It is with great sadness that we have to report that Dan Docherty passed away on 9th December 2021. His memory lives on through this website, his articles, videos, podcasts and in the hearts, minds and teaching of his many students and friends throughout the world.

If you are looking for a teacher in this style, then please visit “Where to Learn” “Instructor Listings” page as although this is not being kept up to date it will provide contact details for a number of his main students.

The PTCCI practitioners Facebook page is useful should you have questions.

Blog

Sep 5, 2017

Made in Taiwan Revisited


1990 trip to Taiwan with Nigel Sutton and the British team for the 1st Chung Hwa Cup

Posted by: Dan

Just received a FB notification on memories, about old chum, Nigel Sutton, of Zhong Ding TCC.

i remember it was 2 to a room for the all male team at the love motel in Taiwan. sharing a Chinese size double bed with another guy was bad enough, but those mirrors above the beds...

And the handbag fight between Vinny and Ben in the red light area and the other hotel where one of the ZD guys complained to the bemused receptionist that he couldn't get the porn channel to work.

It was a motley crew. The Back Street Kids on vacation. A morose skinhead who spent the whole flight staring into space while glugging his formaldehyde laced Taiwan beer. The short bearded guy with a squeaky voice who began every conversation with, 'My mum says...' The guy who got a badly broken nose after receiving a headbutt doing some pushing hands with one of the Taiwanese officials.

When we got to the venue we found that 2 of Nigel's sworn enemies from a different martial arts body had objected to our team taking part as they were not the 'official' body. As a result when the British team took part in the opening ceremony and they stood at the front, the entire team turned their backs on them. So much for the United Kingdom.

Our local contact tried to 'entertain' us in traditional Chinese style by taking us to 'nightclubs' featuring near nude ladies each carrying a numbered card standing motionless and bored on a revolving stage. There was a girl menu as well as a bar menu. Some of the lads had led sheltered lives and the trip resulted in at least 3 divorces. After a few days of this type of fun, I took my guys [Steve, Dave and Ralph] to the National Palace Museum for some cultural appreciation. The others assured us they would visit the Museum 'later'.

Towards the end of the trip, even my iron constitution was undone by the formaldehyde levels in the beer, causing me to vomit on the entrance of the International Tai Chi Chuan Federation. A fitting epitaph for a crooked game in a gangster state. I was to return 4 years later, but that is another story...

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