| As forms have grown in complexity and | | | | movements used in those styles. In |
| quantity over the years, and many forms | | | | addition the number of injuries which |
| alone could be practiced for a lifetime, | | | | have resulted from the inclusion of |
| styles of modern Chinese martial arts | | | | these nandu have caused many people to |
| have developed that concentrate solely | | | | question their inclusion. |
| on forms, and do not practice | | | | Those who support the new difficulty |
| application at all. These styles are | | | | requirements follow the assertion that |
| primarily aimed at exhibition and | | | | they help to progress the sport and |
| competition, and often include more | | | | improve the overall physical quality of |
| acrobatic jumps and movements added for | | | | the athletes. |
| enhanced visual effect compared to the | | | | Another modern form of wushu is called |
| traditional styles. Those who generally | | | | sanda (sometimes called sanshou), which |
| prefer to practice traditional styles, | | | | is a modern fighting method and sport |
| focused less on exhibition, are often | | | | influenced by both traditional Chinese |
| referred to as traditionalists. Many | | | | boxing, chinese wrestling methods called |
| traditionalists consider the evolution | | | | Shuai Chiao and other chinese grappling |
| of today's Chinese martial arts as | | | | techniques such as Qin Na. It has all |
| undesirable, saying that much of its | | | | the combat aspects of wushu. Sanda |
| original value is lost. | | | | appears much like kickboxing or Muay |
| Wushu, also known as modern wushu or | | | | Thai, but includes many more grappling |
| contemporary wushu, is both an | | | | techniques. Sanda fighting competitions |
| exhibition and a full-contact sport | | | | are often held alongside taolu or form |
| derived from traditional Chinese martial | | | | competitions. |
| arts. Created in the People's Republic | | | | Main Events |
| of China after 1949, wushu has spread | | | | Changquan refers to long-range extended |
| globally through the International Wushu | | | | wushu styles like Chaquan, Huaquan , |
| Federation (IWUF), which holds the World | | | | Hongquan , and Shaolinquan , but this |
| Wushu Championships every two years; the | | | | wushu form is a modernized style derived |
| first World Championships were held in | | | | from movements of these and other |
| 1991 in Beijing. | | | | traditional styles. Changquan is the |
| Wushu is composed of two disciplines: | | | | most widely-seen of the wushu forms, and |
| taolu and sanda . Taolu forms are | | | | includes whirling, running, leaping, and |
| similar to gymnastics and involve | | | | acrobatics. Changquan is difficult to |
| martial art patterns and maneuvers for | | | | perform, requiring great flexibility and |
| which competitors are judged and given | | | | athleticism, and is often practised from |
| points according to specific rules. The | | | | a young age. |
| forms comprise basic movements (stances, | | | | Nanquan refers to wushu styles |
| kicks, punches, balances, jumps and | | | | originating in south China (i.e., south |
| sweeps) based on aggregate categories | | | | of the Yangtze River, including |
| traditional Chinese martial art style | | | | Hongjiaquan Cailifoquan , and |
| and can be changed for competitions to | | | | Yongchunquan . Many are known for |
| highlight one's strengths. Competitive | | | | vigorous, athletic movements with very |
| forms have time limits that can range | | | | stable, low stances and intricate hand |
| from 1 minute, 20 seconds for the some | | | | movements. This wushu form is a modern |
| external styles to over five minutes for | | | | style derived from movements of these |
| internal styles. | | | | and other traditional southern styles. |
| These events are performed using | | | | Nanquan typically requires less |
| compulsory or individual routines in | | | | flexibility and has fewer acrobatics |
| competition. Compulsory routines are | | | | than Changquan, but it also requires |
| those routines that have been already | | | | greater leg stability and power |
| created for the athlete, resulting in | | | | generation through leg and hip |
| each athlete performing basically the | | | | coordination. This event was created in |
| same set. Individual routines are | | | | 1960. |
| routines that an athlete creates with | | | | Taijiquan is a wushu style famous for |
| the aid of his/her coach, while | | | | slow, relaxed movements, and often seen |
| following certain rules for difficulty, | | | | as an exercise method for the elderly. |
| number of acrobatics, etc. | | | | This wushu form is a modern |
| In addition to events for individual | | | | recompilation based on the Yang style of |
| routines, some wushu competitions also | | | | Taijiquan, but also including movements |
| feature dual and group events. The dual | | | | of the Chen , Wu Wu , and Sun styles. |
| event, also called duilian , is an event | | | | Dao refers to any curved, one-sided |
| in which there is some form of sparring | | | | sword/blade, but this wushu form is a |
| with weapons, or without weapons or even | | | | Changquan method of using a medium-sized |
| using bare hands against weapons. The | | | | willow-leaf-shaped dao . |
| dual event is usually spectacular and | | | | Jian refers to any double-edged straight |
| actions are choreographed before hand. | | | | sword/blade, but this wushu form is a |
| The group event, also known as jiti , | | | | Changquan method of using the jian. |
| requires a group of people to perform | | | | Gun refers to a long staff (wooden, not |
| together and smooth synchronization of | | | | made of bamboo as it will split) as tall |
| actions are crucial. Usually, the group | | | | as the wrist of a person standing with |
| event also allows instrumental music to | | | | his/her arms stretched upwards, but this |
| accompany the choreography during the | | | | wushu form is a Changquan method of |
| performance. The carpet used for the | | | | using the gun. |
| group event is also larger than the one | | | | Qiang refers to a flexible spear with |
| used for individual routines. | | | | red hair attached to the spearhead, but |
| Previously, international wushu | | | | this wushu form is a Changquan method of |
| competitions most often used compulsory | | | | using the qiang. |
| routines, while high-level competitions | | | | Taijijian is an event using the jian |
| in China most often used individual | | | | based on traditional Taijiquan jian |
| routines. However, after the 2003 Wushu | | | | methods. |
| World Games in Macau it was decided to | | | | Nandao is a weapon that appears to be |
| opt for individual routines in | | | | based on the butterfly swords of |
| international competition with nandu (; | | | | Yongchunquan, but has been lengthened |
| difficulty movements) added for | | | | and changed so that only one is used (as |
| additional point bonuses. | | | | opposed to a pair). This event is a |
| There is some controversy concerning the | | | | Nanquan method, and was created in 1992. |
| inclusion of nandu in wushu because many | | | | Nangun is a Nanquan method of using the |
| of the movements created for the | | | | gun. This event was created in 1992. |
| specific events are not originally | | | | |