Test performed by
Jon Bluming and
Wang Shujin in presence of
Donn F. Draeger. Unidentified date, probably in the 60s. Shujin was a tai chi master at his fourties, around 300 pounds in weight, while Bluming was a judoka in his twenties, 160-200 pounds and unknown rank (possibly shodan).
"Wang was known for his apparently indestructible belly. Possessed of a prodigious waistline, he would assume a taiji posture and invite anyone to strike at his abdomen, simply absorbing the blow no matter how large or powerful the aggressor. Draeger saw that this was a parlor trick of one sort or another and resolved to determine just how durable the man’s gut might be. Bluming recalls that he was invited to meet Wang at a private training hall where few could be witness to the spectacle. Because of the somewhat secretive nature of this meeting, a number of rumors have been generated over the years with all manner of variations on the basic idea that Wang and Bluming had an all-out fight. Bluming insists that this was not the case, explaining that, at first, Wang took his usual stance and allowed Bluming to punch him in the stomach. The Dutchman did so, with the usual results. At that time Bluming was focused much more on judo than karate, however, and they agreed that testing the European’s grip would be a better means of judging Wang’s powers. Gripping Wang’s shoulders (he was not wearing a judo uniform), Bluming was surprised when the taiji expert shot his belly forward, checking Bluming so hard that he was thrown ‘meters away’. There ended the meeting, with Bluming and Draeger walking away unconvinced that Wang would be of much use in a street altercation."