Wushu (sport)

10th all china games Jian pair 406 cropped

Wushu dao

Lutadores de Wushu competiram em Ceilândia pelo título Brasiliense

Championnat national du 13 & 14 juin 2009

Wushu (Chinese: 武术), also known as Kung Fu, is a modern sport developed from traditional Chinese martial arts. It is both an exhibition and a full-contact sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts. Wushu was created in the People's Republic of China after 1949, in an effort to standardize the practice of traditional Chinese martial arts, yet its roots date back thousands of years, encompassing a wide range of Chinese martial arts styles and techniques.

History

The term "Wushu" is made up of two Chinese characters: "武" (Wu), which means "martial" or "military," and "术" (Shu), which means "art." Traditional Chinese martial arts were deeply influenced by Chinese philosophy, including Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism, integrating the concepts of harmony between mind and body, and between individuals and their environment. In the 20th century, with the aim of promoting Chinese culture and national spirit, the Chinese government began efforts to standardize the various schools of martial arts into a unified form for sports purposes. This led to the establishment of Wushu as a competitive sport, which has been promoted internationally by the International Wushu Federation (IWUF) since its foundation in 1990.

Styles and Disciplines

Wushu is divided into two main disciplines: Taolu (套路) and Sanda (散打).

• Taolu involves martial art patterns and maneuvers for which competitors are judged and given points according to specific rules. The routines can be either traditional or modern, and they include a wide range of styles, such as Changquan (Long Fist), Nanquan (Southern Fist), Taijiquan (Tai Chi), and weapons routines involving the jian (sword), dao (saber), gun (staff), and qiang (spear).

• Sanda, also known as Sanshou, is a modern fighting method and sport influenced by traditional Chinese boxing, Chinese wrestling methods called Shuai Jiao, and other Chinese grappling techniques. It is a full-contact sport that includes punches, kicks, throws, and sweeps.

Competitions and Recognition

Wushu competitions are held worldwide and feature both Taolu and Sanda disciplines. The sport gained international attention when it was featured as a demonstration sport in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Although it has not yet been included as an official Olympic sport, the IWUF continues to campaign for its inclusion in future Olympic Games.

Wushu tournaments include the World Wushu Championships, held every two years under the auspices of the IWUF, and the Wushu Tournament Beijing, which is considered one of the premier events for the sport. National and regional competitions also play a crucial role in the development and promotion of Wushu around the world.

Cultural Impact

Wushu is not only a sport but also a cultural practice that promotes fitness, self-discipline, and the martial arts spirit. It has influenced popular culture globally, with elements of Wushu being incorporated into films, television shows, and video games. Notable practitioners such as Jet Li and Donnie Yen have helped popularize Wushu and Chinese martial arts worldwide.

See Also

• Martial arts
• Kung Fu
• Chinese martial arts
• International Wushu Federation