Welcome to the Inaugural Midwest Taijiquan Open Peaceful Challenge!
The Midwest Taijiquan Open Peaceful Challenge is a taijiquan taolu tournament open to all ages, styles and experience levels. Hosted by Wisconsin Tai Chi Academy, our aim is to bring together taijiquan practitioners from across the United States and around the world to showcase their skills and compete together in the spirit of friendship and camaraderie.
The 2026 tournament will be held on Saturday, September 26th, 2026, from 9:00am at:
Homestead High School
5000 W. Mequon Rd
Mequon, WI, 53092
** REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! **
Registration will close July 31, 2026 at 11:59pm.
Competitors can register using our online form.
Entry tickets (non-competitor) may be pre-purchased online.
Rules and Regulations
The Midwest Taijiquan Open Peaceful Challenge is organized by the Tournament Director, Ray Gates, and hosted by Wisconsin Tai Chi Academy. Rules, regulations and scoring are based on the IWUF Wushu Taolu Competition Rules and Judging Methods (2024).
This tournament will feature five (5) judges: one (1) Head Judge and four (4) other judges. An additional Appeals Judge will also be present to resolve any disputes should they arise.
Registration
All competitors must register online by the registration deadline July 31, 2026. Payment must be made by credit/debit card at the time of registration. Competitors will receive email confirmation of registration and payment. Competitors can register here.
Age Groups
For the purposes of the tournament, your age group is determined by the age you will be on the date of the competition.
Individual competitions are divided into nine (9) age groups:
- 5 years and under
- 6 – 8 years
- 9 – 12 years
- 13 – 15 years
- 16 – 18 years
- 19 – 29 years
- 30 – 39 years
- 40 – 59 years
- 60+ years
Jiti (group) competition is open age.
Grand Champion Awards (see Placings and Awards) will be divided into four (4) age groups:
- Children’s Grand Champion (ages 12 years and under)
- Youth Grand Champion (ages 13 to 19 years)
- Adult Grand Champion (ages 20 to 59 years)
- Elder Grand Champion (ages 60+ years).
Please note: Any competitors under 18 years of age will need to obtain the consent of their parent/legal guardian prior to registering.
Experience Levels
Individual and Group competitions are divided into three (3) experience levels based on your level of experience with taiji at the time of competition:
- Beginner – up to 12 months
- Intermediate – 1 – 3 years
- Advanced – 3+ years
Your experience level is based on your total time learning taiji, not the time learning a specific form/set/routine. For example: if you have been learning taiji for four (4) years, however have only spent one (1) year learning a taijijian (straight sword) set, your experience level is considered Advanced.
Group competitors will be allocated an experience level based on the individual with the highest experience level in the group. For example, a group of four (4) with three (3) Beginners and one (1) Advanced competitor would be considered Advanced.
Only competitors who register as Advanced can be considered for Grand Champion awards.
Time Limits
Time limits are the same for individual and jiti (group) events. Per IWUF Wushu Taolu Competition Rules and Judging Methods (2024), time will commence the moment the competitor(s) start moving. A warning will be given thirty (30) seconds before the maximum time is reached. Score penalties will be made for competitors who are over/under time.
Taijiquan
Beijing 24 Forms (Yang 24 Forms): minimum four (4) minutes, maximum five (5) minutes
International 42 Forms: minimum five (5) minutes, maximum six (6) minutes
Other styles/routines: minimum three (3) minutes, maximum five (5) minutes
Taiji Weapons
Taijijian (Straight Sword): minimum two (2) minutes, maximum four (4) minutes
All other weapons: minimum one (1) minute, maximum three (3) minutes
Placings and Awards
Individual events will be categorized according to gender identity, age group and experience level. Where there are fewer than three (3) competitors in a given event, that event may be combined with a similar event where appropriate.
Medals for individual events will be awarded for first, second and third place competitors for each event. Where there are less than three (3) competitors, the medals awarded will be equivalent to the number of competitors in the event.
Group events will be categorized according to experience level.
Medals for group events will be awarded for first, second and third place groups for each event. Where there are less than three (3) groups for a given event, the number of medals awarded will be equivalent to the number of groups in the event. Note that medals are awarded to each member of the group according to the award their group received.
Full results of the tournament will be published after the completion of all events.
