Sports Wushu
Wushu (武術 or 武术; pinyin: wǔshù ) literally means "martial art". It is commonly used much the same way as the popular term kung fu, referring specifically to Chinese martial arts, but is in China also used as a general term for any martial art. Today, many also use wushu, modern wushu, sports wushu or contemporary wushu as a name for the modern styles of Chinese martial arts that are practiced solely for exhibition and competition.
While Sports Wushu is composed of two disciplines: taolu (套路, forms) and sanshou (散手, sparring), typically the use of the term wushu refers to the taolu sport, and the term sanshou refers specifically to the sparring discipline.
Sports 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. The forms comprise basic movements (stances, kicks, punches, balances, jumps and sweeps) particular to a traditional Chinese martial art style and can be changed for competitions to highlight one's strengths. Competitive forms can vary in length from 1 minute, 30 seconds for the hard styles to over five minutes for internal styles.
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Changquan (Long Fist Boxing 长拳) refers to long-range extended wushu styles like Chaquan (查拳), Huaquan (華拳), Hongquan (洪拳), and Shaolinquan (少林拳), but the wushu event is a modern style derived from movements of these and other traditional styles. Changquan is the most widely-seen of the wushu events, 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 (Southern Style Boxing 南拳) refers to wushu styles originating in south China (i.e., south of the Yangtze river 长江), including Hongjiaquan (洪家拳), Cailifoquan (蔡李佛拳), and Yongchunquan (詠春拳). Many are known for vigorous, athletic movements with very stable, low stances and intricate hand movements. The wushu event is a modern style derived from movements of these and other traditional southern styles. Nanquan requires less flexibility than Changquan, has fewer acrobatics, and is thus easier for young adults to practice. This event was created in 1960.
Taijiquan (Tai'chi 太极拳) is a wushu style famous for slow, relaxed movements, and often seen as an exercise method for old people. The wushu event is a modern recompilization based on the Yang (楊) style of Taijiquan, but also including movements of the Chen (陳), Wu (吳), Wu/HaoWu(武), and Sun (孫) styles.
Dao (Broadsword 刀) refers to any curved, one-sided sword/blade, but the wushu event is a Changquan method of using a medium-sized willow-leaf-shaped dao (柳葉刀).
Jian (Sword 剑) refers to any double-edged straight sword/blade, but the wushu event is a Changquan method of using the jian.
Gun 棍 refers to a long staff slightly less tall than the user with his arms stretched up, but the wushu event is a Changquan method of using the gun.
Qiang (Spear 枪) refers to a flexible spear with red hair attached to the spearhead, but the wushu event is a Changquan method of using the qiang.
Taijijian (Ta'chi Sword 太极剑) is an event using the jian based on traditional Taiji methods.
Nandao (Southern Style Saber 南刀) is a weapon that appears to be based on the butterfly swords of Wing Chun (咏春), 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.
Nangun (Southern Style Cudgel 南棍) is a Nanquan method of using the gun. This event was created in 1992.
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 his/her coach, while following certain rules for difficulty, number of acrobatics, etc.
International wushu competitions most often use compulsory routines, while high-level competitions in China most often use individual routines. A single event will not use both compulsory and individual routines, but one or the other.