Rules and Regulations

The top 20% of scorers in each event will be awarded first place; the next 30% will be awarded second place; the next 30% will be awarded third place.

Medals will be awarded for first, second, and third place competitors for each sex, age group, and experience level.

Full results of the competition will be published by November 20, 2022.

USA Traditional Wushu Team Trials

The 9th World Kungfu Championships (formerly Traditional Wushu Championships) will take place in China in 2023. Each state or region in the US will select a qualified team to compete at this competition.

The Traditional Wushu (Kungfu) team trials are an add-on event to the regular New England International Wushu Championships individual competitions, requiring no additional competitive performances. Instead, your regular competition forms will determine your qualification for the team. Any competitor with at least one third-place finish qualifies for the team.

Any traditional kung fu, contemporary wushu, or internal (tai chi, etc.) event can qualify an athlete for the team.

The administrative fee to add the Traditional Wushu Team Trials is $60.

You must be a member of the USAWKF to qualify for the team.

Official IWUF webpage for the championships

TIME LIMITS: Individual Events

Contemporary Wushu (barehand and weapons)

Beginning-Intermediate: minimum 45 seconds, maximum 2 minutes

Advanced: minimum 1 minute, 20 seconds for compulsory routines or optional taolu.

Advanced: minimum 1 minute for other forms

Traditional Kung Fu (barehand and weapons)

All levels: minimum 30 seconds, maximum 2 minutes

Taijiquan and Other Internal

24 Form: minimum 4 minutes, maximum 5 minutes

42 Form Taijiquan: minimum 5 minutes, maximum 6 minutes

Other Taijiquan: minimum 3 minutes, maximum 5 minutes

Other Internal Barehand: minimum 1 minute, maximum 2.5 minutes

Internal Weapons

Taiji Straight Sword: minimum 2 minutes, maximum 4 minutes

All Other: minimum 1 minute, maximum 2.5 minutes

TIME LIMITS: Group Events

Choreographed Fighting – External: minimum 30 seconds, maximum 2 minutes

Choreographed Fighting – Internal: minimum 1 minute, maximum 4 minutes

Group External: minimum 30 seconds, maximum 2 minutes

Group Internal: minimum 3 minutes, maximum 7 minutes

Experience Levels

There are three individual competition experience levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced.

There are two group and sparring competition experience levels: Beginning and Intermediate/Advanced.

Definitions of Experience Levels

Beginner: (1) still mastering the basics: (2) less than 2 years experience if training multiple days a week, or less than 3-4 years experience if training once or twice a week.

Intermediate: (1) good technique and stances, but may be less than perfect in power, speed, coordination, and/or balance; (2) 2-4 years if training multiple days a week; 4-6 years experience if training only once or twice a week.

Advanced: (1) excellent technique, stances, power, etc.; (2) several years training consistently several times a week.

Traditional vs. Contemporary Events

In order to encourage the practice of traditional wushu, please follow these guidelines when registering for traditional events.

Only traditional taolu styles are permitted. Examples include: Shaolin Quan, Cha Quan, Hua Quan, Mizong Quan, Tongbei Quan, Wing Chun, Hung Gar, Choy Lay Fut, Mok Gar, and traditional animal styles such as Seven Star Praying Mantis or White Crane.

Excluded from traditional events:

Standardized wushu forms, such as 3rd duan changquan (elementary changquan), 5th duan changquan (youth compulsory form), and standardized weapons taolu;
International compulsory taolu;
“Traditional” styles with excessive modern elements, such as tumbling movements that would not traditionally be found in that particular style;
Metal weapons with flexible/floppy blades; and
Staves or spears made from non-wood materials, such as carbon fiber.

The organizers and officials reserve the right to move a competitor from traditional wushu to contemporary wushu based on these requirements.

Sanda / Sparring

Sparring competitions will be continuous light contact, with no throws or takedowns.

Permitted techniques: Punches, kicks.

Scoring areas: front or side of head, torso, upper thigh (between knee and hip)

Prohibited areas: groin, back of head, neck

Best of three rounds. Each round is 60 seconds, with 30 seconds rest between each set.

Required equipment (bring your own): mouth guard, groin guard, headgear, chest guard, gloves, foot guards.

Music

Musical accompaniment is permitted.