Wushu, modern wushu, and contemporary wushu often refer to the modern recompilations of traditional wushu forms created in the People's Republic of China. These are practiced as a demonstration sport, much like gymnastics, and judged and given points according to specific rules. Originally practiced just in the PRC, the contemporary wushu forms have now spread all over the world through the International Wushu Federation, which holds the World Championships of Wushu every two years; the first World Championships were held in 1991 in Beijing.
Events
Similar to gymnastics, there are separate events, the main ones being:
- Barehanded
- Changquan (Long Fist)
- Nanquan (Southern Fist)
- Taijiquan (Taiji Fist)
- Short Weapons
- Dao (Broadsword)
- Jian (Straightsword)
- Taijijian (Taiji Straightsword)
- Nandao (Southern Broadsword)
- Long Weapons
- Gun (Staff)
- Qiang (Spear)
- Nangun (Southern Staff)
Most events were first set up in 1958.
Barehanded
Changquan refers to long-range extended wushu styles like Chaquan, Huaquan, Hongquan, and Shaolinquan, but this wushu form is a modernised style derived from movements of these and other traditional styles. Changquan is the most widely-seen of the wushu forms, and includes whirling, running, leaping, and acrobatics. Changquan is difficult to perform, requiring great flexibility and athleticism, and is often practiced from a young age.
Nanquan refers to wushu styles originating in south China (that is, south of the Yangtze River), including Hongjiaquan, Cailifoquan, and Yongchunquan. Many are known for vigorous, athletic movements with very stable, low stances and intricate hand movements. This wushu form is a modern style derived from movements of these and other traditional southern styles. Nanquan typically requires less flexibility and has fewer acrobatics than Changquan, but it also requires greater leg stability and power generation through leg and hip coordination. This event was created in 1960.
Taijiquan is a wushu style famous for slow, relaxed movements, and often seen as an exercise method for old people. This wushu form is based on the Yang style of Taijiquan, including movements of the Chen, Wu, and Sun styles.
Short Weapons
Dao 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.
Jian refers to any double-edged straight sword/blade, but this wushu form is a Changquan method of using the jian.
Taijijian is an event using the jian based on traditional Taijiquan jian methods.
Nandao is a weapon that appears to be based on the butterfly swords of Yongchunquan, but has been lengthened and changed so that only one is used (as opposed to a pair). This event is a Nanquan method, and was created in 1992.
Long Weapons
Gun refers to a long staff slightly less tall than the user with his arms stretched up, but this wushu form is a Changquan method of using the gun.
Qiang refers to a flexible spear with red hair attached to the spearhead, but this wushu form is a Changquan method of using the qiang.
Nangun is a Nanquan method of using the gun. This event was created in 1992.
Routines
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 their coach, while following certain rules for difficulty and number of acrobatics.
Previously, international wushu competitions used compulsory routines, while high-level competitions in China used individual routines. However, after the 2003 Wushu World Games in Macau it was decided to opt for individual routines in international competition with nandu (difficulty movements) added for additional point bonuses.
There is some controversy concerning the inclusion of nandu in wushu because many of the movements created for the specific events are not originally movements used in those styles. In addition, the number of injuries which have resulted from the addition of these nandu have caused many people to question their inclusion.
Those who support the new difficulty requirements follow the assertion that they help to progress the sport and improve the overall physical quality of the athletes.
Other Forms
Another modern form of wushu is called sanda (sometimes called sanshou), which is a modern fighting method and sport influenced by both traditional Chinese boxing and wrestling and methods of other countries. Sanda appears much like kickboxing or Muay Thai, but includes many more throwing techniques. Sanda fighting competitions are often held alongside taolu or form competitions.
The IWuF's bid to have wushu included in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing has not met with success, however it is still the hope of wushu practitioners around the world to see it included in the Olympic games at some point in the future.
