Wushu is
a martial art and a full-contact sport derived
from traditional Chinese martial arts. It was developed
in China after
1949, in an effort to standardize the practice of traditional Chinese martial
arts. The term wushu is Chinese for
"martial arts" (武 "Wu" =
military or martial, 术 "Shu" =
art).
In India, most of the wushu players
are from north eastern states.
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 involves martial art patterns
and manoeuvres 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 of
traditional Chinese martial art styles.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-, 720-, and even 900-degree jumps and kicks, to
add more difficulty and style to their forms.
Sanda (sometimes
called sanshou)
is a modern fighting method and sport influenced by traditional Chinese boxing, Chinese wrestling
methods.It has all the combat aspects of wushu.
In addition to events for individual
routines, some wushu competitions also feature dual and group events.
The dual event, also called duilian, is an event in which there is
some form of sparring with weapons, or without weapons or even using bare hands
against weapons. The dual event is usually spectacular and actions are
choreographed beforehand. The group event, also known as jiti,
requires a group of people to perform together and smooth synchronization of
actions are crucial. Usually, the group event also allows instrumental music to
accompany the choreography during the performance.
After 2003 Wushu World Games
in Macau it
was decided to opt for individual routines in international competition
with nandu (难度; difficulty movements)
integrating a maximum 2 point nandu score into the overall maximum score of 10.
Barehanded
Chángquán (Long
Fist) refers to long-range extended wushu styles like Chāquán , Huaquan ,
Hongquan ("flood fist"), and Shaolinquan ,
but this wushu form is a modernized style derived from movements of these and
other traditional styles. Changquan is the most widely seen of the wushu forms, and
includes speed, power, accuracy, and flexibility. All nandu movements must be
made within 4 steps or it will not count for nandu points.
Nanquan (Southern
Fist) refers to wushu styles originating in south China.
Many are known for vigorous, athletic movements with very stable, low stances
and intricate hand movements; form is a modern style derived from movements of
these. This event was created in 1960. All nandu movements must be made within
4 steps or it will not count for nandu points.
Taijiquan is
a wushu style mistakenly famous for slow, relaxed movements, often seen as an
exercise method for the elderly, and sometimes known as "T'ai chi" in
Western countries to those otherwise unfamiliar with wushu. Competitive
contemporary taiji is distinct from the traditional first form for styles it
draws from, in that it typically involves difficult holds, balances, jumps and
jump kicks.
Short
weapons
Dao (刀 or
knife) refers to any curved, one-sided sword/blade, but this wushu form is
a Changquan method
of using a medium-sized willow-leaf-shaped dao (柳葉刀/柳叶刀).
Nandao (南刀 or
Southern Style knife) refers to a form performed with a curved, one sided
sword/blade based on the techniques of Nanquan. In the Wushu form, the blade
has been lengthened and changed so that only one is used. This event was
created in 1992.
Jian (劍/剑 or
double-edged sword) refers to any double-edged straight sword/blade, but this
wushu form is a Changquan method of using the jian.
Taijijian (太極劍/太极剑 or
Taiji double-edged sword) is an event using the jian based on
traditional Taijiquan jian methods.
Long
weapons
Gun (棍 or
staff) refers to a long staff (shaped from white wax wood)
as tall as the wrist of a person standing with his/her arms stretched upwards,
but this wushu form is a Changquan method of using the white wax wood staff.
Nangun (南棍 or
Southern cudgel) is a Nanquan method of using the staff. This event was created
in 1992.
Qiang (槍/枪 or
spear) refers to a flexible spear with red horse hair attached to the
spearhead, but this wushu form is a Changquan method
of using the qiang.
Sanda (sparring)
The other major
discipline of contemporary Chinese Wushu is Sǎndǎ, or Yùndòng Sǎndǎ-
Sport Free-Fighting, or Jìngzhēng Sàndǎ-Competitive Free-Fighting: A
modern fighting method, sport, and applicable component of Wushu / Kung Fu
influenced by traditional Chinese Boxing, of which takedowns & throws are
legal in competition, as well as all other sorts of striking (use of arms &
legs).
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. Sanda
represents the modern development of Lei Tai contests, but with rules in place
to reduce the chance of serious injury.
