Three students and Sifu Ray Gates from Wisconsin Tai Chi Academy have successfully won seven gold medals at the 2025 National Senior Games held in Des Moines, Iowa.

This year is the first that Tai Chi has featured as part of the NSG program and was well attended, with over 40 competitors of various ages and abilities taking part. Events included solo women’s and men’s empty hand (taijiquan) and sword (taijijian), as well as open weapon (non-jian) and open team event. Competitors were categorized by age bracket (starting at 50-54 up to 95-100) and experience (beginner to advanced).

First time competitors Tracy Douglas and Sheila Quinnes won gold for performing Beijing 24 Forms, as did slightly more experienced (second time in competition, first at intermediate level) Kerrie Hoffman. Sifu Ray Gates won gold for his performances of Yang 40 Forms, Scholar’s Dragon Phoenix Fan, and 32 Forms Orthodox Sword. The four combined to take the advanced team gold medal with Beijing 24 Forms, the first time WTCA has entered a team event in any competition.

“I’m so proud of my students,” Sifu Ray Gates said. “We couldn’t have asked for a better result, especially considering the quality of the other competitors.” He also said the team was very happy with their achievements and are already looking forward to the next NSG in 2027, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“I’m hopeful this will inspire other students to consider competition as a way of exploring and enjoying their Tai Chi,” he said. “It would be great to put larger teams into the events and have more people involved in more events.”

Sifu Ray Gates has been working with the Wisconsin Masters Games to bring Tai Chi into their program in 2026.