Chinese martial arts are famed for the beauty and dynamism of their techniques.

These days, they are practiced internationally as a competitive sport known as "Wushu."

One attraction of "Wushu" is its variety of disciplines,

where martial arts combat meets aerial gymnastics and the wielding of weaponry.

Japan's 2023 national championships unfolded with places for the world championships at stake,

resulting in some fierce competition.

All competitors have been through months of demanding training to develop their individual styles.

We follow young martial artists battling for a place on the national team,

as we uncover some of "Wushu"'s secrets.

The focus of today's show is Wushu, competitive Chinese martial arts.

Thanks to the long-standing popularity of kung fu movies

and the health benefits that Chinese martial arts can bring,

there are currently around 1.5 million practitioners in Japan.

We're going to talk to an expert to find out more.

Let's say hello to Ichikizaki Daisuke.

Woah! That was something.

Thank you so much for joining our show.

Ichikizaki Daisuke coaches Japan's leading "Wushu" talent.

During his own career, he was Japan champion six times in a row,

winning many medals on the world stage.

Daisuke, when contenders compete at the Championships, do they perform demonstrations?

"Outside Japan, 'Wushu' often involves hand-to-hand combat between competitors,

but in Japan, the performance of choreographed routines is more prevalent."

At the Asian Games and World Championships, "Wushu" is divided into three main performance categories.

The first is "Taijiquan."

It's characterized by its slow, steady movements, combined with balance and control.

'"Taijiquan"'s emphasis on soft, supple movements is like the Japanese martial art "Aikido."'

"It focuses on putting an opponent off balance."

"Changquan" is all about speed and flamboyant aerial work.

'"Changquan" represents the side of "Wushu" that's closest to the western image of "Kung Fu."'

'Where "Taijiquan" is slow and deliberate, "Changquan"...is fast and explosive.'

"Nanquan" is the final category.

"Nanquan" techniques are based on a school that developed in southern China.

In general, the moves are powerful, but more compact than those of "Changquan."

On today's show, we're going to focus on one of "Wushu"'s three disciplines,

"Changquan" or "Long Fist."

We follow two Japanese teenagers on their journey to become world number one.

Recently, "Wushu" in Japan has seen the emergence of a new generation of young stars.

As veterans of the sport retired during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was time to pass the baton.

This "dojo" in Osaka is home to some of Japan's best "Wushu" practitioners.

This young man is a "Changquan" specialist.

18-year-old Araki Motoyoshi.

"Chanquan" also involves the wielding of weaponry and in 2019,

Araki became junior Asian champion in the "Jianshu" or swordplay event.

Expectations for him were high.

However, during the pandemic, many tournaments were canceled,

leaving him with fewer chances to prove himself.

"Unless you compete, it's hard to maintain your motivation,

and while I never thought about quitting, I couldn't wait to get back to competition."

But finally, starting from the fall of 2023, the World Championships

and other major competitions are back on the calendar after a four-year hiatus.

Araki qualified in March for a place on the Japan team at the Asian Games.

During the pandemic, he took an unconventional approach to perfecting his craft.

In order to improve his presentation, he began to study theater.

"I took part in a number of plays where I learned how to express myself and move on stage,

skills which I successfully blended into my routines to enhance my performance."

"Wushu" competitions are scored by a panel of nine judges who are divided into three groups.

Group A judges precision.

Group B appraises expression,

and Group C assesses aerial skills.

In elite competition, where obvious mistakes are few, expression is a vital component.

Araki has dedicated a lot of thought into how to make a strong impression with his performances.

One thing he has developed is his trademark eagle style form.

"One of my favorite Chinese practitioners favored this eagle style form,

and I intend to work hard to make it my own.

Araki believes that another important part of the performance is developing a narrative

and his routines are designed to set the scene of a fighter surrounded by countless enemies.

"You've got to imagine you're on a battlefield with opponents coming from all directions;

your job is to take them down."

"I assume that they'll come from the front, and from the rear and so on."

Araki's efforts to improve are spurred on by his rivalry with another young contender.

This is Takagi Ibuki.

Since they were both juniors, he has repeatedly competed against Araki for the number one spot.

Takagi won a major Japanese junior tournament back in 2022.

He then went almost a year without any training,

in preparation for his university entrance exams.

"Since I was small, I've tried to excel at both martial arts and schoolwork."

Takagi's resolve is strong, even if it means falling behind his rivals.

During his break from the sport to focus on study,

he successfully won a place in the law department of a leading Japanese university.

