Simon Watson is the chairman of Longfei Taijiquan Association and President of the English Daoyin Yang Sheng Gong Association.
Simon’s martial arts journey began in 1969 at the Quinta club in Barnet learning Judo and competing for the London borough from the age of six through junior school until I was 12.  His father Richard Watson began teaching him Taijiquan in1974 and Simon along with his father studied Yang style Taijiquan with Master Chu King Hong for 17 years. He is one of only three disciples of Professor Li Deyin (Taijiquan) and 1 st generation disciple of professor Zhang Guangde (Daoyin Yang Sheng Gong). Simon captained the British Wushu Team for ten years and has enjoyed a successful career in domestic, European and World championships. He was undefeated Taijiquan champion for 10 years European gold and along with team mate Ray park among the only two European athletes to come 4th in the Baltimore world Wushu championships and we both secured a commonwealth bronze in the Malaysian world Wushu Championships.
In 2003 Simon was entered into the “Combat hall of fame” in recognition of his dedication to the development of Martial arts in the United kingdom and around the world. In 2019 he received his 7 th Duan from Beijing Sports University presented personally by professor Zhang Guangde for his 33 years commitment to Daoyin Yang Sheng Gong. On retirement from the competition arena Simon has for the last 33 years turned his passion towards teaching, coaching and promoting Chinese martial arts and has coached some of Britain’s most successful athletes gaining gold medals in Talou, Tuishou and Daoyin at both domestic, European and international levels.
Although I teach martial arts I have been a professional music teacher for nearly 40 years my philosophy and methods for teaching martial arts for the council is all encompassing, to share and impart Chinese martial arts with the correct spirit and with friendship, in which it has always been intended, with integrity and although I enjoy competition it is only a small area and therefore I encourage solidarity of all members allowing for the development and promotion of both the art and the individual, a way of learning the value of achievement and failure, of success and disappointment, of teamwork and friendship that holds no cultural, social or ethnic boundaries, a way in which an individual or indeed a team of individuals can express themselves in a positive and creative way, cultivating confidence and potential, that ultimately leads to higher standards of practice, understanding and improved physical and psychological health and wellbeing.