1. Liu Li invites Wen-peng to the UK

Looking at all Wen-peng’s certificates and achievements piled on my desk, I am so overwhelmed by this talented, young Wushu player who is still in his early 20s. I met him once when he came to give lessons to a British Wushu Association in the UK. I was impressed by his character and the way he practised Tai Chi: amiable, steady, gentle-polite on the exterior but firm-earnest inside. I had a chance to ask his opinion about British Wushu. He said Britain needed quality Wushu instructors. I joked to him: "Would you like to be an instructor in the UK?" He smiled: "Maybe".

Now in 2005, Wen-peng is graduating from university and his career would be heading towards national coach. I asked him the same question again and I am delighted to announce that he said he would like to come to Britain for a year or two to promote Wushu as well as experience western culture.

I believe British people will benefit from and enjoy Wen-peng’s teaching and friendship.

Wen-peng’s talent in Wushu has been carefully nurtured since he was very young. He has been given the opportunity to excel in many different Wushu environments: Shaolin Temple, Wushu Associations at all levels, police force, Army and university. Coached by many famous instructors and Wushu champions, he has achieved impressive results at a series of championships and is capable of executing a variety of Wushu styles and forms. Amongst his honours is the sports title "National First Class Fighter" awarded by Chinese People Liberation Army.

3. Wen-peng’s Achievement Highlights

• Tai Chi National Champion in National Tai Chi Championship 2002
• Winner of Tai Chi form 42 in the National Collegiate Wushu Championship in 2004
• Winner of Swordplay of youth group in Qingdao International Wushu Tournament in 1999
• Winner of Spearplay in Shandong Provincial Wushu Competition in 1996
• Winner of Swordplay in Qingdao City Wushu Completion in 1995

4. Wen-peng’s instructors

Shi Suxin, Venerable Abbot of Shaolin Temple;
Zhou Tao, Chairman of the Qingdao City Wushu Association;
Xu Quilin, general instructor of Shandong Provincial Wushu team;
Wu Xiumen, first rank international judge;
Du Chunyang, nationally recognised Wushu instructor;
Lu Guoqin, nationally recognised Wushu instructor;
Wang Zihua, head coach of police force Wushu team
Zhang Fang, Asia Tai Chi Champion of Form 42 in 2004
Qu Huifang, World Tai Chi Champion of Form 42 in 2000
Wu Bin, Chairman of Technical Committee of International Wushu Federation; President of Beijing Wushu Research Institute and instructor of Jet Lee.
Yu Hongju, general coach of the Army Wushu team;
Su Changlai, Wushu professor and the international judge
Xu Caitong, national Wushu judge
Li Shixin, Sport professor at Beijing University, head of national Wushu judges and contributor to the following books: Shaolin Box; Introduction of Chinese Wushu, Tai Chi form 42, The 13th frame of Ermei Short weapon; Luohan 18 Palm; Shaolin 13 Kicks; Chinese Ancient Method for Longevity; Pictorial Qi-Gong; Wushu Concise Dictionary.

5. Wen-peng’s Biography

Wen-peng’s father

Wen-peng was born in Qingdao, Shangdong province. His name 'Wen' means intellectual and 'peng' means 'a roc's flight of 10,000 miles'. He began to practise Wushu at the age of six and by the age of 10 his talent was recognised by ex-Venerable Abbot Su-Rong Shi of Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of Wushu, who introduced him as an apprentice to the current Abbot, Suxin Shi. Wen-peng was given the name 'De' to be listed into the Shaolin family tree as one of the 31st generation of Shaolin followers. 'De' literately means 'high moral standard', supplementing his original name 'Wen (intellectual)', which taught him that a great achiever needs both ability and integrity. During his Shaolin Temple Apprenticeship, he was trained in a range of Shaolin forms and was honoured to be selected to perform at the Shaolin Temple Foundation's 1500th anniversary ceremony in 1995.

