Longfei Taijiquan Association of Great Britain

The 5th World Wushu Championships
Longfei News Letters - Volume 3, Issue 1

The 5th World Wushu Championships were hosted by Hong Kong in November 1999. The first time I visited Hong Kong was in 1991, accompanied by my father and coach after competing in the 1st World Championships in China.

I could not believe I was returning, although when I first travelled to Hong Kong it was still a part of the "British Empire" and had been for 156 years. But in 1997 it returned to China. Hong Kong or "Heung Gong" (which literally means Fragrant Harbour) is a unique city full of magic and charm and steeped in both traditional and modern cultures; a place where East meets West.

Sounds, smells, sights and boundless energy emanate from everywhere. It seems as if its 6.4 million population never sleeps. Well, I was back, but this time my father and I were accompanied by my brother, family friend and training partner David Lieber as spectators. The venue was the Hong Kong coliseum which is situated on Kowloon. This enormous event is one of the most spectacular and prestigious martial arts events that is held every two years.

Wushu gains Olympic Committee recognition In 1995, the International Wushu Federation (IWUF) was accepted into membership of the General Assembly for International Sports Federations (GAISF) this was the first step. The second step was to fulfil the criteria set by the International Olympic Committee to have Wushu represented by a minimum of 73 countries, spanning four continents.

At the 4th World Wushu Championships and Congress, held in Italy in 1997, it was reported that the IWUF had 78 countries in membership, spanning all continents (Asia, North America, South America, Europe, Africa and the Oceanic States).

The British Council for Martial Arts (BCCMA) met with the sports minister of China, Mr Wu Shaozu, he is also President of the IWUF and the Chinese Olympic Committee to prepare the final step, the letter of application to the IOC. The current situation is that the International Wushu Federation have fulfilled the requirements of the Olympic Committee and are therefore a potential Olympic event.

The championships were held over five days with the opening ceremony being held on the Wednesday evening. The Hong Kong police brass ensemble played and the Hong Kong Wushu Society performed many demonstrations which included Taijiquan, Shaolin Quan and Qigong displays. The climax of the evening was a demonstration from the Chinese Wushu athletes, which included many spectacular demonstrations.

The different styles within Wushu competition 

Wushu international competition consists of: 

• 10 Compulsory routines

• Free style full contact fighting

• Demonstration events.

The compulsory routines were first introduced into the competition arena in the 1990 Asian games hosted by China.

The routines were compiled and standardised by many of ChinaÍs top athletes, coaches and traditional experts. Originally the Asian games and the first four World Championships only consisted of seven compulsory routines.

These seven routines were then divided into three 
categories:

1. Northern School of Boxing (Bai Pai)

2. Southern School of Boxing (Nan Pai)

3. Internal School of Boxing (Nei Pai). 

Within each category there is a further category:

• Hand routines

• Short weapons

• Long weapons.

The Hand Routines are:

1. Chang Quan (Northern Long Fist), based on the traditional Chang Quan School whose routines consist both moving and fixed postures characterised by expansive and agile movements which emphasise speed high leg techniques and high jumps.

2. Nan Quan (Southern Fist). The movements of the southern style incorporate their own unique features and 
   characteristics. These include powerful, explosive, energetic postures and movements. They combine to display a variety of hard striking techniques. Some of the attacking methods are accompanied by audible shouts whilst other features include low kicking techniques and close combat hand methods.

3. Taijiquan (Supreme Ultimate Boxing). Taijiquan is part of the Internal School of Boxing based on traditional Taijiquan methods and skills and embracing the major schools of Chen, Yang, Wu, Woo and Sun. Athletes are required to display and interpret the different characteristics and technical requirements of these major schools.

Short Weapons 

Jian Shu (Double Edge Sword) and Dao Shu (Broadsword).

Long Weapons

Gun Shu (Cudel) and Qiang Shu (Spear Play).

The introduction of the New Routines 

The 5th World Wushu Championships saw for the first time the introduction of three new routines. These were the Taijijian (Supreme Ultimate Sword), the Nan Gun (Southern Cudel) and the Nan Dao (Southern Sabre). In time we will see the introduction of the Taijiqiang (Supreme Ultimate Spear) which is currently being choreographed. The athletes will have to perform three disciplines of bare hand routines, short weapons and long weapons in either the Internal School, the Southern School or the Northern School of Wushu. All categories are divided into male and female.

San Shou 

The routines (Taolu) events are just a part of Wushu competition which also includes San Shou (free fighting) which is Chinese full contact fighting. This exciting and physically demanding sport is held on a Lei Tai, a 24ft x 24ft platform, 2ft high. San Shou includes four main fighting categories: Ti (kicking), Da (striking), Shui (Wrestling/throwing) and Na (controlling and seizing). It includes eleven weight categories and the athletes wear boxing gloves and protective head, groin and body equipment.

Victory is decided by knockout or points decision. San Shou requires great courage, skill and above all extreme physical conditioning.

Finally, the championships include an exhibition event. This allows the athlete to use free form routines that are not compulsory. It also gives the individual a chance to demonstrate and perform the other styles of Chinese Wushu, boxing and weaponry.

These include:

1. Imitation Boxing - Mantis, Eagle, Snake, Monkey etc.

2. Soft Weapons - Rope Dart or Whip Chain.

3. Dual Weapons - Double Broadsword, Twin Rapier, Double Daggers or Hooks are some of the routines. 

4. Group or Paired Combat. These are choreographed routines where the athletes perform combat sequences or mock fights including hand to hand combat, hands against weapons, weapons vs. weapons and many combinations.

