Wushu vs Wushu

Identifying traditional Chinese martial arts from Modern Wushu can be difficult for someone new to the pursuit. What is often shown in cinemas and on television is modern Sport Wushu; yet the general public don’t realise that this has more in common with modern gymnastics than traditional Chinese martial arts.

Since the 1950’s the Chinese government has taken it upon itself to interfere with traditional Chinese martial arts by standardising, simplifying and modifying forms of many of the styles for the purpose of encouraging competition and promoting the health benefits of these arts. As a result, a significant amount of confusion has arisen- from the general public though to ardent students of Chinese martial arts themselves. Adding to this confusion is the Government electing to label the modern-day martial- sport “Wushu”(lit Martial Art); and oxy-moron in the most pure sense.

Some key differences between Sport Wushu and TCMA:

Sport Wushu:

• is primarily focussed on developing technical ability in difficult routines, as well as aesthetic beauty and poise. In TCMA, the emphasis is on developing fighting prowess.
• forms almost always include run-up’s (akin to Gymnastic Floor Events) before executing a series of aerial techniques. In TCMA, there are no run ups.
• is typically void of all but the most elementary of fighting applications.

The objective of Sport Wushu is to win points by exhibiting the lowest of stances, fastest of manoeuvres and most technically challenging of routines; cleanly and focussed. There is no requirement to develop internal power, understand the martial art application or study the martial virtues (Wu De / Mo Duk) that accompany TCMA. Hence, sport Wushu is like a beautifully decorated, but completely empty vase.

The objective of TCMA is, when necessary, to fight. Period. It was never for health or exercise benefit, points, trophy’s or winning. Sure, many who train in TCMA talk about the health and well-being benefits however these are, and always have been considered by-products of good, regular and consistent training.

Some people might think they see similarities between the two. For example, strong low stances could be considered a common element of Sport Wushu and TCMA. This kind of reasoning shows inordinate attention on the superficial aspects of TCMA training. In Sport Wushu, strong and low stances are to impress judges and win points. In TCMA strong stances allow the legs to relax and generate energy up to the body for the purpose of fighting. Therefore in TCMA the legs (stances) are developed in a more functional way than with Sport Wushu training which can be thought of as one dimensional, for aesthetics and to win points.

Consider for example, the 42 Competition Tai Chi form –the standard Wushu competition form which combines movements drawn from the Yang, Wu, Chen, and Sun styles of traditional Tai Chi Chuan. It was created in 1989 by Li De Yin for the Chinese Government’s Sports Committee. The techniques within the form are borrowed from traditional styles however I doubt whether any of the founding teachers in those styles would be able (or inclined) to perform the techniques in the manner prescribed by the Chinese Sports Committee. The emphasis and purpose of the movements within the 42 form are focussed on developing physical athleticism alone, totally void of the internal doctrines that make tai chi chuan an effective Chinese martial art.