The 2025 National Senior Games is coming in hot in Des Moines, Iowa and four Wisconsinites representing the Wisconsin Tai Chi Academy are helping to bring the fire by already bringing home 7 golds in their sport.

Tracy Douglas, who attends the WTCA at their Whitewater location in the Cravath Lakefront Community Center was especially gratified. “This is the first time Tai Chi has been included in the National Senior Games, so to have won 1st place in the solo and group competitions is amazing. It’s wonderful knowing I’ve been a small part of tai chi’s history while representing Wisconsin. I even got to be the Wisconsin flag bearer in the Celebration of Athletes parade on Monday, July 28th which was an incredible honor.”

Founder and Head Instructor at WTCA, Ray Gates, was excited to be participating in the Games this year with three of his students. “Competitions are a great way to enjoy Tai Chi and meet others in the Tai Chi community. It’s a very supportive community; people are more interested in seeing what other people do and how they do it as opposed to being competitive. Having said that, we’re still very happy to have brought some medals back to Wisconsin.”

Four WTCA participants were the first from Wisconsin to compete in this sport at the Games.

The four WTCA athletes competed in a Group competition, as well as solo men and women’s competitions. Gates also competed in Open Weapon and Sword solo competitions, as well.

WTCA Medals

Women’s 65-69 Open Chuan Beginner- Sheila Quinnies

Women’s 60-64 Open Chuan Intermediate- Kerrie Hoffman

Women’s 55-59 Open Chuan Beginner- Tracy Douglas

Men’s 50-54 Open Chuan Advanced- Ray Gates

Open 50-54 Weapon (Non-Jian) Advanced- Ray Gates

Men’s 50-54 Sword (Jian) Advanced- Ray Gates

Group Advanced- Ray Gates, Kerrie Hoffman, Sheila Quinnies, Tracy Douglas

The National Senior Games run July 24-Aug 4 and include competitions for 25 different sports. Over 12,500 participants, including 400 from Wisconsin, ages 50-100+ will compete during this two-week event. More information about the Tai Chi competition at NSG can be found at: https://nsga.com/tai-chi/.

Wisconsin Tai Chi Academy is celebrating their 10th year this year, and offers classes in Cedarburg, River Hills, Brookfield, Wauwatosa, and Whitewater. You can find out more about WTCA at: https://wisconsintaichiacademy.com/.

Editor’s note: The above press release was submitted by Tracy Douglas.