Wushu (sport)

Wushu
Also known asKung fu, CMA, WS
FocusStriking, Grappling, Throwing, Performance Martial Art
Country of originChina
Famous practitionersSee: Category:Wushu practitioners
Sport
Highest governing bodyInternational Wushu Federation
First playedChina
Characteristics
ContactDependent on type of Wushu
Team membersIndividuals or Team
Mixed-sexYes
TypeMartial art
VenueTaolu Carpet or Lei Tai (fighting arena)
Presence
Country or regionWorldwide
Olympic(Unofficial Sport) 2008
World Championshipsinaugurated 1991
World Games(Invitational Sport) 2009, 2013, 2022
Wushu
Traditional Chinese武術
Simplified Chinese武术
Literal meaning"Martial arts"

Wushu (traditional Chinese: 武術; simplified Chinese: 武术; pinyin: wǔshù) (/ˌwˈʃ/), or kung fu, is a competitive Chinese martial art. It integrates concepts and forms from various traditional and modern Chinese martial arts, including Shaolin kung fu, tai chi, and Wudangquan.[1] "Wushu" is the Chinese term for "martial arts" (武 "Wu" = combat or martial, 術 "Shu" = art), reflecting the art's goal as a compilation and standardization of various styles.[1]

Wushu is practiced both through forms, called taolu, and as a full-contact combat sport, known as sanda.[2][3] It has a long history of Chinese martial arts and was developed in 1949 to standardize the practice of traditional Chinese martial arts,[4] though attempts to structure the various decentralized martial arts traditions date back earlier when the Central Guoshu Institute was established at Nanjing in 1928.

In contemporary times, wushu has become an international sport under the International Wushu Federation (IWUF), which holds the World Wushu Championships every two years. Wushu is an official event at the Asian Games, East Asian Youth Games, Southeast Asian Games, World Combat Games, and in various other multi-sport events.

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Lorge was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Liu, Melinda (18 February 2010). "Kung Fu Fighting for Fans". Newsweek. Archived from the original on 30 August 2008.
  3. ^ Wren, Christopher (11 September 1983). "Of monks and martial arts". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  4. ^ Fu, Zhongwen (2006) [1996]. Mastering Yang Style Taijiquan. Louis Swaine. Berkeley, California: Blue Snake Books. ISBN 1-58394-152-5.