1961 - Early Footage of Chinese Wushu [English Captions]

Possibly the earliest footage of Chinese Wushu, shot in Shanghai 1961, when tradition and modernity were still closely connected, although a new direction of development into a performance sport was already set into course. The footage features martial artists of Shanghai, when the Shanghai sports Wushu team was coached by famous Wang Xiaorong, a moslem and traditionally trained martial arts expert from Henan. I’m still in the process of identifying the performers on the video as well as specific systems they practised, in cooperation with the old generation of martial arts practitioners from Shanghai. This description will be updated once the new information is received. The contents of the video: 00:19-00:51 : Cha Quan 9th set demonstrated by Hu Hanping. Hu was most probably the student of Wang Fengzhang, famous master of the Shandong branch of Cha Quan, and one of the teachers of the Shanghai Warriors Association (established in Shanghai in 1919). Hu became very famous for his demonstrations of “Wusong Breaks Manacles“ routine, a part of Yanqing/Mizong (Lost Track Boxing) curriculum; his success was later followed by publishing a book co-authored with Cai Longyun. Many thanks to NexusJunisBlue for identifying Hu! 00:52-02:06 : Nan Quan (Southern Fist) demonstrated by Feng Rulong. Feng (born 1940) learnt martial arts since childhood from Feng Xiangrui and Zheng Qiheng, both teachers of Chinese Warriors Association. Feng won the first place in the Nanquan category during the Wushu and Archery Competition of 15 Working Units in 1963. Please note how this early Nanquan differs from the modern competition versions based in Hongjia/Hunggar. 01:24-01:23 : Chen style Taijiquan demonstrated by Gu Liuxin (1908-1990). Gu learnt from many masters of Taijiquan, but is most famous for his book on Chen style, based in his studies under Chen Fake. Gu was involved in the underground communist movement since early 1930s and hold many important official position (including being the head of Shanghai’s Huangpu district). In 1957 Gu was sent to Vietnam and taught Taijiquan to Ho Chi-min. Popularity of Taijiquan in China owns a lot to Gu’s books on the history and methods of the style. 02:07-03:26 : Luohan Boxing (unknown performer) 03:46-04:11 : Halberd demonstrated by Wang Xiaorong (1908-1990); rare though short footage of Guang Gong Halberd in 36 movements, a routine usually taught as a part of Cha Quan curriculum. Wang was born and raised in Shenqiu, Henan province, in a family with a long tradition of MA practice. Since 5 he learnt MA basics and the system he later became very famous for - Guandong Boxing (system based on paired practice only). He also learnt Xinyi Liuhe Quan from Shang Xueli and Cha Quan from Ma Qizhong. In 1943 Wang defeated a Belorussian “strongmen“ and in 1958 became the first head coach of the Shanghai Wushu team. Known for his fighting skills he was also called “The Warrior from the Central Plains“. 04:12-05:02 : Double Spikes (unknown performer) 05:03-05:20 : Spear and Staff (unknown performers) 06:43-07:13 : Li Fumei demonstrates straight sword; Li (born 1941) began he MA practice at the age of 8 under Cai Hongxiang and was “discovered“ by Gu Liuxin in 1958 after she won the first place in Shanghai Youth Wushu Competition. This year she became the member of Shanghai Wushu team, was trained by Wang Xiaorong, and in 1960 became the all-round champion of all-China Wushu competition in the women category - the best female martial artist of the year. 07:14-08:52 : Li Fumei demonstrates the compulsory Wushu routine. 08:53-10:00 : The Fight of Golden Roosters (paired routine of Yanqing system) - demonstrated by Lu Zhenduo and his disciple Zhang Haishen. Lu Zhenduo (1903-1981), of Cangzhou in Hebei province, was a famous master of Yanqing (Mizong, Lost Track Boxing) and Qingping Sword. Lu learnt the system from Yang Kunshan, 4th generation inheritor of the style, in 1922 set up a MA school in Shenyang in northern China, and in 1934 moved south to Shanghai. For more information about traditional martial arts of China please visit:  Source: