Wushu, in the West colloquially known as Kungfu, is recognized as the essence of Chinese martial arts. It is a dynamic and visually captivating discipline that blends traditional combat techniques with artistic expression. Both bare-hand routines and weaponry, performed in fluid, powerful movements showcase strength, balance, and precision. Made famous by martial arts films and legends like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and later Jet Li, Wushu is not only a sport but also a cultural art form that embodies philosophy, discipline, and heritage—making it as fascinating to watch as it is to practice.

Dr. Yueyi Jia of the faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, just recently completed her PhD research exploring the teaching methods and popularity of Wushu in China compared to western Europe, specifically focusing on Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Dr. Jia:” I was drawn to Belgium after completing my master’s degree in China, where I had already focused on Wushu. My research journey began with a striking realization: unlike in China, where Wushu is more integrated into the sports culture, the martial art remains relatively unknown in Europe, often overshadowed by other martial arts like judo and taekwondo. In Belgium, the sport is less popular, and I observed a significant lack of resources, such as instructional materials and local coaching expertise. Therefore, I sought to understand the challenges in promoting Wushu as a sport and cultural practice outside China.”

Dr. Jia's research found that the Wushu training programs offered in Europe were primarily focused on competition-style Wushu, which differs significantly from traditional combat-oriented Wushu. While European students often expect to learn the latter, they are usually taught performance routines for competitions, which may lack the practical combat elements they desire. This misalignment between student expectations and the available teaching approaches is one key factor behind Wushu’s limited appeal in Europe.

“Nonetheless, my research also highlighted the successful efforts of some European coaches who have innovated within their teaching methods. A notable example is a French Wushu coach who creatively combined aspects of sports science and martial arts, adapting his teaching methods to better engage youth. His unconventional approach has attracted more than 400 students to his club, far surpassing participation levels typically seen in both Europe and China. We have closely studied this model, finding that it holds potential to be replicated across Europe to boost Wushu’s popularity.” Dr. Jia adds.

The differences between China and Europe likely stem from cultural and systemic factors. In China, there is strong governmental support aimed at promoting Wushu, particularly the competition format, with aspirations to include it in the Olympics. However, in Europe, Wushu lacks such institutional backing and widespread awareness. This, coupled with the fact that most people confuse Wushu with Kung Fu, has further hindered its growth as a mainstream sport.

The research concludes with several recommendations for enhancing the appeal of Wushu in Europe. Dr. Jia suggests the need for targeted programs designed for different age groups and skill levels, along with educational initiatives for coaches to adapt their teaching methods to meet the interests and expectations of European students. Dr. Jia also points out the need for more localized competitions and community events to raise awareness and create a sense of connection among Wushu practitioners and the broader public.

Looking ahead, Dr. Jia envisions a future where knowledge exchange between China and Europe can bridge the gap. There are already plans for increased collaboration between Belgian universities and Chinese institutions such as the Shanghai University of Sport. These initiatives could help develop new teaching methods and programs to support the growth of Wushu internationally.

Reference:

Jia, Y., Theeboom, M., Dong, Z. & SchaillĂ©e, H., 2022, Archives of Budo. 18, 1, p. 353-361 9 p. Teaching Chinese martial arts to youngsters: Approaches and experiences of wushu coaches in Europe

Contact:

Dr. Yueyi Jia: yueyi.jia@vub.be

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