What is TS Chang Style TaiChi?

TS Chang Style History

Grandmaster Chang Tung Sheng (1908—1986) was a Hui martial artist. He was one of the best-known practitioners and teachers of Chinese wrestling, also known as Shuai Chiao. His drive and talent resulted in Chang becoming the youngest faculty member at the Nanjing Central Kuoshu Institute, the most prestigious and influential martial art school in China at that time. In 1933, at the age of 25, Grandmaster Chang Tung Sheng competed in the 5th National Kuo Shu Tournament, also called the All-China Full Contact Tournament, winning the heavyweight division over several hundred other competitors.

As the story goes, Grandmaster Chang was observing General Li Chien, considered the leading expert of Yang style Taichi, practicing pushing hands (a type of sparring in Taichi) with some of his students. General Li asked Chang’s opinion. Chang, never one to pull punches, both figuratively and literally, replied that he thought the students were letting him win due to his high rank. Surprised at the audacity of Chang’s remark, Li asked Chang if he would like to have a try himself. Chang accepted the offer, whereupon Chang promptly sent Li to the ground. Eventually, General Li came to consider Chang his equal and a friend. He was so impressed by Chang’s combat skills and applications that their collaboration resulted in an entirely new style of Taichi, today known as TS Chang style. Never defeated in martial arts challenge matches, Chang died in Taiwan in 1986. He was considered a national treasure.

TS Chang Style Today

Enter Grandmaster Chicoine. He became interested in the martial arts while serving in the military in Japan. Thus began his life-long journey into this discipline. In the 1970s, Grandmaster Chang and Grandmaster Chicoine met. For a long time, non-Chinese were not permitted to train in Chinese Kung Fu. The boxer revolution had left hard feelings for the Chinese masters for quite some time. Fortunately for us, Grandmaster Chang did not share this view, so much so that Chang did the unthinkable: he adopted Chicoine as his 13th son.

During the following years, Grandmaster Chicoine reached the highest rank in the world next to Grandmaster Chang himself. After the death of Grandmaster Chang in 1986, the rank of Tenth Degree Black Belt was retired. Ten years later, this distinction was awarded to Grandmaster Chicoine.

Grandmaster Chicoine had a long career in law enforcement. Until very recently, he still taught at law enforcement agencies and our military in unarmed combat. His abilities in iron palm are legendary. Mr. Chicoine (1930--2020) passed away in March 2020.

Mr. John Trifero is a student of Grandmaster Chicoine and with his approval, John is honored to teach this rare form of Taichi. John considers it an obligation to pass on this legacy.

That’s how you are now able to have such a rare opportunity to learn TS Chang style Taichi. John is fortunate to have been a student of TS Chang style Taichi since the 1990s. He firmly believes it’s one of the rarest styles of Taichi on earth.