Interview with Sam Masich

Sam Masich is one of the most accomplished mid-generation practitioners of Chinese internal martial arts in the world today. Having trained and taught for a quarter century, Masich has studied with several of the great masters of his era from both North America and China including Liang Shouyu, Dr. Yang Jwing Ming, Jou Tsung Hwa, Yang Zhenduo and Chen Xiaowang. He has taught around the world and is the subject of two internationally airing documentaries. Sam has made some 20 films on Tai Chi and Neijia related subjects. Sam is one of the most recorded internal martial artists of all time. He has been filmed in countless demonstrations, competitions and classes and was the first instructor to publish a video instructional manual on the subject of Push Hands. Through Little Productions, he has produced over 20 instructional films on subjects such as Taijiquan, Push Hands, Qigong and Xingyiquan and has several major instructional video works in development. Sam has served as a martial arts action consultant, trainer and choreographer on various TV programs and stage productions, and is himself the subject of two documentaries on Taijiquan and the internal arts. He is currently working on a feature length documentary entitled 'Tai Chi People'. Masich has distinguished himself in competition as a quadruple and septuple gold medallist in national competitions and was a member of the Canadian National Chinese Martial Arts Team competing in China at The World Wushu Invitationals in 1985. In 1994, although formally retired from competition, he was awarded seven gold medals for performances in the Shanghai Oberon Cup, an event involving athletes from more than twenty countries. Since 1989 Masich has refereed and judged in national tournaments and has held a steady position as Chief Referee for Push Hands in the U.S. All Taijiquan Championships.