Today, most Olympic events, as we know them, originated in Europe or North America. Modern sports have been part of Chinese culture for just over a century. Notably, among the 32 sports currently included in the Summer Olympics, only badminton, judo, and taekwondo originated in Asia, while the others trace their origins back to Western countries.  

Zheng Qinwen, gold medalist in women's singles tennis at the Tokyo Olympics.

In fact, ancient China developed over 200 unique sports, many of which have histories spanning thousands of years, and, interestingly, share similarities with the origins of modern sports.

This article will introduce you to three representative Chinese traditional sports.

Martial Arts

For many people, martial arts films featuring legends like Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan were their first introduction to Chinese martial arts, creating a lasting impression that all Chinese individuals are unbeatable masters of kung fu.  

Bruce Lee in a scene from "The Way of the Dragon" (1972).

The origins of martial arts date back to ancient times when early humans developed hand-to-hand techniques such as punching, kicking, and grappling. They also used basic stone and wooden tools for defense against the natural world. These early combat techniques laid the foundation for what would become Chinese martial arts.  

Over time, structured martial techniques were integrated into military training to strengthen soldiers. By the Tang and Song dynasties, martial arts had become an official subject in the imperial exams, marking a golden age of development. This era saw the rise of influential schools such as Shaolin, Wudang, Emei, and Southern Fist, which continue to have a lasting impact today.  

"The Legend of the Condor Heroes" (2017), based on Jin Yong's classic wuxia novel of the same name.

For the Chinese people, martial arts have long been more than just a form of combat; over the centuries, they evolved into an art form rich in Eastern aesthetics. Martial arts embody traditional Chinese philosophical ideals such as "harmony between humanity and nature" and "following natural principles." They also reflect a chivalric spirit that values justice, courage, loyalty, and honor.  

Even if you don't practice martial arts, you can learn the traditional Chinese martial arts greeting: placing the right fist in the left palm. The fist signifies humility and modesty, while the open palm represents the vast world. Together, they symbolize humility, unity, and the ethos of friendship through martial arts—a respectful gesture.

Dragon Boat

In southern China, every year during the Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, people gather to race boats decorated with dragon motifs in an enthusiastic competition on the river.  

The origins of the festival date back to the Warring States period, and it commemorates Qu Yuan, a patriotic poet who drowned himself after being exiled and unable to serve his country. According to legend, villagers raced in boats to keep fish away from his body, thus beginning the dragon boat tradition.

Today, people participate in dragon boat racing each summer to honor Qu Yuan while also praying for a bountiful harvest and favorable weather.  

Upon closer examination, dragon boat racing shares some similarities with rowing in the UK and canoeing in North America. However, unlike these competitive sports that focus solely on speed and victory, dragon boat racing is rich in seasonal and cultural significance—part ritual to honor the gods and part celebration for public enjoyment.

Cuju

Another sport that dates back to the Warring States period is cuju, which was originally developed for military training.

By the Han dynasty, it had become a popular and highly skilled sport, with emperors like Liu Bang and Liu Ao taking a deep interest in it.  

In formal cuju games, two teams of six players competed to score goals by kicking a ball into the net—does that sound familiar? In 2004, FIFA officially recognized cuju as the earliest form of soccer.  

During the Song dynasty, the competitive goal-scoring style was replaced by a performance-based style that focused on skill, with players keeping the ball in the air. In "Water Margin" (水浒传), one of China's great classical novels, the character Gao Qiu rises to prominence through his cuju skills, reflecting the popularity of cuju as a form of entertainment in China's history.  

Emperor Taizu play Cuju.

Like sports around the world, traditional Chinese sports such as martial arts, dragon boat racing, and cuju evolved from practical needs in daily life, production, and military training, while also developing distinct cultural and recreational qualities.