The Chinese Martial Arts Championship Worldwide Circuit 1370 Main St., Dunedin FL 34698 Fax: (727) 734-2414 Division Descriptions and Requirements for Traditional, Internal, and Wushu Forms For the 2009 ICMAC in Orlando, FL Traditional Forms Divisions Traditional Northern Styles: There are countless Northern Chinese martial arts systems, but in order to have a parameter from which to judge athletes objectively, we are classifying Northern styles in three categories: Northern Long Fist Northern Open Other Northern Northern Long Fist: Cha Quan, Hua Quan, Pao Quan, Tan Tui, Northern Shaolin, and similar styles are characterized by long-range movements, quick and agile footwork, jumping and leaping techniques, and quick, explosive movements. These forms may not contain more than one (1) of the following techniques: Butterfly kick Split Kip-up Forms with repeated ground work, linked butterfly kicks, or falling and tumbling techniques must be entered in the Northern Open division. Northern Open: Northern styles such as Monkey, Di Tang, Drunken and other styles that contain repeated ground work, more than one butterfly kick, or falling and tumbling techniques are classified in this category. Contemporary Wushu forms with similar skills must enter the Wushu Open forms division.
Other Northern: Fan Zi, Tong Bei, Chou Jiao and similar styles, while Northern, have unique, distinguishing characteristics that differ greatly from the Long Fist and Northern Open Styles. Eagle Claw: This category is reserved for the Traditional Eagle Claw Fan Zi lineage deriving from Chen Zi Zheng and Liu Fa Meng (Lau Fat Mang). Baji: All traditional Baji styles qualify for this category. Traditional Northern Praying Mantis: Mei Hua, 7 Star, Tai Chi Mantis, 8 Step Mantis, etc. fall into this category. Contemporary Wushu Praying Mantis forms do not qualify. Traditional Southern Styles: There are numerous Southern Styles which we are classifying into two categories: the Southern Long Hand and the Southern Short Hand. Southern Long Hand: Hung Gar, Choi Li Fut, Lau Gar and similar styles are characterized as Southern Long Fist and are distinguished by a solid Horse Stance, strong bridge work, long strikes and sweeping hand movements. Contemporary Nan Quan must be entered in the Wushu division. Southern Short Hand: Five Ancestors, White Eyebrow, Dragon Style, Wing Chun, Southern Praying Mantis and similar styles are distinguished by the Hourglass Stance, rounded shoulders and closed chest, short rapid hand work and low kicks. Time Limits for Traditional Empty Hand Forms: All advanced Traditional empty hand and weapons forms in all age groups must be a minimum of 45 seconds and a maximum of 2 minutes. There is no time limit requirement for all other athletes.
Demonstration events: Group and Partner Forms are considered demonstration events and do not qualify for Top 10 Ratings or National Titles. Traditional Weapons Forms Divisions Long Weapons: Staff and Spear only Short Weapons: Sword and Saber only Open Weapons: All flexible weapons, double weapons and weapons not classified in the above categories fall into the Open Weapons division. Weapon consistency and length: All Traditional Bladed Weapons must consist of Loong Quan type weapons or heavier steel. The weapon must be able to sustain its own weight when standing on its tip. The tip of the Sword or Saber must be no lower the ear-top when held in the left hand. The Staff must not be shorter than the athlete s height. The Spear head must be higher than the top of the athlete s head. Time Limits for Traditional Weapon Forms: All advanced Traditional empty hand and weapons forms in all age groups must be a minimum of 45 seconds and a maximum of 2 minutes. There is no time limit requirement for all other skill levels. Broken Weapons: A broken weapon will result in a one (1) point deduction from the athlete s final performance from the chief judge.
Demonstration events: Group and Partner Weapons Forms are considered demonstration events and do not qualify for Top 10 Ratings or National Titles. 32 Movement Forms (Wushu forms developed in the 1950 s): 32 movement forms saber, sword, staff and spear are considered part of Contemporary Wushu. These forms are not permitted in the traditional divisions; athletes can compete with these forms in the beginning Wushu divisions. Internal Styles: Empty Hand and Weapons Divisions Taiji (Tai Chi) Chen Style, Yang Style, and Wu Style have separate divisions. Hao Style, Sun Style, Zheng Manqing, Guang Ping, and other styles will fall into the Other Taiji Styles category. Taiji 24 is considered a demonstration event and does not qualify for Top 10 Ratings or for National Titles. Xing Yi: Hebei, Shanxi, and Henan are the three major schools. Derivatives of these branches also fall into this category. Bagua: Yin Style, Cheng Style, Liang Style, Sun Style, Fu Style, Gao Style, and other traditional branches fall into this category. Liuhe Bafa: Only the classical method as propagated by Wu Yihui qualifies for this category. Taiji and Other Internal Weapons: Internal Weapons Forms must display the same characteristics required in the internal empty hand routines that they represent. Taiji sword has to incorporate and display the same principles and characteristics as the empty hand form, and so forth with the other styles.
Time Requirements for Taiji and other Internal Divisions: All Taiji Quan and Liuhe Bafa divisions will have a 3 minute minimum and a 3 minute 30 second maximum time limit. All Taiji weapon forms will have a 2 minute minimum and a 2 minute 30 second maximum time limit. Taiji 24 is performed to completion. This is a demonstration event and does not qualify for Top 10 Rating or National titles. All Xing Yi and Bagua empty hand and weapon forms have a minimum of 1 minute and maximum of 2 minutes. Contemporary Wushu Forms Divisions Chang Quan Forms (Contemporary Long Fist): Contemporary Chang Quan is based on Traditional Cha Quan, Hua Quan, and elements from other Northern Styles. The characteristics are fast, agile movements, abrupt use of power, jumping and leaping techniques, and a clear contrast between static and dynamic movements. Nan Quan (Southern Fist): Nan Quan is based on the classical Southern Systems such as Hong Jia, Liu Jia, Li jia, etc. As such, it incorporates elements from many of these systems. Strong, stable stances, a strong bridge, powerful hand techniques, and the occasional shout are characteristics of Nan Quan. Open Wushu Hand Forms: Imitative Animal Styles such as Snake, Mantis, Eagle, and Monkey as well as acrobatic styles such as Zui Quan (Drunken Fist) and Di Tang Quan (Tumbling or Falling Fist) fall into the Open category. Demonstration events: Group and Partner Weapons Forms are considered demonstration events and do not qualify for Top 10 Ratings or National Titles.
32 Movement Forms (Wushu routines developed in the 1950 s): 32 movement forms saber, sword, staff, and spear are considered part of Contemporary Wushu and are acceptable in the beginning Wushu divisions. Wushu Long Weapons: Staff and Spear only Wushu Short Weapons: Sword and Saber only Open Wushu Weapons: All flexible weapons, double weapons and weapons not classified in the above categories fall into the Open Weapons division. Wushu Weapons consistency and length: All Wushu Weapons must be consistent with the current requirements of the IWUF. The tip of the Sword or Saber must be no lower the ear-top when held in the left hand. The Staff must not be shorter than the athlete s height. The tip of the Spear must reach the tip of the athlete s middle finger when the arm is fully stretched overhead. Broken Weapons: A broken weapon will result in a one (1) point deduction from the athlete s final performance from the chief judge.