Wushu
Chinesemartial arts are sometimes referred to by the Mandarin Chinese term wushu and popularly as Kung Fu.
Wushu (sport)
The sport of wushu is both an exhibition and a full-contact sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts. It was created in the People's Republic of China after 1949, in an attempt to nationalize the practice of traditional Chinese martial arts. Most of the modern competition forms (taolu) were formed from their parent arts (see list below) by government-appointed committees. In contemporary times, wushu has become an international sport through the International Wushu Federation (IWUF), which holds the World Wushu Championships every two years; the first World Championships were held in 1991 in Beijing and won by Yuan Wen Qing.
Competitive wushu is composed of two disciplines: taolu (forms) and sanda; (sparring). Taolu involve martial art patterns and maneuvers for which competitors are judged and given points according to specific rules. The forms comprise basic movements (stances, kicks, punches, balances, jumps, sweeps and throws) based on aggregate categories traditional Chinese martial art style and can be changed for competitions to highlight one's strengths. Competitive forms have time limits that can range from 1 minute, 20 seconds for some external styles to over five minutes for internal styles. Modern wushu competitors are increasingly training in aerial techniques such as 540 and 720 degree jumps and kicks to add more difficulty and style to their forms.
Sanda (sometimes called Sanshou or Lei Tai) is a modern fighting method and sport influenced by traditional Kung Fu. Chinese wrestling methods called Shuai jiao and other Chinese grappling techniques such as Chin Na. It has all the combat aspects of wushu. Sanda appears much like kickboxing or Muay Thai, but includes many more grappling techniques. Sanda fighting competitions are often held alongside taolu or form competitions.
EventsBarehanded
Changquan (Long Fist)
Nanquan (Southern Fist)
Tai chi chuan (Supreme Ultimate Fist)
Short Weapons
Dao (knife)
Jian (double-edged sword)
Taijijian (Taiji double-edged sword)
Nandao (Southern single-edged sword)
Long Weapons
Gun (Staff)
Qiang (Spear)
Nangun (Southern cudgel)
These events are performed using compulsory or individual routines in competition. Compulsory routines are those routines that have been already created for the athlete, resulting in each athlete performing basically the same set. Individual routines are routines that an athlete creates with the aid of his/her coach, while following certain rules for difficulty.
In addition to events for individual routines, some wushu competitions also feature dual and group events.
Baguazhang - Eight-Trigrams Palm
Bajiquan - Eight Extremes Fist/Boxing
Chaquan - Cha Fist/Boxing
Chuojiao- Poking Feet
Ditangquan - Ground-Prone Fist/Boxing
Fanziquan - Tumbling Fist/Boxing
HouQuan - Monkey Fist
Huaquan - Hua Fist/Boxing
Pao Chui - Cannon Punch
Piguaquan- Chop-Hitch Fist/Boxing
Shequan - Snake Fist
Tan Tui - Spring Leg
Tanglanghushi - Praying Mantis and Tiger Style
Tanglanquan - Northern Praying Mantis
Tongbeiquan - Through-the-Back Fist/Boxing
Wing Chun (Yongchunquan) - Eternal Spring
Xingyiquan- Shape-Intent Fist/Boxing
Yingzhuaquan - Eagle Claw Fist/Boxing
Zuiquan - Drunken Fist/Boxing
Tornado Poing - Tornado Fist (French Form of Wushu)
Similarly, there is also a traditional weapons category, which often includes the following:
Changsuijian - Long-Tasseled Sword
Shuangshoujian - Two-Handed Sword
Jiujiebian - Nine Section Whip
Sanjiegun - Three Section Staff
Shengbiao - Rope Dart
Dadao - Great Sword
Pudao) - Pu Sword
Emeici - Emei Daggers
Shuangdao - Double Broadsword
Shuangjian - Double Sword
Shuangbian - Double Nine Section Whips
Shuanggou - Double Hooksword