J.S. FLETCHER: A SHORT HISTORY

James Strider Fletcher was born in Sydney, Australia in 1973 and moved to the U.K. 3 years later. His love affair with Chinese matial arts started at the age of 14 when he began training in classical WuShu with Zeron Gary Gibson.

During the next 3 years he came into contact with Simon Biddleston, a fellow WuShu practitioner who had just returned from the Shanghai Physical Institute where he had been learning Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan, consisting of two forms: Lao Jia (old frame) Yi lu (1st routine) and Er lu (2nd routine). After James saw Mr Biddleston practicing these forms he became a student of his until 4 years later, upon completion of both forms, they parted company.

From 1993 until 2004 James’ training became more orientated towards reality based, or “street fighting”
systems and he trained with various teachers of Wing Chun, Jeet Kun Do, Muay Thai, Penjak Silat and
Escrima.

During this time he had moved and settled down in Utrecht, The Netherlands. In August 2004 he was
fortunate enough to attend a 12 day workshop in Chen Style Xinyi Hunyuan Tai Chi Chuan, held by it’s creator, Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang, his daughter Xiufang Feng and Master Tzelin Tzo. The host for this monumental event was Master Chen Liansheng, who eventually accepted James as his student shortly afterwards.

Since then James has attended weekly lessons with Master Chen and various workshops organised by him with Master Houchen Pan, Master Luo Liwei and Master Chen Zhongua. In Jan. 2007 James attended the 1st International Hunyuan Taiji Exchange Convention in Beijing, celebrating Grandmaster Feng’s 80th birthday.