Wushu is both an exhibition and full-contact sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts. Created in the Peoples Republic of China after 1949, Wushu has spread globally through the International Wushu Federation (IWUF), which holds the World Wushu Championships every 2 years.

Wushu is composed of two disciplines: Taolu (forms) and Sanda (Chinese kickboxing).

The forms are similar to gymnastics and involve martial arts manoeuvres and patterns which competitors are judged and given points according to specific rules. The forms comprise basic movements, stances, kicks, punches, balances, jumps, sweeps, and throws based on aggregate categories traditional Chinese martial art style and can be changed for competitions to highlight one's strengths. Competitive forms have time limits that can range from 1 minute, 20 seconds for external styles to over 5 minutes for internal styles.

Wushu Events/Categories:

• Bare handed: Changquan (Long Fist), Nanquan (Southern Fist) and Taijiquan (TaiChi Fist)
• Short Weapons: Dao (Single edged sword), Jian (Double edged sword), Taiji jian (TaiChi double edged sword) & Nandao (Southern single edged sword).
• Long Weapons: Gun (Staff), Qiang (Spear) and Nangun (Southern Staff)
• Sanda: Chinese kickboxing/Free Fighting.

Most of the events were set up in 1958.

These events are performed using compulsory or individual routines in competition. Compulsory routines are those routines that have been already created for the athlete, resulting in each athlete performing basically the same set. Individual routines are routines that an athlete creates with the aid of his/her coach, while following certain rules for difficulty, number of acrobatics, etc.