Sporting Events
Wushu
Wushu (武術 or 武术), also known as kung fu, is a competitive Chinese martial art.
It incorporates concepts and forms from various traditional and modern Chinese martial arts, such as Shaolin Kung Fu, Tai Chi, and Wudangquan.
The term “Wushu” is the Chinese word for “martial arts” (武 “Wu” = combat or martial, 術 “Shu” = art), reflecting the art’s purpose as a synthesis and standardization of various styles.
Northern styles
Northern styles of Kung Fu emphasize long-range techniques, fast attacks and retreats, wide stances, kicks (both aerial and ground), jumps, circular parries with spinning movements, as well as speed, agility, and explosiveness.
Southern styles
Southern styles are characterized by low, stable stances and short, dynamic movements that combine offense and defense, as well as the use of vocal shouts. In practice, they place greater emphasis on hand techniques and whole-body movements rather than high kicks or acrobatic maneuvers (although some lineages do incorporate aerial kicks).
Internal styles
Internal styles focus on practicing elements such as awareness of the spirit, mind, and qi (breath or energy flow), and on using relaxed power instead of muscular tension. Internal practice includes stance exercises, stretching, and muscle strengthening, as well as empty-hand or weapon techniques, which often require precise coordination from one stance to another.
Shaolin
Shaolin Kung Fu is divided into northern and southern styles, which it broadly follows, as Shaolin is considered the birthplace of Kung Fu. It is distinguished by the Shaolin training exercises, including challenging drills, aerial techniques and kicks, animal mimicry, as well as vocal shouts.
Wing Chun
Wing Chun emphasizes economy of movement and encourages practitioners to use an opponent’s attacks through redirection, deflection, and fast punches. Wing Chun favors a relatively high and narrow stance with the elbows close to the body. Within this stance, the hands are usually positioned over the vital points of the centerline, with the palms in a vertical “wu sau” position. This allows the practitioner to perform immediate blocks and rapid strikes to vital points along the body’s centerline.
Tai Chi
Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese martial art that combines slow, flowing movements with breathing, focus, and internal energy (qi). It is practiced both as a martial art and as a method for health, relaxation, and mental balance. Tai Chi is divided into different styles, which can be faster, but the core philosophy of the martial art is to use and redirect the opponent’s force and center of gravity.
Sanda
Sanda is a modern unarmed combat sport developed from traditional Wushu techniques, primarily utilizing punching, kicking, throwing, wrestling, and defensive techniques.
Light Sanda
Light Sanda is a variation of Sanda with more rules, allowing athletes to compete without the risk of serious injury, incorporating significant safety regulations.
Tui Shou
Practical application of Tai Chi in combat. It includes paired exercises aimed at off-balancing the opponent by using their own force through touch, without grappling.
Parawushu
Para Wushu is also part of the Wushu family and is intended for individuals with any form of disability. Practitioners are exclusively people with disabilities, who adapt the Kung Fu style they learn to suit their own physical, mental, and sensory abilities and needs.
Learn more at parawushu.gr
Training Content of Systems
- Taolu (Forms), Quan (Fist), Qi Xie (Weapons)
- Quan Kung or Kung Fa (method of practicing specific skills)
- San Shou or Ge Dou (combat techniques) – Sanda
Taolu - Forms
Taolu are combined combat techniques arranged in a harmonious sequence. They constitute a characteristic training method in which the practitioner, performing flowing defensive and offensive techniques, develops endurance, strength, explosiveness, and flexibility, while simultaneously improving their combat skills.