Wushu - Taolu

Introduction

Wushu-Taolu is a Chinese martial art similar to gymnastics in which athletes perform choreographed routines comprised of basic movements such as kicks, stances, balances, pushes, jumps, sweeps and throws) on a padded carpet. The performances are judged on the quality of movements used, overall performance and the degree of difficulty of the routine. Some taolu events are performed without weapons and some with weapons.

The Chinese art of taolu was born in 1958 with the establishment of the All-China Wushu Federation. The sport is governed by the International Wushu Federation (IWF) which was established in 1990 and organized the first World Championships of Wushu (both sanshou and taolu) in 1991 in Beijing, China.

Events

• Chang Quan (Long Fist)
• Daoshu (Broadsword)
• Duilian (Choreographed Sparring/Duel)
• Gunshu (Cudgel)
• Jianshu (Straight sword)
• Jiti (group events)
• Nan Quan (Southern Fist)
• Nandao (Southern Broadsword)
• Nangun (Southern Cudgel)
• Qiangshu (Spear)
• Taiji Jian (Tai Chi Straight sword)
• Taiji Quan (Tai Chi Chuan)

Equipment

Gun

It is a long staff or cudgel made of white wax wood.

Qiang

It is a flexible spear made of wax wood and the spearhead is attached with red horse hair.

Taijijian

It is a double-edged sword used in taiji events.

Jian

It is a double-edged straight sword/blade.

Dao

It is a single-edged sword described as willow-leaf shaped.

Nandao

It is a southern style knife which is a curved one-sided blade or sword.

Wushu - Taolu - Shoes

Wushu athletes wear lightweight, soft leather shoes.

Wushu - Taolu - Sash

A sash is a colored belt which indicates the different skill levels. The colors vary from one style to the next, depending on the school or the level. 

Wushu - Taolu - Clothing

Athletes wear traditional kung fu uniform which is usually fastened with buttons and have an officer’s collar and is a long, full/half sleeved costume.

Techniques

Crouch stance

This technique is also known as the Drop or Arrow stance and in Chinese, it is known as the pu bu. It is a very low squat in which the crouching thigh of the back foot is in contact with the calf.

Horse stance

It is also known as the horse riding stance and in Chinese, it is known as ma bu. The tops of the thighs are parallel to the floor and the knees are turned outwards while the feet point forwards.

Seated stance

This technique is also known as the sitting stance and in Chinese, it is known as the chi bu. In it, one thigh is wrapped over the other. The front foot is flat on the floor, while the ball of the back foot is in contact with the floor. 

Officials

Head Judge

Responsible for awarding bonus points for innovative difficult moves, deducting points for over/under time performances and for repetitive movements.

Other judges:

Nine judges evaluate the performances of the athletes. They are divided into three panels in which one panel evaluates the quality of movements, the other panel evaluates the overall performance and the last one evaluates the degree of difficulty of routines performed.