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The National Senior Games run from July 24 through Aug. 4 with competition in 25 different sports. More than 12,500 participants, including 400 from Wisconsin, ranging in age from 50 to over 100, are competing.

The Wisconsin Tai Chi Academy offers classes in Cedarburg, River Hills, Brookfield, Wauwatosa, and Whitewater.

Tracy Douglas, of Janesville, of the Wisconsin Tai Chi Academy, won one of its 7 gold medals in the age 55-59 Women’s Open Chuan Beginner category.

The other Wisconsin Tai Chi Academy gold medalists include:

• Sheila Quinnies, in the age 65-69 Women’s Open Chuan Beginner category
• Kerrie Hoffman, in the age 60-64 Women Open Chuan Intermediate category
• Ray Gates, in the age 50-54 Men’s Open Chuan Advanced category, in the age 50-54 Open Weapon (Non-Jian) Advanced category, and in the age 50-54 Men’s Sword (Jian) Advanced category.
• As a team, Gates, Hoffman, Quinnies and Douglas won a gold medal in the advanced group category.

In an interview, Douglas expressed satisfaction Tuesday with the achievement.

“This is the first time tai chi has been included in the National Senior Games, so to have won first place in the solo and group competitions is amazing,” Douglas said. “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 28, which was an incredible honor.”

Douglas shared her personal reasons for embracing tai chi.

“It helped me get back into moving my body more in a healthy way. I love how peaceful it makes me feel. I also deeply appreciate the martial arts aspect of it, which our instructor emphasizes,” she said. “I think that honors its rich history.”

Gates, founder and head instructor at the Wisconsin Tai Chi Academy, joined his three students in the competition.

Reflecting on the sport’s inclusion this year, Gates said “I honestly am not sure why it’s taken so long for tai chi to be added. I do know it’s not yet been added to the Olympics, so raising awareness and advocating for its inclusion is hugely important. They are talking about adding this to the Youth Olympics so that could be great to promote including it in the adult ones.”

“Competitions are a great way to enjoy tai chi and meet others in the tai chi community,” Gates continued. “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.”

Douglas said her top takeaway from the experience. “was being inspired and moved to see older people being committed to their health and continuing to see what’s possible for them. It’s incredibly inspiring and motivating.”

“I was glad to get to compete. I loved experiencing the supportive community of those who study and practice tai chi and I’m excited to spread the word about how fantastic tai chi is,” Douglas said.

More information about tai chi and the Wisconsin Tai Chi Academy is at .