Wushu Kung Fu is a martial artwork totally different from others in that it embraces a complete philosophy. First developed 1000’s of years in the past in China, it’s now rising in reputation in Cyprus too
By Karen Taylor
“By no means battle pressure with pressure, battle it with the move,” says chairman of the Cyprus Wushu Kung Fu Federation Kypros Andreou explaining the martial artwork. “Waft, like water”.
Wushu is an umbrella time period for a variety of Chinese language martial arts which have an extended historical past and embrace a complete philosophy, representing an essential part of the cultural heritage of China.
However Chinese language martial arts will not be nearly studying easy methods to battle. The game covers three features: Chan, Wu and Yi. Chan means Zen, a way of life; Wu is martial arts, studying easy methods to battle with weapons; and Yi means drugs, therapeutic. Chinese language martial arts will not be for offence, however for character growth and changing into a superb individual with good well being, self-defence is a byproduct.
Wushu has a historical past courting again 1000’s of yearsto the Qin Dynasty, whereas in theMaijishan Grottoes a collection of rock reduce caves exhibiting quite a few wall work and sculptures regarding conventional sports activities have been uncovered together with reliefs depicting martial arts tools. The time period Wushu itself was discovered way back to a poem by Cheng Shao (1626-1644) from the Ming dynasty.
Because it was established throughout the farming period, Wushu has at its core a consideration of the concord between people and nature, the title actually means no struggle, which represents the concord its practitioners search. This concord is emphasised for each thoughts and physique, and Wushu practitioners give attention to each exterior and inner strategies to result in emotions of calm.
As with many different features of Chinese language tradition, theSilk Roads supplied appreciable alternatives to counterpoint exchanges concerning conventional sports activities, together with Wushu. They supplied a chance for nomadic expertise akin to archery and horse driving to hybridise with farming tradition to type plenty of martial arts kinds.
Within the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, Wushu turned extra developed and nicely outlined as quite a few totally different kinds emerged, steadily rising and changing into an integral a part of Chinese language tradition. Influenced by philosophy, artwork, literature and faith, Wushu is without doubt one of the most conventional and widespread sports activities in China.
Right now it has been organised into a proper department of research within the efficiency arts and has develop into an athletic and aesthetic efficiency and aggressive sport. Routines are carried out solo, paired or in teams, both barehanded or armed with conventional Chinese language weaponry.
Extra just lately, it was launched at each excessive colleges and universities in China, incorporating widespread parts from many kinds and types in addition to the overall concepts related to Chinese language martial arts. Wushu turned the government-sponsored customary for coaching in martial arts in China.
Competitions now see individuals collaborating within the sport with new, modernised recompilations of conventional routines. However Wushu additionally consists of Sanda, which is extra like kickboxing, and tai chi.
In modern instances, Wushu has develop into a global sport beneath the Worldwide Wushu Federation (IWUF). In 1990, it was adopted as an official medal occasion within the Asian Video games, and since then World Wushu Championships have been held, with as much as 56 nations collaborating, each two years. And whereas it will likely be a part of the junior Olympics in 2026 there are hopes it’s going to then comply with within the Video games.
The Cyprus federation was established in 2016 and there at the moment are six golf equipment on the island with about 500 individuals concerned. “Yr by 12 months we get extra individuals,” says Andreou, whereas the 4th Wushu Kung Fu championship was held in Cyprus in December. Native athletes additionally participate in and have achieved success at worldwide occasions; some had been in Greece in December and can go to Crete in Might and “hopefully Brazil after that”.
Andreou began Wushu on the age of 14 in Cyprus however later went for additional coaching to Europe and China. “My imaginative and prescient is to finally see Wushu kung fu being accepted and totally recognised as an Olympic sport,” he says. “We’re working laborious and are hopeful that it’ll develop its attain throughout the continent and much past!”
Wushu not solely encompasses fight, but in addition promotes a wholesome life-style and integrates a powerful philosophical part, dedicated to the mantra of sound thoughts, sound physique.
It has a unique tradition, totally different philosophy to different martial arts, reiterates Andreou, “it’s the distinction between soccer and basketball”.
For extra data go to https://cywuf.org/
About Mirror of Tradition
Mirror of Tradition is a joint initiative of the Cyprus Mail and the Chinese language embassy. It highlights the parallels between Cypriot and Chinese language tradition to set an instance of acceptance, respect and
understanding among the many varied cultural communities on the island, recognising the elemental significance of tradition.
Tradition is the common language that transcends many limitations, together with language and geography. The goal is to work with numerous cultural communities in Cyprus to share and promote our vibrant cultures to additional bolster the bonds amongst all of the individuals of Cyprus and have fun the range of cultures on the planet.
Moreover, the initiative understands the significance of cultural preservation, which is a vital manner for us to transmit traditions and practices of the previous to future generations.
