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Steven Li

@stevesjournal

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Shaolin Temple (少林寺）
Former USA Wushu Taolu Team Member (2011-2013)
-Traditional Shaolin Kung Fu
-Modern Wushu
-Kickboxing
Host of @usashaolinopen

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What a weekend!!!

The 2026 USA Shaolin Open (USASO) was a massive success! This year, we exceeded the standard set by the 2024 USA Shaolin Open.

More competitors. More participation. A larger community coming together under one roof.

None of this would have been possible without the incredible love and support of our martial arts community and especially the team that worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make it happen.

To our USASO team:

John Burns @jburns08
Allen Peng @apeng13
Yenvy Chau @yenyen_chau
Junhong Chon @junhongs_kungfu_club
Veronica Thai
Bryan Kao @aznbrybry
Sebastian Thao @tee.haoe4
Jasper Ng @jynjpng
Kyle Wong @_karrr_
Mike Zhu @mike.73583
Ginny Lam @glamzhu
John Huang @johnleninja
Max Charles @maxfcharles
Paul Sahertian @sahertian_afl
Dusty Schmidt @5footwu
Hannah Stark @thoughtsofhana
Colleen Walls @that.kung.fu.girl

Thank you. Every one of you helped make the 2026 USA Shaolin Open what it became.

We were also deeply honored to welcome our distinguished guests and Masters:

Grandmaster Mak Hin Fai
Gao Song
Shi Yanxu
Shi Yanyi
Jason Wong
Wang Meiying

Thank you for standing with us, sharing your knowledge and experience, and helping us continue to carry Chinese Martial Arts forward.

And to every competitor, volunteer, Shifu, coach, parent, family member, school, and supporter who joined us thank you for believing in what we are building.

Seeing so many schools, styles, lineages, and generations standing together reminded us exactly why this tournament and its team was created.

Different schools. Different styles. Different generations. One martial community!

In 2024, we started something.

In 2026, together, we broke our own records and showed just how much this community has grown.

And we are only getting started.

There is much more to come.

The banner was carried to us.
Now we carry it forward.

Honouring Tradition through Modern Execution. Unyielding Valor.
以武会友

Steven Li
USA Shaolin Open (USASO)
Founder/CEO

#chinesemartialarts #kungfu #usashaolinopen #wushu usashaolinopen2026 taken in CU Denver Wellness & Recreation Services by @stevesjournal

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a day ago

Steven Li - The Black Myth Himself

What started out as an idea from two guys knocking back a few cold ones. Why is it that athletes have to pay so much to do something they invest all their time and energy into it. KUNGFU should be for everyone. Why are there walls that keep the information in only for select groups, why is there so much fighting, why all the glam and shiny trinkets. We lose sight of kungfu, but in My Kungfu Tournament we will bring back what is important.

Here we are 4 years later, helping athletes get sponsorships to compete at team trials, raising money from our tournament so the grand champions can compete at other competitions, spreading our kungfu knowledge back to the community because we too have earned the right to give back. We are not just building another tournament, it’s more than that. We’re building a community that lifts each other up but pushes you to your full potential, calls you slow but helps you become faster, provides the means to bring out the kungfu warrior within and let you shine on the biggest stage.

Thank you @stevesjournal. No matter 70+ miles or sharing a drink in the seat next to me, you’ve done so much already to help this community whether people admit it or not.

Let’s make Kungfu Great again! Come for the competition, but stay for the vibes!

Huge props to @yenyen_chau for all the incredible edits
And @jburns08 for providing the canvas for this USASO

#wushulife #wuxia #shaolinkungfu #blackmyth #kungfuworld by @stevesjournal

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8 days ago

Harmony in Chaos: USASO 2026 Grand Champion

Peace and Strength
Two Sides of You. One State of Mind.

Life isn’t about choosing between serenity and struggle. It’s about knowing when to slow down, and when to stand firm. This grand champion trophy captures that balance in a single, intentional form.

