Overview
Wushu is the Mandarin term for martial arts with the character “Wu,” meaning military, and the “Shu,” meaning art. Wushu is an ancient form of combat that has evolved into a popular performing art and sport in China. Though wushu taken literally includes all martial arts it is current more strictly defined as a particular form which focuses on artistic display combined with appropriate combat application.
Characteristics
Wushu is a very physical sport requiring strength, flexibility and balance. There is a focus on flying kicks, rolling techniques and fluid movements coupled with the artistic and functional use of the bare hands or weaponry.
Styles
There are many styles of wushu with the main bare handed ones being Taijiquan (Taiji Quan), Changquan (Long Fist) and the Nanquan (Southern Fist). Other styles include many than use short or long weapons.
Weaponry
Weapons used in the martial arts include the Dao, which is a curved single edged sword, the Nandoa which is the Southern one-sided sword, the double-edged Taijijian sword and another double-edged sword called Jian, which is a straight weapon. The various long weapons consist of the gun which is a long staff, the Qiang which is a flexible spear with red horse hair, and the Southern Staff called Nangun.
Benefits
Wushu performed appropriately is sport and art for all ages. It is beneficial in strengthening the body, improving overall health, developing self discipline and providing recreation and competition.
Competitions
There are two main categories of wushu completion being Taolu and Sanda. Taolu is based on specific routines, while Sanda is classified as free sparring. Taolu has solo routines, which include bare hand performing and the use of weapons. These routines are arranged prior to the competition. Sanda is focused specifically on combat in which participants engage in sparring on a raised platform. The winner is decided based on knockouts or the judges’ scoring. In summary, Taolu concentrates on the aesthetic display, while Sanda is based on efficiently overcoming the rival.
Potential
Wushu has become an international sport with growing popularity. Its competitions are no longer sequestered to China. Wushu became a medal sport in 1990 in the Asian Games. There was also applications for Wushu to become an Olympic medal sport in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but the International Olympic Committee denied the bid. China intends to continue vying for wushu to become an official sport in the Olympics in the future.
Jet Li
Perhaps the most commercially successful and famous practitioner of wushu is Jet Li. He is a five-time National Wushu Champion having belonged to the Beijing wushu team. He has appeared in films including “Shaolin Temple” and is recognized around the world.
About this Author
Lisa Mooney has been a professional writer for the past 18 years. She has worked with various clients including many Fortune 500 companies such as Pinkerton Inc. She has written for many publications including Woman’s World, Boy’s Life and Dark Horizons. Mooney holds bachelor’s degrees in both English and biology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