Shaolin Quan 

Also, one had a chance to see displays of Shaolin Quan and the other representatives of the internal school, Bagua Zhang and Xing Yi Quan.

This particular event is very spectacular and allows the athlete more freedom to display the many wonderful and more unusual styles of Wushu.

The British team were all new to the world stage with the exception of Richard Hamilton (San Shou), a former team-mate who is undoutedly one of the countryÍs top San Shou fighters. 

He has won two bronze medals in world titles and one silver in Europe. Richard has competed in all five World Championships and is a talented and experienced athlete. Unfortunately Richard's first fight was drawn against the Russian who eventually went on to win the gold. The Russian won two of the three rounds. 

I felt Richard's conditioning and fitness had maintained a high standard, however the lack of quality sparring partners in the UK has had a negative effect on his timing and overall concentration. Richard is only a young man and I believe he has at least one more championship left.

The Tao Lu contingent, however, were inexperienced by comparison to the teams I have captained in the past. The likes of Ray Park, Andrew Belamy, Andrew Hopkins, Chew Yeem Lawes, Vincent Hopkins, Mica Hudson and Mark Batt were not only European gold and silver medalists but some had received medals and achieved results in the top six places at world class level. 

The team were streets ahead of any European team and on a level par with the Russians. The previous British athletes were also far more versatile and not only performed the compulsory routines but were quite happy to perform in the exhibition events. Ray Park's speciality was the Drunken Sword, whilst Andrew Belamy would demonstrate Baijiquan and Whip Chain. Andrew Hopkins demonstrated Fanziquan and Autumn and Spring (Halbered). Also, Ray, Andrew and Andrew would perform Dual Partner sparring. I believe the previous teams were far more balanced.

Jun Jian Zou

Longfei Member

Although the overall championship is fascinating to watch, the main interest to my father and myself was the Internal Categories which featured the Taijiquan and Taijijian. Longfei member Andrew Austin represented Great Britain in the Taijiquan competition. Andrew is one of the members in the team with the greatest potential.

Andrew's performance in my opinion was the most outstanding in the men's category in Europe. Both his Taijiquan and Taijijian were performed with technical accuracy and displayed a clear interpretation of the different features and characteristics of each school of Taijiquan. Upper body posture and transition were good and lower limb stability and flexibility were excellent.

The opinion of both Dick and myself was that Andrew's marks did not reflect his performance. However, with Andrew's ability and talent, all he needs to do is compete and with time and experience gained he will achieve results.

The women's athlete, Joanne Kitchener was the top scoring European for her hand routine and deservedly so. Like Andrew, she received her best score for her sword routine. 

From Left: Andrew Austin, Simon Watson  and Xiang Dong Kong

I first saw Joanne in the nationals over two years ago and thought she was the best female Taijiquan athlete in Europe and the best I had ever seen. Joanne needs to pay some attention to the martial content and expression which I feel will improve her overall performance.

Although keen to watch Andrew and Joanne's performances, I was also eager to see China's latest competitors, as well as the rest of the stadium who waited in anticipation.

We were to see for the first time a new generation of Taijiquan competitors from China. The 1990s were dominated by Chen Sitam, Asian Games gold medalist 1990, twice World Champion 1993 and 1997. Wang Er Ping, World Champion Baltimore USA 1995. The wonderful Gao Jao Min, Asian Games silver medalist 1990, twice World Champion 1991 and 1993 together with the famous Su Sifang who, at the age of 40, won the gold medal at the Asian Games in 1990.

We were not to be disappointed. In fact the new breed of athletes were quite staggering. ChinaÍs two new male Taiji players were outstanding and in a class of their own. Xiang Dong Kong (Taijijian) and Jun Jian Zou (Taijiquan) both secured gold medals for China.
Although the standards of Asian Wushu is generally higher than Europe, the gap between China and the rest of the world is quite considerable.

Although Europe and Asia are improving in leaps and bounds and the standard of Wushu is getting higher, we cannot forget the fact that mainland China are not standing still!

China's Standards

During the nine years that I competed, China's standards have gone through the roof. You could liken it to making a comparison between Manchester United and the local Sunday side!

Hui Fong Qui took the gold medal for mainland China in the ladies hand form. Fai Li, from Hong Kong, won the ladies category for Taijijian.

Talking to Tony Swanson, team leader and Sanshou coach, about his summing-up report, the most interesting overall point for him was the comparison between the eastern countries and the western competitors. 

It is interesting to note that across the whole of the men's Taolu events only two medals were awarded to Europe. These both went to a Chinese ex-pat Xian Fei, from Holland. In all categories only seven non-Asians managed a position in the first eight.

In the women's Taolu a similar position arose, again only two medals were awarded to non-Asians and twelve non-Asians managed to gain places in the first eight.

But in the Sanshou, of the 44 medals awarded, 32 went to non-Asian countries. As Tony says, we could have some very good discussions on the reasons why Ü but for now an interesting fact.

Best World Championships

Overall the competition ran smoothly and the scoring was clearly displayed, although some of the judging was a little erratic and sometimes lacked consistency although the events finished on time. I met many old friends and made new acquaintances from all over the world. 

This was the best World Championships so far in terms of the athletes and judging standards as well as organisation.

Wushu is going from strength to strength; lets hope in the not too distant future we can all look forward to seeing it in the Olympics.

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