Derek Allen: It is hugely popular in China but in recent years, it is spread all over the world and is practiced by all ages. Hey! Welcome to WatchMojo.com. I'm your host, Derek, and today, we're going to discover wushu.
Kin On Yiu: Basically, wushu is kung fu except with more of an emphasis on the demonstration laws. So what you'll see is more acrobatics and it's a little more fast pace.
Derek Allen: I've also read that it's one of the most, more demanding martial arts. Is that true?
Kin On Yiu: Well yes, because it has heavy emphasis on acrobatics and that's never easy and because of that, it's easy to enter yourself and it takes longer to adapt for your body to get used to doing those movements.
Derek Allen: Can you tell me a bit about of how you guys compete and how you guys are judged?
Kin On Yiu: Normally, in a typical competition, you would compete in your empty-hand, your short-weapon, your long-weapon and those are competed in a form by what is called formed (ph) in Chinese martial arts. And then you're judged on your speed, your intensity, the accuracy of your movements and that has a lot to do with how good your basics are.
Derek Allen: Is wushu for everyone, like can anyone go out there and start to learn this?
Kin On Yiu: Pretty much anyone because wushu is not limited to one style. We have several different styles.
Derek Allen: Can you teach us through the moves that Stephan (ph) is about to show us here?
Kin On Yiu: Well, the first out he is going to show is long fist which is an empty-hand style. We focus on speed, acrobatics and strength. And the second thing he is going to show you is broadsword which is the more common short-weapon which also shares the same components as long-fist. We also have Tai Chi which is an internal style which is more slow and more internally focused. So there is really something for everyone.
Derek Allen: We notice that you use a lot of different weapons. How far a long in your training will take to use your first weapon?
Kin On Yiu: Somewhere between three to six months. Basically, there is no point learning a weapon until you have your other basics done.
Derek Allen: Everyone is always using different weapons. How do you choose what your weapon is? Is it chosen for you or do you choose it based on your preference?
Kin On Yiu: It's chosen by what you think you would like best. What do you think is most appealing and most suitable for you and it's partially based on the opinion of the teacher and what he thinks what suits you best and look best on you.
Derek Allen: So wushu is the national sport of China but it's going to be introduced at the 2008 Beijing games. How important is this for the sport?
Kin On Yiu: I think it's extremely important and that it will help the sport; you get a lot more exposure and bring it to the world more.
Transcription by:
Scribe4you Transcription Services