In April, after starting university, Takagi returned to "Wushu"

and set about trying to win a place on the Japan team at the Worlds

by competing at the All Japan Championships in July.

Takagi stands out from the crowd with his physicality,

and he strives to produce routines that highlight his best attributes.

'The theme of my routines is somewhat vague,

but I'm basing them on the concept of "explosion."'

Takagi throws himself into every move, hoping to construct a powerful and memorable performance.

He's currently working on this double twist technique.

He leaps into the air, grabs his foot with both hands,

spins once more and drops into a crouch.

Only top competitors can achieve this level of difficulty.

Takagi checks the video he's been recording to make sure he's getting it just right.

Takagi is physical and explosive,

while Araki leans towards creative expression.

The two contenders continue to prepare for their upcoming face off.

The All Japan "Wushu" "Taijiquan" Championships were held over three days in July, 2023.

One of the major events on the "Wushu" calendar,

it attracted 1500 participants aged 4 to 86.

With competitors battling for a place on the Japan team for the World Championships,

the excitement was palpable.

The men's "Chanquan" competition takes place on the final day.

Araki is up first.

Here, Araki portrays a man surveying the countless enemies surrounding him on the battlefield.

He commences his routine with a difficult double twist.

"The axis of his first jump was very stable;

and it was enough to grab the attention of both the crowd and the judges."

The carefully constructed routine showcases Araki at his artistic best.

"You think he's facing forwards, but then he darts backwards to complete another spin."

This series of movements is designed for maximum impact.

"I want to use the whole floor area as effectively as possible

to impress the judges by subverting expectations."

"I link moves together, going one way then the other."

Midway through the routine, along with the intense movements

that represent battle with multiple enemies,

Araki throws in some of his unique and distinctive techniques.

Right through to the end, he maintains the intensity of his facial expressions.

Araki completes his 90-second routine.

With a high score in the Overall Performance category,

he jumps to the top of the leaderboard.

Takagi is the last competitor to take the floor.

He seems a little tense.

His routine is full of sharp, well-defined movements and dynamic power.

The first highlight is a double twist.

But his landing is unsteady.

This mistake is reminiscent of what happened two days previously

during his "Daoshu" or broad sword routine.

"The judges deducted points for insufficient rotation."

To make sure he gets enough rotation this time around,

Takagi implements a forceful takeoff.

But his over-rotation leads to a messy landing.

"Although it's tough psychologically, he wants to get back on track with his next move."

"This is another linked sequence, and he gets it right."

"It's stable, precise and the landing's perfect."

Each of Takagi's moves is powerful and deliberate

his style contrasts with that of Araki, who favors a smoother, more fluid approach.

Despite a solid routine, the early mistake on the double twist impacts his score,

leaving him in fifth position.

"I didn't perform as well as I know I can,

and that's what's most frustrating for me."

Araki went on to win the event, securing a ticket to represent Japan

at both the Asian Games and the World Championships.

Although the tournament is over, Takagi receives some good news.

He may not have done as well as he wanted at the All Japan Championships,

but he was still rewarded with a place on the World Championship team.

"I was really surprised."

"I thought I'd missed my chance."

The selectors were impressed with Takagi's bold double twist,

and have confidence in his mental resilience, physical ability, and future potential.

Araki is delighted to have his rival on the team.

"We have a long history as rivals,

and I'm happy that we can both compete at the Worlds together."

"Of course, I don't want to lose to him."

"I'm sure that no one at the Worlds will know who I am,

and I want to prove to them that the new generation's here."

The World Championships, the pinnacle of the sport,

are being held for the first time in four years.

And at last, competitors can unleash their potential.

"Wushu" also utilizes swords, spears and other weaponry.

'I'd like to introduce you to some of "Wushu"'s weaponry.'

"I'm sure you have many questions, but to make it easier,

I'm going to start with the simplest weapon, the staff."

"It's just around my height in length."

I can hear the sound.

"Could you feel the air move too?"

Alongside the weaponry, "Wushu" also incorporates fans.

It's a Japanese fan, like "sensu."

That's right!

"It makes...a good sound."

Good sound!

"There are various ways of utilizing the fan,

including blocking an attack

...and then striking back."

Can I try that?

"Give it a go."

"You need to relax your wrists."

How did you make that sound?

I like that!

Relax, relax.

"That's it."

"Good sound!"

Good sound!

At the All Japan Championships, the women's competition also witnessed a fierce battle.

We speak to a contender who has been representing her country since she was a child.

Another "Wushu" practitioner with an impressive track record is Kida Nanoha.

