What is Wushu? Know about Sports, Rules, Points System as India play in Asian Games 2026 Final

As the Asian Games 2026 begins, India is in action early today (Sunday, September 20), with Suraj Singh Mayanglambam in action.

Suraj is in the final of Men's Changquan in Wushu, giving India an early chance to win a medal in the continental competition.

What is Wushu?

Wushu is a Chinese martial art and competitive sport that combines traditional fighting techniques with athletic movements, speed and precision. The word "wushu" broadly translates to "martial arts" in Chinese and encompasses numerous styles that developed over centuries.

Modern competitive wushu is generally divided into Taolu and Sanda. Taolu is the performance discipline, where athletes perform choreographed routines featuring punches, kicks, jumps, stances, balances and weapon techniques. Competitors are judged on factors such as quality of movements, difficulty, overall performance and execution, with scores awarded by a panel of judges.

Sanda, also known as Sanshou, is the combat discipline. It is a full-contact fighting format in which athletes use punches, kicks, throws and wrestling techniques. Competitors are divided into weight categories and fight over multiple rounds. The winner is determined through judges' scores, stoppage or other competition rules. A fighter can also win by gaining a decisive points advantage or forcing an opponent out of the platform.

Wushu's roots lie in ancient China, where martial arts developed for military training, self-defence and physical conditioning. Over time, different regional styles emerged.

The modern sport was developed and standardised in China during the 20th century and subsequently spread internationally. Today, wushu is governed globally by the International Wushu Federation (IWUF) and features prominently at major multi-sport competitions, including the Asian Games.

Wushu Changquan Point System

For Changquan, the scoring is based on three main components under the current IWUF rules:

• Quality of Movement (5 points): Judges deduct points for technical mistakes such as unstable landings, incorrect positions or poor execution.
• Overall Performance (3 points): Judges assess coordination, speed, rhythm, power, style and presentation.
• Degree of Difficulty (2 points): Athletes earn points for successfully completing registered difficult movements and their required connections.

Therefore, 10.0 points is the maximum base score. The final score is determined after accounting for deductions and the athlete's difficulty performance.

How popular is Wushu in India?

Wushu has a growing presence in India, particularly as a competitive sport. It has developed a strong grassroots network through state associations, academies and national-level competitions. Indian athletes have also made their mark at major international events, including the Asian Games, World Wushu Championships and Asian Wushu Championships. States such as Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Punjab and Kerala have developed active wushu communities.