2003 Press Releases and Articles

After every competition, the Chinese Martial Arts Center distributes Press Releases to media outlets in Central and South-Central Pennsylvania. Our 2003 press releases and newspaper clips follow.

For immediate release Contact: Jose Johnson, 717-580-8206

March 6, 2003 WushuPA@aol.com

Local martial arts team wins at World Martial Arts Competition

Harrisburg, PA—Three local Chinese martial arts athletes were among the winners at the Arnold Martial Arts World Games III, 28^th Arnold Battle of Columbus in Columbus, Ohio on February 28 and March 1 and 2.

Andrew Smeltz, of Harrisburg, won five gold medals in Men's Yang style, Chen style, 24 form Tai Chi, Tai Chi Weapons, and Baguazhang. Smeltz won a silver medal in 42 form Tai Chi and two bronze medals in Men's fixed and moving step Push Hands, Super Light Weight Division. Kevin Neidig, of Etters, won two gold medals in Men's fixed step Push Hands, Middle Weight Division and Men's Beginners Tai Chi Weapons and a bronze in Men's 24 form Tai Chi. Juli McGreevy, of Carlisle, won a gold medal in Women's Other style Tai Chi and three silver medals in Women's 24 form Tai Chi, Yang style, and fixed step Push Hands.

The event gets its name from Arnold Schwarzenegger, who attends every year. It serves as an extension of Schwarzenegger's personal mission for physical fitness and his former role as Chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness. The weekend included 12 competitions in bench press, cheerleading and dance, fitness and figure competitions, martial arts, bodybuilding, Olympic lifting, gymnastics, armwrestling, and strength competitions.

Tai Chi, or taiji, is the most commonly practiced martial art in the world. In the United States, most practitioners participate in it as a mild and healthful form of exercise, but in Asia it is well known as a self defense system as well as a competitive sport.

Smeltz, Neidig, and McGreevy are students of the Chinese Martial Arts Center in Harrisburg. "These athletes devote years to training for events that last three minutes, and then, win or lose, they start training all over again for the next event," said Jose Johnson, chief instructor of the Chinese Martial Arts Center. "Large tournaments, like the Arnold Battle of Columbus, are a test of skill, endurance, and adaptability." The Chinese Martial Arts Center has a history of training athletes who achieve national recognition. Johnson was the all-around champion at two major national Chinese martial arts competitions in 1995, the first person to win both in a single year. Since then, three of his students have won all-around champion status, including Smeltz who won Men’s all-around champion in 2002 and is currently the top ranked male tai chi athlete in the U.S.