New Research on Chinese Traditional Wushu: Combat Athletics

The First Chinese Wushu Elite Combat Competition ended on June 1, 2007 in Changchun city, Jilin Province, China. The comment from the General Secretary, Mr. Kang Gewu of the China Wushu Association was that the combat contest is an important method of research for our Chinese Traditional Wushu. He hopes that this competition will be a window to expose and inherit Traditional Wushu throughout the world.

Mr. Kang Gewu, the Wushu R & D Academy of National Physical General Bureau, discussed the scientific research task of the "Combat Contest" during the Second World Traditional Marital Arts Championships in Zhengzhou last year. It aroused a strong response in the wushu circle. All of the competitors came from all over the country, including Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao.

Mr. Kang Gewu explained: "The Combat Contest is an excellent experiment for Traditional Wushu. The participates can use traditional styles' Wushu to challenge other schools of Wushu, even to challenge Sanda, Kickboxing, Karate and Judo." But the players are only allowed to attack their opponents’ upper body, protected by pads. There are many arenas between different styles of Wushu such as: Baji Quan (Eight Dimension) to Yongchun Quan (Wing Chun Quan), Sanda to Kickboxing, Boxing to Judo, Free Combating to wrestling. These events are quite difficult to get chance to watch compare with any other martial arts contests.

During the arena of two days, as the techniques of Traditional Wushu are compared by the regulation and rules of the combat, some competitors of Traditional Wushu are defeated by Sanda and Boxing. The new competition is a positive direction for the development of Chinese Traditional Wushu. China Wushu Association is trying to attract more attention to this new style of competition, and with constant development, it is likely to be included in the curriculum of high schools. But this first competition was just an attempt, and is just a start. Future study will be needed to improve and perfect is competition rules in the future.