Peace: Serenity, compassion, and quiet wisdom. A mindset of clarity, presence, and calm focus.
Strength: Resilience, grit, and the will to protect. A foundation of grounding and inner stability.
Two qualities. One state of mind.

Balance doesn’t need noise. Peace and strength can exist as one. Sign up today to fight to take one of these amazing trophies home!

October 2-4, 2026
Denver, CO

Trophies sponsored by ShaolinMart
Medal Design Team:
Yenvy Chau @yenyen_chau
Anonymous
Jessica Liu @crab.milk
Thaomi Chau

#shaolinkungfu #denvercolorado #wushuchampionship #kungfuworld #grandchampion taken in Denver Shaolin Kung Fu Tai Chi Institute by @stevesjournal

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a month ago

The USASO Team was honored to present the original Lion Dance King of Hong Kong, Grandmaster Mak Hin Fai with a Lifetime Achievement award on his 75th Birthday.

Grandmaster Mak Hin Fai began teaching Kungfu in Seattle Chinatown in 1974. He was one of the original pioneers of Chinese Martial Arts in USA.

Today, even though retired from teaching, he remains committed to the mission of promoting Chinese Martial Arts here in the USA.

Grandmaster Mak Hin Hai, will be a VIP guest and advisor to the 2026 USA Shaolin Open, specifically our Lion Dance Competition in Denver, CO!

#liondance #kungfumaster #choyleefut #seattle #hongkong

Credit @yenyen_chau for this bday edit! taken in Seattle, Washington by @stevesjournal

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a month ago

EAST CLOUD KUNGFU PRESENTS:
A two-day intensive for intermediate and advanced practitioners - covering both modern competitive Wushu and traditional Wushu foundations. Sharpen your technique, expand your movement vocabulary, and train at a level that separates good Wushu from great Wushu.

INSTRUCTOR
Steven Li — 20+ years of Shaolin Kung Fu & Wushu experience. Trained under Shi Xingying (32nd Gen Shaolin Warrior Monk), Luo Minghan (Former Hubei Wushu Team Member), and Zhao Qingjian (2008 Olympic Wushu Gold Medalist). USA Wushu Team Member and the host/founder of the USA Shaolin Open (USASO) tournament and competition team. As well as a US combat veteran. His coaching is built on discipline, precision, and real-world excellence.
Instagram: @stevesjournal

EVENT DETAILS
Dates: August 8 & 9, 2026
Host: East Cloud Kungfu
Level: Intermediate to Advanced Practitioners
Focus: Modern Wushu (competitive technique) + Traditional Wushu (forms & principles)

WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Intermediate & advanced Wushu practitioners
Competitors looking to sharpen modern Wushu technique
Practitioners seeking deeper roots in traditional forms & body mechanics

Spots are limited. If you’re serious about your Wushu, this is the weekend to invest in it.
SECURE YOUR SPOT — REGISTER NOW link in bio

#kungfu #wushu #seminar #eastcloudkungfu #martialarts by @stevesjournal

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2 months ago

Happy Birthday to Allen Peng! @apeng13 🎉

Today we celebrate not only a great martial artist, but one of the original founders of the USA Shaolin Open.

As Executive Officer and second-in-command of USASO, Allen has been instrumental in shaping the organization from the very beginning. From overseeing public relations and social media to managing the day-to-day operations that keep everything moving forward, his dedication and professionalism have helped transform USASO into the movement it is today.

Beyond USASO, Allen has continually given back to the greater martial arts community through his leadership, mentorship, and passion for preserving and advancing Chinese martial arts.

Thank you for your countless contributions, your friendship, and your unwavering commitment to our shared vision.

On behalf of the entire USASO family, we wish you a very Happy Birthday and another year of health, success, and continued impact.

Happy Birthday, Allen! 🎂

Credit: @yenyen_chau

Tradition. Modern Execution. Unyielding Valor.

