Apply to Compete
The NTD International Traditional Chinese Martial Arts Competition is open to advanced practitioners of traditional Chinese martial arts. Contestants must register in advance, select the appropriate division and category, and follow the official rules, schedule, and judging standards.
Qualifications
Contestants must be well experienced in the category for which they apply. Beginners should not apply. This competition is for advanced martial arts practitioners only.
Categories
Competition Category
Adult Unarmed Hand
01
Male and female divisions.
Includes Long Fist styles such as Cha Quan, Hua Quan, Pao Quan, Hong Quan, Hua Quan, Shaolin, and related styles. It also includes other external fist styles such as Mian Quan, Tong Bei, Praying Mantis, Fanzi Quan, Ba Chi Quan, and internal fist styles such as Ba Gua and Xing Yi.
Southern martial arts styles are not included.
Competition Category
Adult Weapon
02
Male and female divisions.
Includes external weapons such as sword, broadsword, spear, staff, and related traditional weapons. It also includes internal weapons such as Xing Yi Sword, Xing Yi Broadsword, Xing Yi Spear, Yuanyang Blades, Qian Kun Circular Blades, and related styles.
Competition Category
Junior Unarmed Hand
03
Male and female contestants compete together.
Includes Long Fist styles, external fist styles, and internal fist styles accepted by the competition. Southern martial arts styles are not included.
Competition Category
Junior Weapon
04
Male and female contestants compete together.
Includes external weapons and internal weapons accepted by the competition.
Schedule
24
May, 2026
Asia-Pacific.
Preliminary Competition
- 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
14
August, 2026
Semifinals
- New York
- 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
15
August, 2026
Finals & Award Ceremony
- New York
- 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Category Rules
Forms must conform to the traditional characteristics of the corresponding fist or weapon system. Contemporary Competitive Wushu elements should not be included. Only inherited forms may be performed.
Contemporary Wushu soft metal weapons do not meet the requirements of this competition and cannot be used by adult contestants. Junior contestants are not subject to this rule.
Contestants should not mix other martial arts styles into the selected form or present creative hybrid forms.
The content of each form should reflect the mechanical principles, cultural connotations, spirit, and values of traditional martial arts, including health preservation, fitness, self-defense, artistic appreciation, and self-cultivation.
Internal style forms should be limited to 3 minutes and should include most of the traditional techniques of the related style.
External style forms should be limited to 2 minutes and should include most of the traditional techniques of the related style.
Contestants must complete their forms within the required or pre-approved time limit. Performances that exceed or fall short of the time limit may receive point deductions.
Any exception to the duration limit requires advance approval upon registration.
Each contestant may apply for up to two categories in the preliminary round. Only one form is allowed for each category.
Based on the preliminary-round score, a contestant may advance to the semifinal round only in the category with the better score.
Award winners must attend the awards ceremony in person. Awards cannot be received by proxy.
Registration
Contestants must register within the registration period online or by mail
01.
North America
Online registration: reg.ntd.com
Hotline: +1 (855) 561-0888
Email: martialarts@ntd.com
Registration period: January 1, 2026 – July 25, 2026
02.
Asia-Pacific
Online registration: ma.ntdtv.com.tw
Hotline: +886-2-26570809 ext. 1121
Email: martialarts@ap.ntdtv.com
Registration period: December 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026
Online registration must be completed by submitting all required information and materials and paying the registration fee through the official competition website.
For mail registration, contestants must complete the registration form and resume, downloadable from the competition website, and submit two recent one-inch color photos, required related materials, and a photocopy of payment proof.
Registration materials will not be returned. Registration is valid only after the required materials are submitted and the registration fee is paid. Once registration is completed, registration fees are non-refundable.
Fees
Awards & Recognition
Awards are presented across adult and junior divisions. Each division may include Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Excellence Awards.
*Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards may be withheld if the required performance standard is not met.
Adult Divisions
Adult Male Unarmed · Adult Female Unarmed · Adult Male Weapons · Adult Female Weapons
$0
Gold Award
plus one master-crafted short weapon
$0
Silver Award
$0
Bronze Award
Junior Divisions
Junior Unarmed · Junior Weapons
$0
Gold Award
plus one master-crafted short weapon
$0
Silver Award
$0
Bronze Award
All cash award amounts are listed pre-tax. For non-U.S. resident winners, U.S. federal tax law requires the awarding organization to withhold 30% tax and report to U.S. tax authorities. Tax filing and obtaining any refunds are the individual winner’s responsibility.
