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This is the third page of the interview that Mike Chen did at the end of 2005 with Lu Yan.
Due to the size of the interview it has been split over 4 pages thus:
- Part 1: Advice for students and Coaches
- Part 2: How to improve your Wushu
- Part 3: The Beijing and other international teams
- Part 4: Compulsory forms and other interest
On this page Mike asks Lu Yan about what the Beijing Team used to specialise in, and how their training used to compare with other teams. Mike also goes on
to ask about whether she notices any differences between the skill level of Chinese teams and other international teams.
Mike: The Beijing team’s movements are said to be very accurate. What other special movements or training methods do you have?
Lu Yan: The Beijing team’s specialty is good foundations such as proper and steady stances, stretching far, kicks that reach the head
(heel down, straight knees). We practiced all the stances every day. Some teams don't stretch much. They jump right into doing forms. They learn many forms in a year.
In Beijing, even after 2 years you might not even get to try weapons yet. You might still be doing basic punches. Some teams just warm up and jump into weapons forms
while the Beijing Wushu Team would work the basics over and over.
When the Beijing team was working out with other teams, they couldn't handle the workout. They said they've never trained like that before, with so much work on
conditioning the basics. They couldn't handle it. To us, those were just basic warm-ups. After that we still had forms and the whole rest of the workout. They
couldn't even handle the basics.
The Beijing team didn't practice forms as much. Our teachers' methods focused on the basics, which raised our stamina, endurance, accuracy.
Each day, we would normally practice 3 fist forms and 3 weapons forms, and each was done in parts. We rarely did the whole form in one shot. Other teams would do
over 20 forms each time! We were surprised. “How do you find time for that?” They didn't spend their time on basics. When we said we did 3 fist forms a day, they
thought we were lying and keeping secrets. But it was true. They did one form after another while we did one at a time, with some rest in between. Doing fewer
forms is not a bad thing but do each one right. If you do 20 or more at a time, you end up not really knowing what you're doing. You get tired and by the 20th
form you're too exhausted to do well. Sacrificing quality for the sake of completing a set number of routines is useless. The number of forms is not important.
What's important is to do each form well.
Mike: Normally, how many Beijing team members make it to the National team?
Lu Yan: All provinces are considered and none are favored. Athletes are tested in tournament environments. Around 1989 is when they
officially started this process. Before that, the Beijing Wushu Team was chosen for international delegations. It’s easier for The Beijing team to get visas, so we
had more chances to leave the country than other teams.
These privileges don't necessarily translate to the process of choosing athletes for the national team. One is more a matter of diplomacy while the other is more a
matter of sport. There is a difference.
We were the most prominent for a while but there was an age gap between the first team and the next, so, other teams gained dominance at times. Tournament rules change
constantly. In today's dynamic environment, it is no longer possible to hold on to the number one position constantly. The rate of elimination is also high. All
provinces want a chance. Originally you had to be a native of Beijing to be on the Beijing Wushu Team. Nowadays it's like soccer, like buying and selling athletes.
Before we didn't get anything for winning gold. Now champions get money and other rewards. Money matters but each province doesn't want to give up good athletes.
They don't sell. And each province's buying power is limited. Competition is fierce.
Mike: Have you noticed any differences in foreigners’ movements? Japan team’s specialty? The Vietnam team?
Lu Yan: Wushu teams of other Asian countries are nearing China's standards. They have a lot of Chinese teachers. Regardless of nationality,
if your basic foundations are correct and accurate, you can do well. Asian teams have learned to respect and value this. For years they've invited Chinese instructors
to teach them. More than ever before, younger athletes are getting into it and improving faster.
Western nations are different. It's too hard for you to get a chance to start Wushu at a young childhood age and keep at it for a lifetime. Most westerners start at
a relatively older age when they discover Wushu for themselves and realize they want to learn it. At this age, it's harder to get into it and takes more effort.
The result is completely different from those who start at 8 or 9 years of age. Wushu needs time. 3 years vs. 5 years is a big difference. At 3 years you're short
2 years compared to peers who have been at it 5 years, and way behind those with 8 years experience. Each year you get to improve, learn more, and understand more.
When you reach 15 vs 20 years, the difference is not as significant but in the beginning years, each year represents a big difference in progress. Time makes the
difference.
Asian teams know how important this time is. Every day they train 4 hours. In some countries people don't have the time. They have to go to work, or devote more time
to school. 5 hours a week cannot compare to training daily. Time is important.
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Want to learn more about Lu Yan's Wushu Career? Visit the
Wushu Career pages
Want to learn more about training with Lu Yan? Visit the
Train with Lu Yan pages
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