wushu

Wushu is a Chinese martial art that encompasses both traditional systems and the modern sport derived from them. It commonly refers to two main components: taolu, or forms, and sanda (also called sanshou), or sparring. Taolu involves choreographed routines performed solo or with weapons, while sanda is a full-contact combat sport that combines striking, kicking, throws, and grappling.

Origins and development: Wushu traces its roots to ancient Chinese martial arts used for self-defense, military training, and cultural expression. In the 20th century, the People’s Republic of China developed a standardized form of wushu to unify training and competition. The International Wushu Federation (IWUF) was established to coordinate worldwide competition, and the first World Wushu Championships were held in 1991. Since then, wushu has grown as a global sport and has been included in international multi-sport events, including the Asian Games.

Disciplines and competition: In taolu, athletes perform routines from a defined syllabus and are judged on factors such as speed, power, balance, accuracy, and degree of difficulty. Taolu events include bare-hand forms and weapon forms, with weapons such as the jian (straight sword), dao (sabre), staff, and spear. In sanda, competitors engage in regulated, full-contact bouts with protective gear, competing for points, knockdowns, or referee stoppage under established rules.

Governance and scope: Wushu is governed internationally by the IWUF and by national bodies, such as the Chinese Wushu Association. Practiced worldwide, it emphasizes athletic skill, discipline, and cultural tradition, while existing both as a traditional martial art and as a modern competitive sport.