Wu-style Taiji boxing was created by Quan You (1834-1902)who lived at Daxing in Hebei Province (now under Beijing Municipality).Quan You was of the Manchu nationality of China. He learned Taiji Quan from Yang Luchan and later followed Yangˋs second son Yang Banhou to study the short program. Quan You was known for his ability to soften his movements. Quanˋs son Jianquan changed his family name to Wu as he was brought up as a Han national. Wu Jianquan (1870-1942) inherited and disseminated a style of Taiji which is comfortable and upright. His style is continuous and ingenious and because his routine does not require jumps and leaps. it spread far and wide among common people. Since this style of Taiji Quan was disseminated by the Wu family. it became known as the Wu-style Taiji boxing.
Wushu Festival
Wu Yuxiang Style of Taiji Quan Wu Yuxiang (1812-1880) was the creator of another style of the Taiji Quan. A Yongnian resident in Hebei. Wu Yuxiang learned the ABCˋs of Taiji from fellow provincial Yang Luchan. In 1852. Wu Yuxiang went to work for his brother at Wuyang. On his way to Wuyang. he learned the new routine of Taiji Quan from Chen Qingping and mastered it. At his brotherˋs home. Wu Yuxiang got hold of a transcript of Wang Zongyueˋs On Taiji Quan. So upon returning home. Wu Yuxiang delved into the book and practised the principles stipulated in it. Wu eventually wrote Ten Essential Points of Martial Artists and Four- Word Poetic Secrets of Taiji: Apply. Cover. Combat and Swallow. which have become the classics of Chinese Wushu writing.
The initiator of the Sun-style Taiji boxing was Sun Lutang (1861-1932) from Dingxian County in Hebei Province. Sun was a master of Xingyi Quan (free-mind animal-imitating boxing) and Bagua Zhang (Eightdiagram Palm). In 1911. he followed Hao Weizhen to learn the Wu Yuxiang style of Taiji. He later created the Sun style of Taiji boxing by blending the cream of the Wu Yuxiang style of Taiji. Xingyi Quan and Bagua Zhang. The feature of the Sun-style Taiji is that practitioners advance or retreat freely with quick and dexterous movements. which are connected with each other either in closing or opening stances when the direction is changed.
Wushu originated from China. It has a long history. a rich content and a wide variety of forms. Over a long period of time. it was developed and shaped through a constant struggle of man against nature as well as against his enemies on ancient battlefields. Today Wushu has an athletic value and helps to build the body. It still has. however. a strong relationship with traditional oriental culture. Wushu is popular among people with different cultural backgrounds and it can help to strengthen the morality and character of youngsters.
Wushu Taolu exercises consist of technical movements from various styles. These movements are based on principles of attack and defense. as well as on philosophical concepts. Moreover. they bring pleasure to people as they enable them to grow physically as well as mentally. In recent years. the sport of Wushu has gradually been combined with aspects of western sports competition. which has turned it into a modern international sports.
Wushu Taolu exercises consist of technical movements from various styles. These movements are based on principles of attack and defense. as well as on philosophical concepts. Moreover. they bring pleasure to people as they enable them to grow physically as well as mentally. In recent years. the sport of Wushu has gradually been combined with aspects of western sports competition. which has turned it into a modern international sports.
The sport of Wushu includes two major disciplines: namely Taolu and Sanshou. Wushu Taolu can be divided into barehanded exercises. apparatus practice. prearranged fights and group exercises.
Barehanded exercises include styles such as Changquan (long-range boxing). Nanquan (southern-style boxing). Taijiquan (Taiji Boxing). Xinyiquan (Form and will boxing). Baguazhang (Eight diagram boxing). Tongbeiquan (Through the back boxing). Ditangquan (Ground boxing) and so on. Among other things. apparatus practice makes use of broadsword. straight sword. staff. spear. double broadsword. double straight sword. nine section whip. and three section staff. Prearranged fights involve two or three persons and are divided into barehanded and weapon fights. Group exercises consist of movements and combinations done by several persons. These different Taolu exercises are all characterized by the use of various attacking and defensive movements. which are performed with grace. rhythm and spirit.
Events of world Wushu Championships
According to the progress of World Wushu Championships (WWC) in recent 20 years. 31 events were set in WWC which are distinguishable. athletic Characteristic. easy for objectively judging.
