[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlhH0PAsaZI"]Tai Chi Master Wang Zhanhai vs Judo - YouTube[/ame] Before this kicks off... I've always thought there were more than a few similarities between Judo and Taiji, so from that point of view, this video is quite an interesting concept. I do think there may be a level of Chinese national pride at work in the making of this video. I'd like to hear from our Judo-ka as to whether the [Judo] chap in the clip looks like he knows what he's up to, or if he is a stooge.
Exactly he was playing the tai chi practitioners game i know this because I have experience in both arts. It's all about Kuzushi in judo and it was not being done in this scenario.
In any Chinese wrestling tournament, the Taiji guy would be dis-qualified because he was "not willing to fight - hang on and wait for his opponent to make mistake". It's better to lose by trying than to win by not trying. The Taiji guy - wait for the Judo guy's attack, - borrows the Judo guy's "front cut" force, and - drags him down. Of course when you play - offense, you will have to use 1 leg to attack and you will only have 1 leg for rooting. - defense, you will have 2 rooting legs which give you better balance. If both the Taiji guy and the Judo guy keep their training like this, the - Judo guy will develop good "throwing skill", and - Taiji guy will never develop any "throwing skill".
The Judo guy is better than the video shows, he's just been told to try to muscle the old man around a bit.
Also, there is the typical respect for an older man, etc. Well, that is what I would do in that case... it is difficult to go full strength against them, even if you know that by not going full strength you might be insulting them.
I did like this video. Definitely makes me want to learn more about the "soft" Japanese arts, like jujitsu and judo. I'm actually considering going to BJJ school in the fall/winter. Lurking around my master's set of books, I did come across Taiji Chin-Na: The Seizing Art of Taijiquan by Yang Jwing-Ming. Great reference of using Tai Chi applications from throws, grabs, and takedowns. Incredibly extensive.