Grand Champion Awards
Grand Champion Awards are open to individual competitors who:
- are competing at the Advanced experience level;
- are competing in at least two events, including at least one (1) bare hand event and one (1) weapon event;
- have indicated on their registration form that they want to be considered for a Grand Champion Award (note: an extra fee applies).
Competitors are welcome to enter more than two (2) events to be considered for Grand Champion Awards, however they must have at least one (1) bare hand and one (1) weapon event to be eligible for consideration.
Final ranking will be determined as the sum of the two (2) highest scores achieved by that competitor, comprised of at least one (1) score in a bare hand event and one (1) score in a weapon event. Where a competitor has entered more than two (2) events, only the highest scores will be used, in line with the above requirements. The competitor with the highest ranking will win the Grand Champion Award for their age category.
Should there be no eligible competitors for a Grand Champion Award, the Award will not be issued.
Schedule
8:00am – Competitor Check-In Open
8:30am – Doors open to the public
9:00am – Welcome and Tournament Commencement
12:30pm – Break for Lunch
1:30pm – Tournament Continues
5:00pm – Grand Champion Awards Presented and Close
A detailed tournament schedule will be determined once registration has closed. All competitors will be notified of the schedule by email ahead of the competition date.
FAQ
Are other internal styles such as xingyiquan, baguaquan or other styles eligible to enter?
This tournament is limited to taij styles only. Including other styles may be considered for future tournaments.
I don’t see my style/routine listed. How should I enter?
If you don’t see your style/routine listed, either:
- Choose the closest style/routine which matches yours, eg: for a Yang routine not otherwise listed, choose Other Yang Style; or
- Choose Other Taijiquan and indicate the style/routine you will be performing.
Where multiple entries for the same style/routine are received the Tournament Director will consider establishing that as its own event.
Why does the registration form only include binary (female/male) classification for gender identity?
Currently many sports, including wushu, use female/male classification as a means of creating a fair environment for all competitors. While we understand that some people may not accept, or may take offence at this binary classification, at this time we do not have an acceptable, alternative solution to that would be inclusive and fair to all potential competitors and be within the logistical requirements of organizing the tournament. We take this issue seriously, and are working with groups such as Athlete Ally and the Safe Space Alliance to determine how to best address this issue for future tournaments.
Will the tournament include a push hands (tuishou) event?
Currently there is no push hands (tuishou) event in this tournament. We are considering including a tuishou event in future tournaments.
Is this tournament sanctioned by the USAWKF or IWUF?
This tournament is not currently sanctioned by the USAWKF or IWUF. Competitors in this tournament will not be eligible for US Team selection. We plan to seek sanctioning by the USAWKF for future years.
How many people can enter a group event?
Group entries require a minimum of two (2) people. While there is no maximum number set, we recommend limiting the group size to seven (7) or fewer competitors.
I don’t have a tang-style uniform to compete in. Can I still compete?
Under IWUF taolu rules, competitors must wear a tang-style uniform in order to compete. If a competitor does not have a tang-style uniform or if their uniform does not conform to the IWUF requirements, they may still compete but will receive a scoring penalty. See the IWUF Wushu Taolu Competition Rules and Judging Methods (2024) for more information on uniform requirements for taijiquan competition.
What happens if I register but cannot attend the tournament?
Competitors who register but are unable to attend the tournament need to advise our Tournament Director as soon as possible. Competitors who withdraw up to one (1) month prior to the tournament will be eligible for a full refund of their registration fee. Competitors who withdraw between one (1) month and one (1) week prior to the tournament may be eligible for a partial refund depending on circumstances. Competitors who give less than one (1) week notice of their withdrawal may or may not qualify for a partial refund at the discretion of the Tournament Director. All inquiries should be directed to the Tournament Director.
Tickets
People attending to watch the tournament must pre-purchase their tickets before attending. This includes anyone accompanying competitors, such as coaches or non-competing family members.
Ticket prices:
- Regular Admission (12 years and older) $10.00
- Child Admission (5 to 12 years) $6.00
- Family Pass (2 regular and 2 children) $25.00
- Children Under 5 years – Free
IMPORTANT: Tickets will not be available on site on the day of the tournament. Please ensure you prepurchase your tickets beforehand.
Tickets may be purchased here.
Promote Your School
Wisconsin Tai Chi Academy invites other schools teaching taijiquan to promote their services during the tournament. A designated area will be offered for schools to have a table with attendants and promotional information. Apply to feature your school here.