What is Wushu?
Answer: NOT this:
Though this is:

INTRODUCTION
Wushu (武术) is a form of contemporary Chinese martial arts that blends elements of performance and martial application. Wushu training emphasizes quickness, explosive power, and natural, relaxed movement. The wushu practitioner must combine flexibility with strength, speed with flawless technique, fierce intent with effortless execution.
STYLES OF WUSHU
Modern wushu encompasses a wide variety of Chinese martial arts styles, which can be categorized in several ways. Along one axis, wushu is divided into barehand and weapon-play styles, where the various wushu weapons are grouped into long-range, short-range, flexible, and double weapons. Along another axis, wushu styles are categorized by the martial arts system which created them. For example, the southern martial arts system includes barehand, broadsword, and staff styles. Staff styles, on the other hand, have been created by the northern, southern, and even drunken fighting systems.
A standard wushu training program, however, concentrates on a “core curriculum” of eight major styles, which can be categorized as follows:
|
Northern System |
Southern System |
Bare Hand |
chang quan (长拳)Long Fist |
nan quan (南拳)Southern Fist |
Short Weapon |
dao shu (刀术)Broadsword-play |
nan dao shu (南刀术)Southern Broadsword-play |
jian shu (剑术)Sword-play |
||
Long Weapon |
gun shu (棍术)Staff-play |
nan gun shu (南棍术)Southern Staff-play |
qiang shu (枪术)Spear-play |