The sport of Modern Wushu is a relatively recent invention, in order to standardize and promote traditional Chinese martial arts in the late-1950s, in collaboration with several traditional martial arts masters like Yuan Qingchun, Li Tianji, Cai Longyun, Zhang Wenguang, Wang Ziping, etc. Bow Sim-Mark was one of the first Chinese nationals to bring modern Wushu overseas with routines like Elementary Broadsword (Chuji Daoshu) and Advanced Straightsword (Jiazu Jianshu), both originally published in 1958. Actors like Jet Li (Li Lianjie) and Donnie Yen (son of Bow Sim-Mark) practiced modern Wushu. The practice of Modern Wushu comprises of:
Long Fist (Changquan): which uses the essentials of Cha-Quan, Hua-Quan, Shaolinquan, Etc., the representative “northern” style, known for its open, elegant postures, high jumps, and kicking techniques.
Southern Fist (Nanquan): using the elements of the five southern family styles: Hong, Cai, Mo, Li, Liu. Known for it’s stable “horse (stance)”, steady footwork, and hard bridge (forearm), and it’s use of short, quick hand techniques, giving the saying “northern legs, southern fists.”
Tai Chi (Taijiquan): Using Yang family style as the frame, it is the representative of the internal styles. The 24 posture was made in collaboration with several masters, including Li Tianji, as a simplified version of the Yang family Taijiquan. Other routines like the 66/67, 48, and 42 Posture routines which combined the major Taijiquan styles like Sun, Wu (Hao), Wu, Chen, and Yang styles.
Coach Kevin representing Nanquan’s “Single leg standing with tiger claw” (Hu Zhao Duli Bu) and Coach Luis representing Changquan’s “Resting stance flash palm” (Xie Bu Liang Zhang).