A group of Ohio State students is using an ancient Chinese technique called Wushu to improve their health and gain national acclaim.

“Wushu was originally used for self-defense and fighting, but now it has become competitive, and it is very eye appealing,” said Josh Stephens, an OSU graduate in information systems and president of the Dragon Phoenix Wushu Club.

Wushu, when literally translated means “martial arts”. It is the foundation for the Dragon Phoenix Wushu Club at OSU. Wushu uses many different forms of martial arts under one more general term.

The Dragon Phoenix team has been in existence less than a year. The team was founded in autumn 2001 but has already began making an impression at national competitions.

Stephens and Y Chan, a senior in civil engineering, had good performances this past weekend at the 2002 U.S. International Kuoshu Championships held in Baltimore.

Stephens and Chan competed in four events including long weapon, short weapon, long fist and southern fist over the weekend. Both of them finished in the top four of each event.

Stephens won first place in the southern fist category, a form of Wushu practiced mainly in southern China, while Chan captured first place in the long weapon competition by brandishing a spear.

Chan used the meet to prepare for the United States National meet held in August.

“I am pretty happy with my performance and with U.S. Nationals in a month, this was just to help me out and keep me going,” Chan said after the Kuoshu meet.

The club’s world famous coach An Tiarong has spent more than 50 years teaching and performing Wushu. He is internationally recognized as being one of the trailblazers in establishing Wushu as a competitive sport.

At the age of 20, Tiarong’s dazzling performance at the first National Youth Martial Arts Championship of China, won him a gold medal and set the standards for judging criteria still used today. One of Tiarong’s most famous students is the international film star, Jet Li.

Li is one reason why Chan became involved with Wushu.

“I saw Jet Li and thought, ‘Wow, this guy is amazing. I want to do what he does’,” Chan said.

Wushu is also the national sport of China. When the 2008 Olympics are held in Beijing, China, the members of Dragon Phoenix hope Wushu is there.

“Y and a couple other members have a good chance to get onto the U.S. National team and we are shooting for the 2008 Olympics in China,” Stephens said.

Wushu is more than competing; it is also used to help people with their health, Chan said.

“Wushu teaches you to use your body in a healthy way,” Chan said.

Wushu is being used by people of all ages to better their physical and mental health.

“The benefits of Wushu are better physical fitness, more flexibility, better concentration and a better mind-body connection,” Stephens said.

The Dragon Phoenix Club has more than 20 members of different skill levels looking to improve themselves and perhaps go to the Olympics using a technique that has worked for generations.

“Wushu improves everything about you,” said Brian Hutchinson, a graduate student in electrical engineering and a member of the club.