consistently leads by example, using his actions to promote Tai Chi. He firmly believes that the charm of Tai Chi lies not only in its martial prowess but also in its ability to help people achieve harmony between mind and body. Through his efforts, Tai Chi is becoming an increasingly essential part of global health practices, enabling countless individuals to improve their well-being and quality of life. Zhang Hao’s journey represents a vital chapter in the global dissemination of Tai Chi, providing a model for its continued legacy and development in the future.

Published by: Martin De Juan