Kida excels in weapons-related categories,

becoming Junior Asian Champion at the age of 15

and runner up at the Junior World Championships at the age of 16.

Always aiming for the top, she's been perfecting her skills since childhood.

"I've been working on how to become one with the sword

or other weaponry that I'm holding when I move."

Robust muscular strength is a must when wielding and controlling a weapon.

Kida has been training hard.

She was particularly eager to do well at this year's All Japan Championships.

Due to the pandemic, it's her first opportunity to step out in front of spectators in four years.

"As there were no tournaments for such a long time,

I was delighted to get the crowds back."

"I wanted to give them something they'd remember."

"That was my main priority."

To draw attention to her performance,

Kida decided to vary the speed and rhythm of her routine.

She focused in particular on the start of the routine,

which is designed to express the commencement of a battle.

Kida suddenly increases the speed of her movements.

'There's a certain rhythm you have to find with a "Wushu."'

"Something that feels comfortable."

"When you punch, your feet are firmly gripping the mat,

but you relax the tension in your upper body to present a faster sense of movement."

After a series of slow movements, relaxing your posture

is a quick way to lower your center of gravity.

The combined complexity of these movements produces the unique rhythm and feel of "Wushu."

Slow movements complement the faster ones.

Intricate techniques produce a powerful dynamism.

"You can see that she's focused all the way to her fingertips."

"Here, she somersaults into the splits, but she's completely in control,

without even bending her back leg,

a technique that makes it obvious she's done a huge amount of training."

Kida performed well in all three of her "Changquan" categories

to secure a place on Japan's World Championship team to go with her spot at the Asian Games.

Returning to international competition will give Kida another opportunity

to compete against rivals she has faced many times since her junior days.

"This will be the first time in a while for us to compete internationally."

"I'm sure everyone will have improved, as I have as well."

"So, I need to give it everything I've got."

So, for those chosen to represent Japan, the real battle has only just begun, right?

'"Wushu" isn't just about your martial arts skills,

it's also about psychological resilience and expressing yourself.'

'And what I love about "Wushu" is

catching glimpses of the competitors' mental strength and resolve shining through.'

"It's what I look out for and support."

The impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on the sporting world was substantial,

and it's worth remembering the strength and determination of athletes

who continued to train throughout the pandemic without losing sight of their goals.

Today, we focused on the Chinese martial art of "Wushu,"

a major part of Asia's cultural heritage.

With two world-class tournaments coming up in the autumn,

we look forward to seeing which contenders come out on top.

Sumo training school...

new recruits are enrolled here for 6 months.

Through physical training sessions,

young trainees learn basic sumo movements and the meanings of each gesture.

Then they attend lectures.

An average week would look like this.

Monday concentrates on fostering a "rikishi"'s mindset.

Tuesday is for calligraphy.

On Wednesday, social studies.

On Thursday, sports medicine.

And to round off the week, sumo history.

Today, recruits are learning how to write Japanese-style calligraphy with brushes.

As young men, they rely fully on their smartphones.

So, writing with brushes is a rare experience.

They're writing the word "kenkyo," meaning humility in English.

Young "rikishi" are taught about the importance of staying level-headed

and humble no matter how successful they become.

What does ‘kenkyo' mean to you?

"I think it's an important word."

"I cherish this word very much."

Onosato won the National Amateur Championship when he was in college

and joined the school two months ago.

"The balance isn't great."

Every professional "rikishi" must attend the school, including the greats.

This is the mighty "Yokozuna" Hakuho as a new trainee.

And this is his calligraphy.

It reads "left and right."

'"Rikishi" must use their brains when they compete.'

"So, it's important to foster concentration when they write calligraphy."

"It's beneficial to be able to write neatly anyway,

because they might be asked for their autographs as they grow more popular."

After classes, they go to the cafeteria for lunch.

They can eat as much rice as they want.

Eating to bulk up is also part of a "rikishi"'s training.

"Tastes good."

The day's lessons end with a song.

The song expresses the "rikishis"' resolve to keep training hard

and remember their motivation.

"The biting cold of midwinter training."

"Drops of sweat seeping into our belts in summer."

"Devoting ourselves with unwavering desire to succeed."

"We live, we live for the spirit of sumo."

"Some tend to cut corners due to the absence of their stable-masters."

"But it's important for them to strive to learn basic movements like "shiko" to grow strong."

"In fact, those who train harder here are the ones more likely to go on to enjoy successful careers."

It would be great if a wrestler or two from this class

make it all the way to the top rank of "Yokozuna" someday.

Well, best of luck to all the new recruits.