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Wang Qing Zhai 王庆斋 was born on December 26, 1905 (the first day of the twelfth lunar month in 1905), in Jinzhou, Anqiu County, Shandong Province of China. He grew up in Dalian, Liaoning province and began studying martial arts at the age of 9. He first studied the traditional boxing style, Di Gong Quan 地功拳 under Zhang Gong Cheng 张功成 before learning the long-range form, Chang Quan 长拳, from Sun Cheng Yun 孙成云. At 16, he began studying the external style, Seven Star Praying Mantis 七星螳螂拳, and internal form, BA Gua Zhang 八卦掌, from the famed martial arts master, Wang Yun Peng 王云鹏

He began to study with Sun Wen Bo 孙文渤, the famous martial arts master and Qing Ping Sword instructor to Emperor Aixinjueluo Puyi 爱新觉罗.溥仪, upon meeting him in the early 1930’s. From Master Sun Wenbo 孙文渤, Qinq Zhai learned Shaolin Praying Mantis 少林螳螂拳, Luo Style Duan Men Qiang 罗氏断门枪, and Yang Style Qing Ping Sword 杨式青萍剑, of which Qing Zhai would gain notoriety for. It was during this time that he met Liu Zhong He 刘忠和 and had the opportunity to study under him, learning his secret library of Wu Zi Gong 秘传午子功.

In his early thirties, Qing Zhai followed his father and brother during the Chuang Guan Dong migration 闯关东 to the Liaoning Province, in order to make a living. He settled in Shenyang 沈阳 and begin his own martial arts practice. In 1937, Wang Qingzhai opened up the 26th Institute of Feng Tian Wu Dao Zhen Xing Hui 奉天武道振兴会第26传习所. This was an arduous process at the time, requiring strict approval of the Feng Tian Wu Dao Revitalization association. His students and impact on the martial arts community continued to grow over the years. He participated in the National Wushu Observation and Exchange Conference twice (1979 and 1983), and his Qing Ping Jian won the first prize. In 1982, he also attended and performed in the National Wushu Work Conference, and was once awarded the National Excellent Wushu Counselor. Qing Zhai taught almost a thousand students at his Shenyang institute until his passing in 1993, nearly sixty years later.

Qing Zhai passed away on October 8th, 1993. He had suffered a myocardial infarction the previous year, which he had recovered from but had still left his body strained. His passing was mourned by his family, hundreds of students, and those he had influenced. On April 9, 2005, a museum honoring the legacy of Wang Qing Zhai was founded by Qing Zhai’s daughter, Wang Shu Ping 王淑萍, near the Huanggutun Railway Station 皇姑屯火车站. The original martial arts hall had been demolished however this museum has been restored to represent the original martial arts studio and contains Qing Zhai’s various awards and metals. In 2013, the Liaoning province added Qing Zhai to their Liaoning Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Years after his passing, his students continue to be inspired by his teachings and philosophy.

Notable Disciples

Wang Qing Zhai taught for nearly 60 years and had notable students during different parts of his tenure:

1937 - 1950: Li Du Ming 李都明，Di Cai San 狄彩三，Qi Yan Zhang 齐彦章

1950 - 1970: Lian Jin Shan 连金山，Ma Shu Gui 马树贵，Liu Shi Jun 刘士俊，Li Chang Yong  李长勇，Wang Shu Ping 王淑萍，Li Ji Bao 李继宝，Hu Chun Ming 胡春明

After 1970: Wang Ji Hong 王吉洪，Li De Yu 李德玉，Ge Zhan Ku 葛占库，Liu Pin Zheng

刘品正，Huo Rui Ting 霍瑞亭，Tian Yu Shi 田雨时，Li Sheng 李胜，Zhang Yun Chao 张云超

Performance at 1947 Northeast National Martial Arts Competition

From August 5th to 13th, 1947, the 2nd Northeast National Martial Arts Fighting Competition 第二届东北武术擂台赛 was held at the Shenyang International Stadium (now Shenyang Stadium). Over 800 contestants from around the country entered the competition. However, due to the Chinese Communist Revolution which had started the previous year, only the top ten finalists were featured. Wang Qing Zhai was one of the top ten finalists.

He placed first in Qing Ping Jian after defeating the famous boxer Ma Xian Tu马献图. His performance during this match gained notoriety. After striking Xian Tu several times on the wrist and not having the point be called by the referees, Qing Zhai grew impatient. In the next bout he used the bamboo sword to break Xian Tu’s ankle. Running up to the referee he stated, “This time you saw it.” The audience broke into an uproar and the final referee ruled Qing Zhai the winner.

Referees :  Li Yu Lin 李玉琳，Liu Bao Rui 刘宝瑞，Yang Ru Lin 杨汝霖，Xin Jian Hou 辛健侯

Chief referee: Ji Wen Cai 纪文才

Side referee: Zhang Wan Cheng 张万成

Due to the new regime, practice of Chinese martial arts were restricted, or altered, in subsequent years. This competition represented one of the last times these classic martial arts styles were competed in with their unaltered forms. The legacy of these traditional styles were preserved by Wang Qing Zhai and those who studied under him.