2023 USKSF Tournament Book DIGITALversion FINAL - Flipbook - Page 15
WHAT IS KUO SHU?
In 1928, the Nationalist government of China established a Central Martial Arts Academy called the
Chung Yang Kuo Shu Kuan. This Academy, in Nanking, China, was created to promote the health and
improve the strength of the people. The name “Kuo Shu” literally means “national art” and recognizes
the unique cultural nature of Chinese martial arts. Some of the best martial artists in China attended this
exclusive school, as teachers or students. The academy operated in mainland China between 1928 and
1947, closing due to the civil war.
Today, when using the words Kuo Shu, it is synonymous with traditional Chinese martial arts, especially
including self-defense and fighting. In the US today, Kuo Shu is also identified with a particular type of fullcontact fighting contest. Kuo Shu fighting is derived from an old Chinese tradition of constructing a raised
platform (a “Lei Tai”) and challenging anyone to step forward and fight. Contests were conducted on a Lei
Tai and did not include protective gear, rounds, or weight limits. Recently, more emphasis has been placed
on the safety of the competitors.
After the civil war in 1955, Taiwan reintroduced the traditional Kuo Shu Lei Tai full-contact fighting contests.
In 1975, the Kuo Shu Federation of Taiwan, ROC sponsored the first World Kuo Shu Championship
Tournament in Tainan City, Taiwan. In 1978, the Chinese Kuo Shu Worldwide Promotion Association, of
which Grandmaster Huang, Chien-Liang was one of the founding members, was formed. In 1986, the
name was changed to the International Chinese Kuo Shu Federation (ICKF). In 1988, Grandmaster Huang
sponsored his first Kuo Shu tournament including full-contact fighting in the United States. In 1991, he
re-introduced the Lei Tai and created a standard 24 x 24-foot platform, raised 2-4 feet off the ground,
without boxing style ropes.
In 2002, Grandmaster Huang founded The World Kuo Shu Federation (TWKSF) to continue to promote
traditional Kuo Shu and its physical, mental, and ethical benefits, globally. The Federation is currently
supported by over 80 different organizations, continues to provide International Referee Training, and has
also established an International Kuo Shu ranking system to recognize achievements of Chinese martial
artists worldwide. The World Kuo Shu Federation sanctioned the 7th World Championship Tournament
in Rome, Italy.
2023
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