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.
- 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)
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.
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.
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.
