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Wushu Taolu

Kung fu routines as a sport.

Modern competitive Chinese martial arts: judged routines (taolu) with fists, swords, spears and staffs, full of speed, jumps and acrobatics. Jet Li was a Chinese national champion.

Fact file

Country
China
Founder / origin
Standardised in China
Year / period
1950s
Type
Striking
Main federation
International Wushu Federation — IWUF
Sources: International Wushu Federation (IWUF)

History

Wushu taolu is the modern competitive form of Chinese martial arts forms. In the 1950s China organised and standardised traditional styles into sport events, judged on technique, power, speed and difficulty, like gymnastics.

The International Wushu Federation was founded in 1990, the year wushu became a medal sport at the Asian Games. Champions are famous for their jumps, spins and weapon skills.