In 1995, Wen-peng was invited to join Qingdao City Wushu Association, became a close student of Chairman Zhou Tao and also received instruction from Wu Xiumen, a first rank international judge. He went on to win the swordplay and take third place in the long box at Qingdao City Championship.

In 1996, Wen-peng transferred to Shandong provincial Wushu team where he trained with Xu Quilin, the general instructor, together with recognised Wushu instructors.

Du Chunyang and Lu Guoqin. In the Shandong Province competition, he gained the first place in Wushu Spearplay and the fourth place in Wushu Swordplay.

In 1997, Wen-peng joined China's police force Wushu team where he started to practise Tai Chi under the Tai Chi coach master Wang Zihua and the Tai Chi super star Zhang Shaoyi who won the all- round Tai Chi champion at Asia Sports Meeting in1990 (See the picture on the right). In the team, he was also a younger learner to the later Tai Chi World Champion 2000 Qu Huifang and the later Asia Tai Chi Champion 2004 Zhang Fang.

In 1998, Wen-peng gained second place in Wushu swordplay at Qingdao International Wushu Tournament.

In 1999, Wen-peng won the Wushu swordplay in Qingdao International Wushu Tournament.

In 2000, Wen-peng was invited to join Chinese People Liberation Army Wushu team based in Beijing where he was honoured with the sport title 'NATIONAL FIRST CLASS FIGHTE'. He received the further Tai Chi training from Wu Bin and Yu Hongju, the army Wushu team general. Wu Bin is Chairman of the International Wushu Federation's Technical Committee, President of Beijing Wushu Research Institute and the instructor of famous film star Jet Lee. Wen-peng was in the third of Tai Chi form 42 and the sixth place of Tai Chi swordplay in National Youth Wushu competition.

In 2001, Wen-peng was sent to study at Tianjin Technology University, withholding his military status. He continued practising in the university Wushu team under the instruction of Su Changlai, Wushu Professor and international judge, and Xu Caitong, national Wushu judge. He won many
trophies for the university team at collegiate Wushu competitions.

In 2002, he became Tai Chi National Champion in National Tai Chi Championship.

In the same year, he, with Su Changlai and Xu Caitong, together with other 11 Wushu players visited the UK, where Liu Li met the group.

In 2003, all competitions were cancelled because of SARS.

In 2004, he won the first place of Tai Chi in the 7th National Collegiate Sports Competition; In the same year, he also remarkably obtained three championships in Tai Chi self-selected form, Tai Chi form 42 and Tai Chi swordplay.

Wushu Instructor Yang Xian

Miss Yang's Biography

Yang Xian was born and grew up in Zhejiang province of East China. She is a natural athlete. Because her outstanding performance at school, she was recommended to practise Wushu under Master Xu Yebai since 1992.

In 1998, 6 years later, she was recruited into Chinese People Liberation Army Wushu team for professional training instructed by 'Wushu King' Wang Jinbao.

In 2002, Yang Xian was sent to study English at Tianjin Technology University from the Army. She continually practices in the university Wushu team under the instruction of Su Changlai, Wushu Professor and international Wushu judge, and Xu Caitong, national Wushu judge.

Yang Xian is very enthusiastic about performing arts. She played a chivalrous swordswoman in the show 'Love and Sword', which won the first price in the Tianjin City Students Performing Arts Competition in 2004. See the picture.

In 2002, she was the winner of Long Boxing and the runner up of Sparring Form in Hong Kong International Invitational Tournament.

In 2004 National Collegiate Wushu Championship, she won Long-tassel Sword Play, Sparring Form and was at the fifth place of Long Boxing.

In May 2004, she visited American Rochester Athletics Institute with other 8 selected members. They demonstrated wonderful Wushu shows in U.S.A. She was a compare as well as an actress in 6 programs: solo Sword Play, Sparing Form and 4 other collective programs.

Wen-peng's current Wushu instructors: Prof. Su Changlai (2nd left) and Xu Caitong(2nd right), with Dr Louise Spiotte (mid), the director of Rochester Athletics Institute.