'Fast and furious' on display at Chinese National Games
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail CNTV, September 4, 2013
At the National Games, and today was the final day of the non-contact forms of Wushu or "Kung Fu". CCTV anchor Simon Pusey now reports on some fast and frantic action.
 |
|
Three-man fighting on display in Shenyang. |
Amongst all of the other action on day 3 of the games were the final few events of the Wushu. And a sport that may seem pretty bizarre to the rest of the world has a long tradition in China stretching back thousands of years. And if you're a fan of your action films, then you don't want to miss this.
It may look like a scene from a Bruce Lee movie, but Wushu or 'Kung Fu' as it's known in the West, goes back much further than that Legend has it, Chinese martial arts originated over 4 thousand years ago But the form these people are watching was developed in the 1950's - in an attempt to standardise the sport.
Here Zhang Zikang is part of a team in the three person fight. And my first question to him after the performance was - does it hurt?
|
|
|
Three-man fighting on display in Shenyang. |
"It hurt a lot when I was a beginner. But my body got used to it as I was hit during training everyday. Wushu gives us confidence. It strengthens our body and hardens our will. And the sprit of wushu keeps us going for so long," three-man fight competitor Zhang Zikang said.
Also in today's competition was men's Tai-chi Boxing, A non-contact one-man performance, judged on acrobatics, balance and beauty. Michael has been practising wushu for 8 years now, and says he was at the contest to see how it's really done.
"It's not just about physical education and movements it's about your heart and spirit and everything all-together makes these guys the best in the world," said Michael, Wushu fan from Czech Republic.
Next was the women's Tai-chi Sword--involving the symbolic use of weaponry. Earlier this year it was announced that this form of the sport hadn't been chosen for the 2020 Olympics, with critics saying not enough people fully understood it. But experts say wushu is changing in order to become more popular.
"The Wushu authorities did a lot of work to promote the sport. In the past editions of national games, girls have to compete without makeup. Now they have very good makeup which matches their costumes. Music is also added during the Tai-chi events. So now it's really enjoyable to watch the Wushu competitions," Wushu journalist Zhao Jing said.
And the fast and furious action at Liaoning 2013 can only serve to help the sport - putting the reasons for its Olympic inclusion firmly on the canvas.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)