Hunyuan Tai Chi Academy of America

Qilong Zhang (pronounced Chi-long Jhang) was born into a martial arts family and from an early age, he was influenced by both his father and grandfather. Qilong started his martial arts training at the age of 6 under his father, Zhaoxun Zhang. After many years of diligent practice, Qilong became a disciple of Zhaoxun, Qilong is a twentieth-generation lineage holder in Chen Style Taijiquan, a third-generation successor of Chen style Xinyi Hunyuan Taijiquan, as well as a 37th generation inheritor of his family art of Kunlunquan.

Qilong began his training with Kunlunquan, Shaolinquan, Changquan, various weapons training and other martial arts routines. He is an expert in the internal arts of Xingyiquan, Baguazhang, Tongbeiquan, Paoquan and other traditional martial arts styles. In addition, Qilong has trained, coached, and competed at the highest levels of Chinese Sanda and Taijiquan Push Hands. Under the careful training and teaching of his father, Qilong has participated in many international, national, provincial and municipal competitions and won many championships.

In addition to his competition wins, Qilong has served as president and instructor of many associations and organizations in China. In 1998 he was hired as the vice principal to the private Wushu vocational High School in Fushun China to teach martial arts. Since 1995, he has personally trained and taught nearly 10,000 students. The students trained by Qilong have joined professional sports teams, universities, military and police units across the country.

Qilong has trained many individuals as well as other teachers via his vocational schools in China and more than 100 of his students have won awards in international, national, provincial and municipal martial arts competitions. His schools have created many outstanding athletes and coaches. Qilong’s prowess in the martial arts field has been recognized many times in various Chinese media such as TV stations and newspapers.

The most influential teacher in Qilong’s career was grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang. From 2000 to 2004, Qilong trained almost daily with Feng in Beijing, refining and polishing his skills. With Mr. Feng's encouragement, Qilong continued his training in other styles while studying in Beijing most notably, Baguazhang with the famous Cheng style Bagua master Liu Jingru. Qilong initially learned the art of Baguazhang (Cheng and Jiang style) from his father and in 1996 continued his studies with his father’s teacher Ge Jiyun (lineage name: Cheng Fengyun), a fourth-generation lineage holder of Cheng style Baguazhang. But it was his studies with Liu Jingru while in Beijing that really deepened his understanding of Baguazhang.

Lastly, he is a high level teacher, coach, and judge in the Chinese National Qigong Association (CNQA) as well as ranked seventh duan in the Chinese Wushu Duanwei ranking system.

A true teacher of teachers.