Chin Woo Athletic Association facts for kids

The Chin Woo Athletic Association (simplified Chinese: 精武体育会; traditional Chinese: 精武體育會; pinyin: Jīngwǔ Tǐyùhuì) is a large international martial arts group. It was started in Shanghai, China, on July 7, 1910. Some sources say it began in 1909.

Today, Chin Woo has over 80 branches. These branches are located in more than 30 countries around the world. It is often known as an "athletic association" or "federation."

The Story of Chin Woo

How Chin Woo Started

Chin Woo began as the Jing Wu Athletic Association in Shanghai, China, in the early 1900s. Many people, including the official websites of its branches, believe the famous martial artist Huo Yuanjia founded it. He sadly passed away not long after it was established.

However, Chin Woo was actually started by a group of people. This group included members of the Tongmenghui, like Chen Qimei. Because Huo Yuanjia was very popular and had recently died, the group decided he should be the "face" of Chin Woo. This is why he is so strongly linked to the association.

Early Teachers and Goals

After Chin Woo was founded, many important martial artists in China were invited to teach there. These teachers included:

• Chen Zizheng, a master of Eagle Claw style.
• Luo Guangyu, a master of Seven Star Praying Mantis style.
• Geng Jishan, a master of xingyiquan.
• Wu Jianquan, who created Wu-style tai chi.
• Zhao Lianhe, a master of Northern Shaolin. He became the main instructor after Huo Yuanjia's death.

Chin Woo was one of the first public martial arts schools in China. Its goal was to create a clear way to teach and learn martial arts. Before this, training was often kept secret. The founders of Chin Woo wanted to keep these traditions alive. They felt that secrecy and changes in society might otherwise make these traditions disappear.

The basic lessons at Chin Woo combined several martial arts styles. This gave students a strong general background. They could then choose to specialize in any style they liked. Chin Woo also inspired other martial arts groups in China.

Support from Sun Yat-sen

Sun Yat-sen, who founded the Republic of China, supported Chin Woo. He attended the third annual Chin Woo event in 1915. He gave a speech to encourage everyone there. When he attended the 10th annual event in 1920, he wrote for a special Chin Woo newsletter. He also made a special plaque with the words "martial spirit" carved into it.

Growing and Expanding

In 1915, the government of the Republic of China signed some agreements with Japan. This gave common people more freedom. With this new freedom, Huo Yuanjia's students bought a new building. This building became the main headquarters for the organization. They named it "Jing Wu Athletic Association." The association started to accept new martial arts styles, not just those taught by Huo. In 1918, Chin Woo opened a branch in Hong Kong.

In July 1919, Chin Woo sent five representatives to Southeast Asia. Their goal was to open schools overseas. These five people were Chen Gongzhe, Li Huisheng, Luo Xiaoao, Chen Shizhao, and Ye Shutian. They first stopped in Saigon, Vietnam. There, they opened the first Chin Woo school outside of China. They later opened schools in Malaysia and Singapore. By 1923, these five masters had opened schools across Southeast Asia. They visited nine different countries.

Chin Woo Today

In 1966, the Chin Woo school in Shanghai had to stop its activities. This was during a time called the Cultural Revolution in China. The goal of this period was to change old ideas and customs. These restrictions were lifted in 1976. After that, Shanghai's Chin Woo school started its activities again.

Chin Woo is now one of the biggest wushu (Chinese martial arts) organizations in the world. It has branches in many countries. These include Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Poland, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and Switzerland.

What Chin Woo Teaches

Standard Routines

In the early days of Chin Woo in Shanghai, the main instructor, Zhao Lianhe, created a set of lessons. These became the standard Chin Woo routines, also called "Fundamental Routines." These are taught in all Chin Woo schools.

Here are some of the main routines:

• Shi Er Lu Tan Tui (十二路潭腿; Twelve Roads of Spring Leg)
• Gong Li Quan (功力拳; Power Fist)
• Jie Quan (节拳; Connecting Fist)
• Da Zhan Quan (大战拳; Big Battle Fist)
• Qun Yang Gun (群羊棍; Shepherd Staff)
• Ba Gua Dao (八卦刀; Eight Trigrams Broadsword)
• Wu Hu Qiang (五虎枪; Five Tiger Spear)
• Jie Tan Tui (接潭腿; Tan Tui Sparring)
• Tao Quan (套拳; Set Fist)
• Dan Dao Chuan Qiang (单刀串枪; Broadsword versus Spear)

Other martial arts styles were also taught to students. However, these varied from school to school. They depended on what the master teaching that school knew. The standard routines listed above, though, were taught everywhere.