After 1949 the new People's Republic of China made kung fu into a sport, modern wushu. The Chinese Wushu Association was founded in 1958, and standard forms were set for everyone to learn. 1,3,14 Two years earlier, in 1956, a group of masters had made a short tai chi form of 24 movements, so that people could practise it for their health. 13
Two ways to compete
Modern wushu has two parts. are forms, scored by judges out of 10 points. 40,41 is fighting with punches, kicks and throws on a raised platform, wearing a head guard, a chest protector and gloves. 40,43
A world federation
The , the International Wushu Federation, was founded on 3 October 1990 in Beijing. The first World Wushu Championships followed in 1991, and in 2002 the International Olympic Committee recognised the IWUF. 40 Europe has its own body too, the , founded in Zurich in 2023. 50
Dakar, 2026
Wushu is not an Olympic sport. But it is a medal sport at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, and the wushu events are set for 1 to 3 November 2026. There are 48 athletes in four events: long fist with the staff, and tai chi with the fan, for men and for women. Everyone performs the same . 40,45
In Britain
In Britain the runs the national championships. Children can try light contact fighting called , in full protective kit, with no strikes to the head or face for 5 to 14 year olds. The 2026 National Juniors Qingda Championships are dated 7 November 2026. 81,84
Your class tonight
Your class begins with the : the right fist pressed into the open left palm. 41 Your teacher is your . 15 Then come a warm up, stances, punches and kicks, a form, and work with a partner. 102,112,119,121 Your club may teach Wing Chun, Lau Gar, Hung Gar, Shaolin or something else, and each has its own story. 1,141
A monastery on a mountain, a nun in a legend, a doctor in Guangzhou, a teacher in Hong Kong and your class tonight are all part of one story.