Scoring Criteria
Traditional Characteristics
All competition forms must conform to the traditional martial arts characteristics of the chosen style.
Style Authenticity
The style, characteristics, and depth of the demonstrated traditional martial arts form must not mix in other martial arts styles or use creative/hybrid forms. The Panel of Judges will evaluate each contestant’s performance according to the characteristics of the related martial arts style.
Correctness of Posture
The movements of the arms, eyes, head, body posture and form, footwork, hand patterns, step patterns, and body movement must meet the characteristics and style of the chosen martial arts form.
Coordination of Movements
The performance must show complete coordination of the hands, eyes, body method, footwork, spirit, energy, strength, and kung fu. These are essential requirements.
Clarity of Methods
The following methods must be presented clearly:
- The unique characteristics of traditional martial arts, including kicking, striking, and wrestling methods.
- Grappling methods within the fist form.
- Correct traditional weapon techniques, including striking, slashing, and related methods.
Natural Breathing
The performance should demonstrate smooth internal qi circulation extending outward, without breath-holding, forced breathing, or disconnection between qi and power.
Internal-External Harmony
The performance should demonstrate harmony between internal energy, external movement, and power, including hard and soft, gathering and releasing, advancing and retreating, and other qualities with clear traditional martial arts characteristics.
Spiritual Concentration
The performance should demonstrate the spiritual consciousness of traditional martial arts throughout the entire form, including qualities such as mightiness, bravery, focus, precision, yielding, evading, softening, following momentum, and distinguishing empty and solid. These qualities should be expressed with a positive spiritual manifestation rooted in martial virtue.
Clear Rhythm
The performance should show clear rhythm through the alternation of fast and slow movements, stillness and motion, urgency and ease, following the structure of the form and using martial skill to express the body’s sense of rhythm.
Guidelines for Traditional Forms
Forms must not include elements of Contemporary Competitive Wushu styles. The forms performed must conform to the traditional characteristics of the corresponding fist or weapon system. Only inherited forms may be performed. The content of the forms must conform to the mechanical principles and cultural connotations of traditional martial arts and demonstrate their spirit and values.
The broader meanings of traditional martial arts, including health preservation, fitness, self-defense, artistic appreciation, and self-cultivation, should also be reflected in the forms.
Martial Arts Etiquette
Contestants should wear traditional martial arts attire and salute the judges before and after performances, such as by bowing, performing baoquan, or pairing palms. Contestants should place martial virtue as the top priority and conduct themselves with proper etiquette. Any inappropriate behavior will result in disqualification from the competition.
Time Limit
Contestants must complete their forms within the stipulated or pre-approved time limit. Exceeding or falling short of the time limit will result in point deductions.
Final Interpretation
The Competition Panel of Judges reserves the right to the final interpretation of these competition rules.
Competition Information
01
Organizer and Judges
The competition is organized by New Tang Dynasty Television. The finals will be broadcast live globally via internet channels.
The panel of judges is composed of highly experienced traditional Chinese martial arts experts. The Organizing Committee has also invited masters from various martial arts systems to serve as consultants to the competition.
02
Accommodation and Transportation
The competition committee will recommend suitable U.S. hotels for contestants and accompanying personnel.
Contestants and accompanying personnel are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, and transportation costs.
03
Important Contestant Rules
By registering, contestants accept all provisions of the competition rules as valid.
Contestants must comply with all arrangements of the competition committee. If a contestant violates these arrangements, the competition committee has the right to cancel the contestant’s participation qualification and any awards received.
Award winners must attend the awards ceremony in person to receive awards. Awards cannot be received by proxy. Absent contestants will be deemed to have automatically forfeited their awards.
The Competition Panel of Judges’ decisions are final. No appeals will be accepted.
All audio and video copyrights of competition activities belong to New Tang Dynasty Television.
Contestants are personally responsible for any accidents occurring during the competition period.
The competition committee has final interpretation rights for the competition rules and has the right to modify competition regulations when necessary.
Official competition rules, updated December 2025.
Apply Now
Prepare your registration materials, select your category,
and complete your application before the official regional deadline