| What is Wushu? |
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Wushu (sometimes referred to as Kung-Fu or Kuoshu) is a cultural gem of the Chinese people with a history of more than 2500 years.While Wushu is a martial art, it has been practiced by the Chinese people as a means of self-defense as well as for physical, mental and spiritual improvement. Wushu's roots lie in the activities of primeval man, for hunting and survival, where basic armed and unarmed techniques were developed and employed. Wushu's development was furthered through the creation of armies and subsequent wars, as Wushu techniques were primarily used for military combat. From this, Wushu became popular amongst the common people of China, in which they combined martial skills along with different cultures, ideology, religions and uses to create the wide variety of colourful traditional Wushu styles that we have today. |
Traditional Wushu, which is the root of competitive wushu, has characteristics of China's traditional sports culture, and is practiced by broad masses of
people.
Over many generations, many different styles of traditional Wushu have developed, all with different aspects, but all emphasizing moral and ethical standards
that practitioners should follow.
Wushu Taolu refers to a set of connecting stylized movements such as kicking, hitting, wrestling , seizing etc which are choreographed according to
certain laws, embodying the physical connotation of attack and defense.
Wushu Sanshou refers to free combat contests between two people in which offensive and defensive techniques are employed, under certain laws.
At the beginning of the 20th century, many wushu groups and societies were formed, as interaction was seen as a method to further develop and spread
Chinese Wushu. In 1928, the Central Wushu Institute was established in Nanjing, and subsequently Wushu institutes were established in provinces,
cities and counties throughout China.
In 1956 the Chinese Wushu Association was established in Beijing, and Wushu became an official competition event in China.
Wushu is part of the physical education program in schools throughout China, and a Wushu Master's Degree was set up in 1984.
In 2001, the IWUF signed an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Changquan, is a collective term for many schools of northern Wushu including Chaquan, Huaquan, Paoquan etc. It features expansive, graceful and
unfolding postures, with agility and fast speed in movements.
Nanquan is a collective term for the popular schools of southern Wushu including Hongjiaquan, Liujiaquan, Mojiaquan, Caijiaquan, and Lijiaquan.
Nanquan features powerful exertion of force, with a low centre of gravity and steady footwork, a clear cut rhythm and is alive with attack and
defensive techniques.
Taijiquan, which includes different styles such as Chen, Yang, Wu, Sun and Wu Yuxiang, features soft, light and circular movements and is performed
at a slow speed often with a few explosive movements from different styles of Taijiquan. Taijiquan is graceful and beautiful to watch.
Daoshu is fast and vigorous in both attack and defense.
Jianshu is graceful, elegant, brisk, agile and natural in motion.
Gunshu primarily utilizes large-scope sweeping movements as well as chopping, swinging and jabbing along with jumps and leaps.
Qiangshu utilizes flexible body work, as well as light and agile footwork with quick speed and steady movements.
Nandao utilizes similar techniques to Daoshu, yet with Nanquan principles and style.
Nangun utilizes powerful cudgel techniques, rich with attack and defensive applications with Nanquan principles and style.
Taijijian features Jianshu techniques with Taiji principles.
Duilian is performed between 2 or 3 people, with or without weapons.
Wushu Sanshou is also a major event at World Wushu Championships and other major IWUF events.