Related Research Articles
In general, kung fu or kungfu refers to the Chinese martial arts also called wushu and quanfa. In China, it refers to any study, learning, or practice that requires patience, energy, and time to complete. In its original meaning, kung fu can refer to any discipline or skill achieved through hard work and practice, not necessarily martial arts. The literal equivalent of "Chinese martial art" in Mandarin would be 中國武術 zhōngguó wǔshù.
Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defence; military and law enforcement applications; competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; and the preservation of a nation's intangible cultural heritage.
Chinese martial arts, often called by the umbrella terms kung fu, kuoshu or wushu, are multiple fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in Ancient China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common traits, identified as "families" of martial arts. Examples of such traits include Shaolinquan (少林拳) physical exercises involving All Other Animals (五形) mimicry or training methods inspired by Old Chinese philosophies, religions and legends. Styles that focus on qi manipulation are called internal, while others that concentrate on improving muscle and cardiovascular fitness are called external. Geographical association, as in northern and southern, is another popular classification method.
William Wayne Blanks is an American actor, martial artist and fitness personality. He was a nationally-ranked competitor in semi-contact and point karate during the 1980s, winning a Bronze medal at the 1981 World Games, before creating the Tae Bo exercise program.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to martial arts:
San Da, formerly San Shou, is the official Chinese kickboxing full-contact combat sport. Sanda is a fighting system which was originally developed by the Chinese military based upon the study and practices of traditional Chinese martial arts and modern combat fighting techniques; it combines boxing and full-contact kickboxing, which includes close range and rapid successive punches and kicks, with wrestling, takedowns, throws, sweeps, kick catches, and in some competitions, even elbow and knee strikes.
A combat sport, or fighting sport, is a contact sport that usually involves one-on-one combat. In many combat sports, a contestant wins by scoring more points than the opponent, submitting the opponent with a hold, disabling the opponent, or attacking the opponent in a specific or designated technique. Combat sports share a long history with the martial arts.
Huo Yuanjia, courtesy name Junqing (俊卿), was a Chinese martial artist and co-founder of the Chin Woo Athletic Association, a martial arts school in Shanghai. A practitioner of the martial art mizongyi, Huo is considered a hero in China for defeating foreign fighters in highly publicised matches at a time when Chinese sovereignty was being eroded by foreign imperialism, concessions and spheres of influence. Due to his heroic status, the legends and myths surrounding events in his life are difficult to distinguish from facts.
Wushu (武術), or kung fu, is a competitive Chinese martial art. It integrates concepts and forms from various traditional and modern Chinese martial arts, including Shaolin kung fu, tai chi, and Wudangquan. "Wushu" is the Chinese term for "martial arts", reflecting the art's goal as a compilation and standardization of various styles.
Joseph Henry Lewis was an American martial artist, professional kickboxer and actor. Originally a practitioner of Shōrin-ryū karate and champion in point sparring competitions, he became one of the fathers of full contact karate and kickboxing in the United States, and is credited with popularizing the combat sport in North America.
Yaw-Yan, also called Sayaw ng Kamatayan, is a Filipino martial art developed by Napoleon A. Fernandez and based on older Filipino martial arts. Since its inception in the 1970s, it has dominated the kickboxing scene in the Philippines and has proven very effective against other stand-up fighting arts.
Pelé Jerry Wabara Reid is a retired British heavyweight boxer. He currently resides in Birmingham, West Midlands and is a personal trainer. He is a former WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight champion and World Kick Boxing Champion.
Bradley James Allan was an Australian martial artist, action choreographer, actor, and stunt performer. He worked in the Hong Kong film industry as a member of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team and choreographed action scenes in Hollywood films. He is best known for his role as Alan on Gorgeous (1999).
Alfred Hsing is an American martial artist, actor, and stuntman. After over a decade of intensive training in both America and China, Hsing won the first American gold medal in wushu taolu history at the 2009 World Wushu Championships held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Earlier that year he made the US National Wushu Team where he was ranked 1st in the nation. Along with his career in martial arts, Hsing is also recognized as the Shaolin Expert on Spike TV's show Deadliest Warrior.
Louis Linn is a martial artist, teaching his family style of O Shin Chuen, a traditional five-animal Fujian Shaolin style, in Sweden. He introduced Chinese martial arts, Wushu also popularly called kung fu, to Sweden in 1975 and soon became a well known instructor within the martial arts society there.
Yuan Wenqing is a retired professional wushu taolu athlete from Shanxi, China. Nicknamed 'the prince of wushu,' he was known for his explosive speed and power, and is still widely regarded as one of the greatest wushu practitioners of all time. It is said that in the sport of wushu, the 1970s belonged to Jet Li, the 1980s to Zhao Changjun, and the 1990s to Yuan Wenqing.
Mark Noyce is an English actor, writer, film director and producer.
The South African Wushu Federation (SAWF) is the national governing body for the development and promotion of the sport of wushu also known as kung fu in South Africa. The Federation was formed in 2002.
The United States of America Wushu Kungfu Federation (USAWKF) is the governing body of wushu-kungfu in the United States. The USAWKF manages and selects the members of the US Wushu Team to compete in various international competitions including the World Wushu Championships, World Junior Wushu Championships, World Kungfu Championships, and the World Taijiquan Championships. The USAWKF also develops regional and national activities relating to Wushu, and has had great influence on how wushu taolu and sanda events are run in the United States. The USAWKF is a member of the Pan-American Wushu Federation (PAWF) and the International Wushu Federation (IWUF).
Sam F.S. Chin is the Grandmaster and Gatekeeper of the martial art called I Liq Chuan, and also known as "the Martial Art of Awareness". Sam Chin developed the grading system and the pedagogical method known as Zhong Xin Dao.
References
- ↑ Profile, rx3fightcrew.co.uk; accessed 26 December 2014.
- ↑ Wushu Acro Fight Choreo by Steve Coleman, metacafe.com; accessed 26 December 2014.
- ↑ Profile, mkgym.co.uk; accessed 26 December 2014.
- ↑ On The Ropes cast & crew, ontheropes-themovie.com; accessed 26 December 2014.