Wushu Taolu (20 Events for Men and Women):
Men: Changquan. Nanquan. Taijiquan. Daoshu (Broadsword play). Jianshu (Sword play). Nandao (Southern Broadsword play). Taijijian (Taiji Sword play). Qiangshu (Spear play). Gunshu (Cudgel play). Nangun (Southern Cudgel play).
Women: Changquan. Nanquan. Taijiquan. Daoshu (Broadsword play). Jianshu (Sword play). Nandao (Southern Broadsword play). Taijijian (Taiji Sword play). Qiangshu (Spear play). Gunshu (Cudgel play). Nangun (Southern Cudgel play).
Wushu Sanshou (11 categories for men):
Wushu events recommended by the International Wushu Federation to the International Olympic Committee.
The International Wushu Federation (IWUF) concerns the development of the Olympic sports. also fully understands all rules of International Olympic Committee (IOC). According to the relevant rules of setting events in the International Olympic Committee Charter "only sports widely practiced by men in at least seventy-five countries and on four continents. and by women in at least forty countries and on three continents. may be included in the program of the Games of the Olympiad." "Events must have been included at least twice in world or continental championships." And the requirement of equilibria development between men and women that IOC sets while admitting a new sport as an Olympic event. at the case of Events selecting. IWUF took into account of technical difficulty. style. physiological characteristic of Wushu and its developing condition in all continents. recommends 8 Wushu Taolu events by scientific discussed which meet the IOC request from the WWC 31 Wushu Taolu events. However. due to no any events for women at Sanshou on WWC or continental championships. Sanshou is temporarily not recommended. The 8 Wushu Taolu events are the following:
Men: Changquan. Nanquan. Daoshu. Gunshu.
Women: Changquan. Taijiquan. Jianshu. Qiangshu.
Barehanded exercises include styles such as Changquan (long-range boxing). Nanquan (southern-style boxing). Taijiquan (Taiji Boxing). Xinyiquan (Form and will boxing). Baguazhang (Eight diagram boxing). Tongbeiquan (Through the back boxing). Ditangquan (Ground boxing) and so on. Among other things. apparatus practice makes use of broadsword. straight sword. staff. spear. double broadsword. double straight sword. nine section whip. and three section staff. Prearranged fights involve two or three persons and are divided into barehanded and weapon fights. Group exercises consist of movements and combinations done by several persons. These different Taolu exercises are all characterized by the use of various attacking and defensive movements. which are performed with grace. rhythm and spirit.
Events of world Wushu Championships
According to the progress of World Wushu Championships (WWC) in recent 20 years. 31 events were set in WWC which are distinguishable. athletic Characteristic. easy for objectively judging.
Wushu Taolu (20 Events for Men and Women):
Men: Changquan. Nanquan. Taijiquan. Daoshu (Broadsword play). Jianshu (Sword play). Nandao (Southern Broadsword play). Taijijian (Taiji Sword play). Qiangshu (Spear play). Gunshu (Cudgel play). Nangun (Southern Cudgel play).
Women: Changquan. Nanquan. Taijiquan. Daoshu (Broadsword play). Jianshu (Sword play). Nandao (Southern Broadsword play). Taijijian (Taiji Sword play). Qiangshu (Spear play). Gunshu (Cudgel play). Nangun (Southern Cudgel play).
Wushu Sanshou (11 categories for men):
Wushu events recommended by the International Wushu Federation to the International Olympic Committee.
The International Wushu Federation (IWUF) concerns the development of the Olympic sports. also fully understands all rules of International Olympic Committee (IOC). According to the relevant rules of setting events in the International Olympic Committee Charter "only sports widely practiced by men in at least seventy-five countries and on four continents. and by women in at least forty countries and on three continents. may be included in the program of the Games of the Olympiad." "Events must have been included at least twice in world or continental championships." And the requirement of equilibria development between men and women that IOC sets while admitting a new sport as an Olympic event. at the case of Events selecting. IWUF took into account of technical difficulty. style. physiological characteristic of Wushu and its developing condition in all continents. recommends 8 Wushu Taolu events by scientific discussed which meet the IOC request from the WWC 31 Wushu Taolu events. However. due to no any events for women at Sanshou on WWC or continental championships. Sanshou is temporarily not recommended. The 8 Wushu Taolu events are the following:
Men: Changquan. Nanquan. Daoshu. Gunshu.
Women: Changquan. Taijiquan. Jianshu. Qiangshu.
