US Challenge Information
Competition Events
First Timer Division
This division is open to all ages and genders to compete in one group (i.e., no separation by age and gender). Each athlete can sign up for four events: Barehand, Long Weapon, Short Weapon, and Other Weapon. Athletes can only compete in each event once.
Southern Kung Fu Challenge Division
This division separates athletes by age and gender, and each athlete can compete in up to five events: Barehand, Long Weapon, Short Weapon, Flexible Weapon, and Double Weapon.
The Southern Kung Fu Challenge Division age groups are listed as follows:
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A Group Born from 2007 to 2009
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B Group Born from 2010 to 2012
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C Group Born from 2013 to 2016
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D Group Born from 2017 to 2019
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Adult Group Born from 2006 and earlier
If there are not at least 3 competitors in an event in Southern Kung Fu, it will be combined with Northern Kung Fu.
Northern Kung Fu Challenge Division
This division separates athletes by age and gender, and each athlete can compete in up to five events: Barehand, Long Weapon, Short Weapon, Flexible Weapon, and Double Weapon.
The Northern Kung Fu Challenge Division age groups are listed as follows:
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A Group Born from 2007 to 2009
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B Group Born from 2010 to 2012
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C Group Born from 2013 to 2016
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D Group Born from 2017 to 2019
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Adult Group Born from 2006 and earlier
If there are not at least 3 competitors in an event in Northern Kung Fu, it will be combined with Southern Kung Fu.
Internal Challenge Division
This division separates athletes by age and gender, and each athlete can compete in
Taiji Barehand Yang, Chen or Other Styles
Taiji Sword in Yang, Chen, or Other Styles
Other Taiji Weapons
Other Internal Weapons
Bagua or Xingyi
Other Internal Forms
Simplified 24 form
Also new for 2024 is a Two Person Fighting Set.
The Internal Challenge Division age groups are listed as follows:
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Internal Youth Born from 2007 and later
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Internal Adult Born from 1970 - 2006
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Internal Senior Born from 1960 to 1969
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Internal Elder Born from 1959 and earlier
The Internal Challenge Division has a time requirement for all Internal routines:
Minimum three (3) minutes and maximum five (5) minutes for each barehand routine. For every five (5) seconds over or short of the time limit will receive 0.1 deductions from the final score. The Chief Judge will give a warning at four (4) minutes.
The Simplified 24 form may go for 6 minutes.
Minimum one (1) minute and maximum five (5) minutes for each weapon routine. For every five (5) seconds over or short of the time limit will receive 0.1 deductions from the final score. The Chief Judge will give a warning at four (4) minutes.
Non vocal music is encouraged in the Internal Events.
Wushu Challenge Division
This division separates athletes by age and gender, and each athlete can compete up to five events: Barehand, Long Weapon, Short Weapon, Traditional Barehand, Flexible Weapon or Double Weapon.
The Wushu Challenge Division age groups are listed as follows:
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A Group Born from 2007 to 2009
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B Group Born from 2010 to 2012
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C Group Born from 2013 to 2016
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D Group Born from 2017 to 2019
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Adult Group Born from 2005 and earlier
Two Person Fighting Set
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The two person fighting set can include Barehand or weapons. Wushu and / or Kung Fu event takes place on Saturday and Internal fighting set takes place on Sunday. This event is coed and has 2-3 minutes to complete. Music is encouraged.
Elite Wushu Division
The Elite Wushu Athlete is required to compete with IWUF standardized routines with appointed time requirements on all age groups.
This division separates athletes by age and gender, and each athlete can compete in up to three events: Barehand, Long Weapon, and Short Weapon.
The Elite Wushu Division age group is listed as following:
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A Group Born from 2007 to 2009
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B Group Born from 2010 to 2012
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C Group Born from 2013 to 2018
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Adult Group Born from 2006 and earlier (No Nandu requirement)
The IWUF Standardized Routines for each age group is listed as following:
• A Group competes in 3rd International or Self Compulsory Routines
• B Group competes in 1st International Standardized Routines
• C Group competes in International Elementary 3rd Routines
• Adult Group competes in Self Compulsory Routines, No Nandu requirement
Padded Weapons Division
The Padded Weapons Division age groups are listed as follows
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Children Born from 2015-2018
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Teen Born from 2010-2014
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Adult Born from 1975-2009
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Senior Born from 1965-1974
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Elders Born from 1964 and earlier
Children, Teen Senior, and Elder Divisions are limited to 8 athletes.
These Divisions will split into 2 groups and use a round robin system to produce the winner of the group.
The second level is the fight for the championship
3 points and ties worth 1 point.
Overall ties are broken by the number of points scored in a round.
The Adult Division is limited to 16 athletes.
This Division is split into 4 groups and uses a round robin system to produce the winner of the group.
The second level is by elimination.
The third level is the fight for the championship.
The winner is determined by the total score with rounds won worth 3 points and ties worth 1 point.
Overall ties are broken by the number of points scored in a round.
See detailed Rules for the Padded Weapons Division here.
