Their kicks are fast as lightning, their ascension to dominance is inspiring and their performance is electric and breathtaking. Under the leadership of Markus Lin, outgoing president of Virginia club wushu and second-year Engineering student, wushu is a strong representative of excellence for amateur University athletics across all levels of competition.
To understand collegiate wushu, one must first travel back to the sport’s origin. Developed in 1949, wushu standardized the traditional practice of Chinese martial arts. It is a complete curriculum that incorporates tai chi, kung fu and other earlier practices. While not included in the NCAA, wushu is a thriving sport within several collegiate communities, such as UCLA, Stanford, Oregon, Ohio State and Texas.
“[Wushu] is a competition-based sport,” Lin said. “It has been highly tailored to the competition environment … It allows for consistent scoring across multiple judges and schools.”
An inter-school competition meet features three levels — beginner, intermediate and advanced. Each level also features different events based on the type of weapon — barehand, staff, straight sword and broadsword. Unlike other sports, wushu begins with each competitor already holding the maximum points one can win.
For advanced levels, competitors start out at 10 points, while intermediate competitors begin at eight or nine points and beginners start with a max of seven points. The goal of a round is to limit errors, as a mistake results in lost points.
Virginia wushu is unique for its dual purpose. The Cavaliers recently traveled to a national competition hosted by UCLA, where the Cavalier squad tied for the most gold medals and placed third overall in total medals. While the team dominates in competition, they also proudly perform choreographed demonstrations at the University’s Chinafest, helmed by the Chinese Student Association. Elite national and local success aside, the team is open to new members with little previous wushu experience. Many of the club's current members joined from the activities fair, endeavoring to learn a sport that was completely new to them.
“Wushu is definitely beginner-friendly,” Lin said. “There is a very clear starting point … How much energy you put into wushu is what you’ll see coming out.”
With minimal barriers to entry, Virginia wushu offers so much more than fun competitions and inspired demonstrations. According to the BMC Psychology journal, martial arts also provide the added benefit of improved mental health. The sport’s artistic and performative elements coalesce towards a focus on discipline, precision, passion, balance, coordination and full-body exercise.
“A big component of wushu is self-improvement,” Lin said. “Training to see yourself improve.”
Lin has certainly drawn a rewarding experience from the sport, as he has been practicing wushu — with an emphasis on kung fu — for years. His older brother, Chris Lin — who choreographed stage combat for Shakespeare on the Lawn — graduated from the University in 2023 and was an active club member throughout his time on Grounds.
“Wushu was a huge part of my childhood, not just as something I really enjoyed, but something hugely cultural that my brother and I could connect our Chinese heritage with,” Chris Lin said. “To this day, it remains a huge part of my identity. Wushu’s combination of athletic and aesthetic elements has never not been mesmerizing to me, and seeing the club so active, loved and shared with the greater U.Va. community has meant so much. I am so very proud of what they’ve been able to accomplish.”
Like the Lin brothers, fourth-year College student Kai Alfonso has also been involved with martial arts for many years. Visiting wushu’s station during the activities fair, Alfonso was drawn to the vibrant and inclusive group.
“What makes it fun is just the community and friendships you make,” Alfonso said. “I have been busier this semester but I am always welcome at practice and socials. It is a truly special community.”
Looking forward, Markus Lin has set plans for the team next semester. He aims to bring in new members at the fall Activities Fair and take September as an introductory month for inexperienced wushu competitors to gain an understanding of the sport. October will be set aside to prepare for performances — especially with the CSA — and November will be preparation for competition season, where the Cavaliers will likely be a championship favorite at any given meet.
“I am excited to see the growth and direction the club will go in,” Lin said. “We've got a steady base of beginners and intermediates and I can't wait to see people reach the stage where they are able to practice wushu outside of our practice on their own.”
Built on inclusive values, Virginia wushu is set up for continuous success. A strong showing at national competitions is a welcomed bonus, but the heart of wushu at the University is a personal journey of self-improvement — the very bedrock of community, athletics and a meaningful life.
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