#wushu #kungfu #martialarts #shaolin by @stevesjournal

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3 months ago

All Paths Lead to One

No matter the reason you practice, the level you wish to achieve, we are all building towards the same goal. The best kungfu that we can do. We come from all walks of life, but with hard work we prove to ourselves that we can push ourselves to greater limits than we ever imagined.

Step up to the challenge at USA Shaolin Open 2026
Denver, Colorado
October 2-4, 2026

Edit by @yenyen_chau

#shaolin #wushu #kungfufamily #taichi #kungfuworld by @stevesjournal

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4 months ago

USA Shaolin Open Merch is here!

Seamlessly satisfying, check out the merch you’ll want to show off to let them know you were at the USASO. It’s not the Temu version, it’s made in the USA.

Apparel is going to be pickup at the tournament only so pre-order today!
$35 for the t-shirt
$45 for the hoodie

Credit @dunior.draws @yenyen_chau by @stevesjournal

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4 months ago

USA Shaolin Open 2026 Divisions Announcement

Kungfu is a journey with many paths, as each martial artist has their own reason to train, you all find the style that represents your goal and we are inclusive of all. To help you rise to the next level and show the world the champion in you, but to prove to yourself that you are a champion.

Register today to lock in the next milestone of your Kungfu journey!

October 2-4, 2026 Link in Bio!

#wushu #kungfu #shaolin #taichi #liondance taken in Denver, Colorado by @stevesjournal

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5 months ago

Many have asked and we are here to answer.
USA Shaolin Open is back and in full force. Now is the time to channel your inner Shaolin Warrior spirit from the Songshan mountains and meet the fiercest competitors to become the grand champion.

This years divisions will include Modern Wushu, Songshan Shaolin, Traditional Kungfu, Taichi, Wing Chun, Sanda, a new Lion dance division and more. We have an action packed weekend prepared, the only question is will You be ready for the challenge?

October 2-4, 2026
Denver, CO

We’ll see you there!

#wushutaolu #wushusanda #shaolinkungfu #taichiqigong #denvercolorado taken in Denver Shaolin Kung Fu Tai Chi Institute by @stevesjournal

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5 months ago

When @apeng13 and I embarked on creating the USA Shaolin Open (USASO) tournament, we did not expect it to turn into a family of skilled martial artists all across USA coming together and uniting with a singular goal. To share, promote, and educate the world what high level/world class Chinese Martial Arts looks like.

@usashaolinopen has continued to maintain and exceed the standard on everything we do. The week before Christmas, we decided to branch out and compete at @justin_benedik 's @presidential_wushu_cup sanctioned by the @usawkf

@yenyen_chau @tee.haoe4 and @stevesjournal took home 3 Grand Champion titles in their respective categories and age group. This marks the first time in over 10 years that @stevesjournal stepped back onto the competition carpet.

@sahertian_afl and @zihan.cai.3 once again proves that they belong on the carpet competing at the highest level in this sport. Both held their own against some of USA's finest Wushu athletes. The logistics work provided by @apeng13 and watching him judge Junior Team Trials was top notch. Exceeding the @usashaolinopen standards of leadership.

Special thanks to @5280shaolin @junhongs_kungfu_club @_karrr_ @jspr_ng05 @itsrichard._ @5footwu @shaolintempleculturalcenter and @nationalmartialartsacademy for your all's friendship and continued support in our team and what we do. The gang will all be together soon!

It was great seeing old friends again and making new ones.

Here's to a epic 2025 finish and a strong start in 2026. 加油!!!

Thank you everyone for your continued support in what we do!

#wushu #kungfu #martialarts by @stevesjournal

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9 months ago

Mind & Body in Harmony!
At Shaolin Summer Camp, kids train like young warriors—building strength, focus, and confidence through Kung Fu, and sharpening strategy and patience through Chess ♟️.

This is more than just a camp—it’s a journey of growth, fun, and self-mastery.

#ShaolinSummerCamp #KungFuKids #ChessAndKungFu #MindBodyDiscipline #5280shaolin taken in Denver Shaolin Kung Fu Tai Chi Institute by @stevesjournal

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a year ago