| Czech Republic is a typical European country with the traditional martial arts being boxing, wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling. In1990’s after the "Velvet Revolution", Chinese martial arts have been broadly introduced to the Czech sports community. Before that there were no other ways to learn Chinese martial arts apart from books or movies, then new martial arts schools have been founded. Interestingly, even though the two countries being both socialist governments at the same time, after1950’s the relationship between China and Czech have been severed due to the political dispute between PRC and USSR governments, which prevented all the exchange relations. Therefore the contact of the Czech society with Chinese martial arts has been delayed. After the revolution theCzech republic opened up again, gradually establishing cultural relations with China. Today the Chinese martial arts have witnessed fast development with many teachers opening their schools of martial arts. The most popular styles today are Shaolin boxing, Wing Chun Boxing and Taiji.This paper aims to study martial arts development situation in Czech Republic and to fing proper countermeasures focused on improvement of quality Czech Taiji. Through study of literature resources and anonymous questionnaires I came to following conclusions:(1) According to the survey, despite the relatively short development time Taijiquan Czech Republic, Taiji learning atmosphere is positive, but we found that students are receiving training with teachers to improve their skills in a variety of ways and means and Taijiquan cultural understanding. Czech citizens can practice Taiji was full of interest and passion, but they lack deeper understanding of Taiji.(2) Most of the students are initially for the purpose of practicing Taiji on health benefits of Taiji, small part of the students for private and social reasons, curiosity, self-confidence, finding new friendships, which are common reasons to join ant sport organizations. There are some who feel that the existence of this link between some Taiji and philosophy, so practicing Taiji can enrich their spiritual life.(3) Lack of information about Taiji, a small propaganda, no mass media support, inadequate website of the Czech Wushu Association, low promotion efforts by the government and inability to reach European Union’s sports/health development funds (as other sports only have done), resulted in Taijiquan lack of funding, which led to Taiji professional athletes being extremly rarely and all practicing of Taiji being at amateur level, limiting the pace of development of Taijiquan in Czech.(4) Although there are differences in the propagation and culture, Taiji has become a very popular sport between the Czech people of all ages. As long as Taiji propagation is more powerful, more education funding is provided to the students, then it will be more stable situation for Taiji development in the Czech Republic. Through the research of questionnaires i am hoping to make many improvements to the Czech Taiji, education program. The facts as referred to above, can be of great use, so the Taijiquan can become appreciated by Czech people and welcomed in the future. |
