What is Wu shu?
First one should translate the term properly into English Wu shu is Mandarin for Martial Arts. So technically Wu shu refers to anything inside the Martial Arts world as seen from a Chinese perspective. In Japanese it would be said Bu jutsu, in French artes de martriex. But in the modern times the word has come to refer specifically to modern Chinese martial art forms competition, generally recognized by the faster more artistic expressions of the forms with difficult maneuvers added to enhance competitiveness and demonstration factor. Wu shu is an international competition sport in which more than 80 countries currently participate officially. Wu shu is also currently under review to become an official Olympic competition sport. But what is Wu shu? Many countries have fighting styles but what makes it a martial art is the art and the culture behind it. Wu shu has Chinese culture deeply intertwined into it. This separates it from other Martial arts and makes it stand apart from other fighting styles. Without this thorough infusion of China's culture and history, it would just be fighting.