Contemporary Wushu

   Wushu, modern wushu, and contemporary wushu often refer to the modern recompilations of traditional wushu forms created in the People's Republic of China. These are practiced as a demonstration sport, much like gymnastics, and judged and given points according to specific rules. Originally practiced just in the PRC, the contemporary wushu forms have now spread all over the world through the International Wushu Federation, which holds the World Championships of Wushu every two years; the first World Championships were held in 1991 in Beijing.

   Similar to gymnastics, there are separate events, the main ones being:

   Barehanded: Changquan (Long Fist), Nanquan (Southern Fist), Taiji Quan (Taiji Fist)
Short Weapons: Dao (Broadsword), Jian (Straightsword), Taijijian (Taiji Straightsword), Nandao (Southern Broadsword)
Long Weapons: Gun (Staff), Qiang (Spear), Nangun (Southern Staff)

   Traditional Wushu

   The term "Traditional Wushu" refers to every other style and school of Wushu not included in the Contemporary Wushu list above. Traditional routines are also used in competition in events separate from the compulsory and individual routine events, especially in China. The routines used are often new, modernized recompilations of traditional styles. Some of the more commonly seen styles include: Xingyiquan Shape-Intent Fist, Baguazhang - Eight-Trigrams Palm, Bajiquan - Eight Extremes Fist, Fanziquan - Overturning Fist, Chuojiao - Poking Feet, Tongbeiquan - Through-the-Back Fist,Piguaquan - Chop-Hitch Fist, Chaquan - Cha Fist, Huaquan - Hua Fist, Paoquan  - Cannon Fist, Houquan - Monkey Fist, Tanglangquan - Praying Mantis Fist, Ditangquan - Ground-Prone Fist, Zuijiuquan - Drunken Fist, Yingzhaoquan - Eagle Claw Fist, Shequan - Snake Fist.

   Similarly, there is also a traditional weapons category, which often includes the following:
Changsuijian - Long-Tasseled Sword, Shuangshoujian - Two-Handed Sword, Jiujiebian - Nine Section Whip ,Sanjiegun - Three Section Staff, Shengbiao - Rope Dart, Dadao - Great Sword, Pudao - Pu Sword, Emeici - Emei Daggers, Shuangdao - Double Broadsword, Shuangjian - Double Sword, Shuangbian - Double Nine Section Whips, Shuanggou - Double Hooksword.

   Many more weapons and styles exist apart from those mentioned above; in total, the whole of Wushu contains probably over one hundred different minor or major styles.