Joseph Zeisky's Taichi Push-Hands Competition Days...
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Joseph participated in the competitive sports aspects of Tai Chi, winning many national and international "Push-Hands" competitions. In the martial arts world "Push-Hands" is considered mid-range grappling and some of the basic self-defense skills and energy principles of Tai Chi Chuan can be safely exercised and developed.
In decades past, masters and students of Tai Chi Chuan and the internal martial arts regularly sparred and challenged each other, sometimes full-out and with no rules! Unfortunately, many were seriously injured and even killed accidentally or intentionally! So, the Taichi masters of old cleverly began designing training methods and forms that simultaneously maintained the core principles and philosophy of always seeking balance and harmony, but that could also develop true self-defense fighting skills in safer, ethical and moral way. Hence, The Art of Tai Chi Chuan "Tui-Shou" /"Push-Hands" was born!
Below, from left to right: John Mastro, Grandmaster Yu Cheng Hsiang, Annette Moy and Joseph Zeisky, Gold medalists in the 1989 "Taste of China" International Tai Chi Tournament, Winchester, Virginia, USA.
Joseph’s main accomplishments in competitive Tai Chi “Push-Hands” sports:
1987 - Dobbs Ferry, New York / Dobbs Ferry Karate Tournament Tai Chi Push-Hands Heavyweight Champion and Grand Champion.
1988 - San Francisco, California / Doc Fai Wong's International Tournament Fixed and Moving Step Pushing-Hands HeavyWeight Champion and Grand Champion.
1989 - Winchester, Virginia / Taste of China International Tournament Pushing-Hands HeavyWeight Champion and Ben Lo Cup Grand Champion.
1991 - Winchester, Virginia / Taste of China International Tournament Pushing-Hands HeavyWeight Champion and Ben Lo Cup Grand Champion.
Joseph posing with fellow competitor, Sam Masich, at the Taste of China International Tai Chi Chuan Tournament, July 1988, Winchester, Virginia.
Above, Sam Masich and Joseph Zeisky have a friendly sparring match before competing in the 1988 Taste of China Tournament, which Joseph lost to his friend Lenzie Williams. Sometimes these friendly matches would last for many hours, serving as a healthy and safe way for internal martial artist to test and challenge each other's skills and closely held beliefs. Ultimately, the true purpose of these contests is not just to “win” but, rather to also achieve true sincerity without being falsely modest and to avoid self-delusion. To mutually grow in understanding Tai Chi principle is the ideal and true spirit of the internal martial arts and should be at the heart of any “competition.”
Joseph’s most influential teachers and mentors
Student Experiences Studying with Joseph
Joseph's Taichi Push-Hands Competition Days
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