CONTENTS

Chapter One General Description

Chapter Two Content and Classiflcation

Chapter Three Schools of Chinese Boxing

Chapter Four Weapons

Chapter Five Mattial Ethics and Etiquette

Chapter Six Competitions

ChapterOne

General Description



Wushu (also known as kung-fu or martial arts) is

one of the typical demonstrations of traditional Chinese

culture. It is a sport which utilizes both brawn and brain.



The theory of Wushu is based upon classical

Chinese philosophy, while the skills ofWushu consist of

various forms of fighting: fist fights, weapon fights, and

other flghting routines (including such offence and

defence acts as kicking, hitting, throwing, holding, chop-

ping and thrusting) and unarmed combats (Figs. 1, 2

and3)



Wushu is not only a sporting exercise but also an

artistic form. It is used to cure illness as well as for

self-defence and is a comprehensive form of culture of

the human body.



Wushu enjoys a long history and great popularity in

China. Thanks to its uniqueness and charisma originat-

ing from traditional oriental culture, Wushu is captivat-

ing the attention of more and more people in other

nations.

2. Characteristics



As one of the earliest and long-lasting sports, Wushu

has developed its own characteristics over time. Major

characteristics are listed below:



(1) Because of its long history incorporating differ-

ences in culture, ideology, region and usages, Wushu has

developed into a great variety of schools and styles.

While some schools emphasize the use of fists and hand

technique, others emphasize leg technique and foot-

work (Fig. 4). Some take interest in the variation of acts

whereas others prefer simplicity. Some focus on keeping

opponents at arm's and leg's length while others like to

fight in close contact. The assortment of schools and

styles displays the colorful features of Wushu and grati-

fies the various needs of people.

Wu Bin, born in Zhejiang Prov-

ince, graduated from the Wushu

Speciality of the Sports Faculty of

Beijing Physical Education Institute

in 1963, and bccame a Wushu

teacher in Beijing Sports School.



In 1974, he was assigned the

task of organizing the Beijing

Wushu team and coached it for ten

years. National Wushu champions,

such as Li Lianjie, Li Zhizhou, Hao

Zhihua and Li Xia are all his stu-

dents. Wu also led the Beijing

Wushu team in winning the na-

tional team champions ten times.



In 1984, he was awarded the

Honourable Spon Medal by the

State Physical Culture and Sports

Commission, and the first prize for

his outstanding contributions to

the Beijing Sports Committee.



Wu Bin has visited the United

States, Canada, Japan, Mexico, the

Philippines, and the Soviet Union,

giving lectures on Wushu.



Wu is President of the Techni-

cal Cpmmittee of the Wushu Feder-

ation of Asia and Director of Teach-

ing and Research Section of the

Wushu Research Institute of China.