The contemporary Wushu event Nanquan is a modern style created in 1960 derived
from martial arts derived in the Chinese provinces south of the Yangtze
River and predominantly those styles popular in Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian and Zhejiang. The
basis of contemporary Nánquán hail primarily from traditional Cantonese family styles
of Hong (Hung), Li (Lei), Liu (Lau), Mo (Mok) and Cai (Choi) along with their
more contemporary Kung Fu variants of Choi Lei Fut, Hung Ga and Wing
Chun.
Contemporary Nanquan features vigorous, athletic movements with very
stable, low stances, extensive hand techniques and a vocal articulation called
fasheng ("release shout") which is the predecessor of the Japanese
and Korean martial arts kiai. Power is driven from sharp waist movement
with special emphasis on fast stance transition to generate power and speed in
the arms. Signature hand techniques of Nanquan are the consecutive downward
strikes of the left and right fist called Gua Gai Quan (Gwa Kup Kuen), and
consecutive upper cut while driving forward called Paoquan. There are
relatively few kicks in Nanquan although the Tengkong Pantui Cepu, flying cross
legs kick and land on the side) and Li Yu Da Ting (carp skip-up) are very
common in advanced Nanquan routines.