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The Shaolin Wushu Duanwei System is a hierarchical system the International Shaolin Wushu Federation formulated to evaluate the professional level of Shaolin Wushu practitioners. In many ways, the Duanwei system can be compared to the Japanese Martial Arts Dan System, which has become an international benchmark for its practitioners.
The evaluation targets of the Shaolin Wushu Duanwei System embrace Wushu ethics and etiquette, theory, technique and skills. For high Duanwei levels, applicants also need to display their achievements in Wushu theory and their contributions to the development of Wushu.
According to recognised evaluation systems, universal critical points are Ethic, Tonus, Explosive/initial power, Precision/determination, Flow, Contemplation/understanding, View/eye contact, and Stance.
These key points are mainly used to evaluate forms. But, they can also be used during duilian (pair work) evaluation or applications/partner exercises.
The Duanwei evaluation system is a step-by-step from low to a high examination of the Wushu standards requirements.
Comparing the Duanwei system with the University will give you a better understanding.
1. Elementary Duanwei (1st Duan, 2nd Duan, 3rd Duan) comparable to the University study for three years: years of study, practical and technical skills assessed.
2. Intermediate levels are for teachers and instructors with experience and knowledge acquired during teaching and practising. The age and number of years of practice are considered. One person cannot jump over the grades. The 5-Duan – to Senior Lecturer; and the 6-Duan – to Professor. The 4-Duan would roughly correspond to a Lecturer in the university system. Lecturers in Wushu have to go through the system and be assessed, so they all have different levels of expertise. The Duan levels 3-6 are assessed based on two forms (bare hand and weapon) of their choice. The highest technical level is the 6-Duan.
3. Advanced Levels: Those who have held the 6-Duan and practised for another six years, passed theoretical and practical exams, made remarkable achievements in theoretical research and are at least 45 years old and “noble-minded in Wushu virtues” are qualified to apply for the Seventh Duan. The 8-Duan is usually given for additional work worldwide in academic knowledge and promoting the arts. The 9-Duan is reserved for only a few distinguished masters considered “living treasures” like Grandmaster Wu Bin.
There are the following divisions in the Duanwei grading:
The International Shaolin Wushu Federation is dedicated to running regular training sessions for instructors teaching Wushu and practitioners interested in their personal development and professional growth.
International applicants are welcome but must have practised Wushu for at least two years. They should demonstrate their technical skills, theoretical knowledge, and understanding of Wushu ethics and etiquette. A panel of professional assessors awards the Duans.
Minimum age: 6 years old
Adhere to and understand the ethics & Wushu philosophy
Systematic practising Wushu
Minimum age: 11 years old; Minimum practice: 3 years
Minimum age: 12 years old; Minimum practice: 4 years
Minimum age: 13 years old; Minimum practice: 5 years
Promote the ethics & Wushu philosophy
Ability to teach & understand technical aspects of Wushu
Minimum age: 30 years old; Minimum practice: 7 years
Minimum age: 35 years old; Minimum practice: 9 years
Minimum age: 40 years old; Minimum practice: 11 years
Promote the ethics & Wushu philosophy
A significant contribution to the development of Wushu
Theoretical research of Wushu
Minimum age: 46 years old; Minimum practice: 17 years
Minimum age: 53 years old; Minimum practice: 24 years
Minimum age: 51 years old; Minimum practice: 32 years
Steps to follow when taking part in the grading
Complete the “Duanwei Grading Application” form
Make the required payment for the grading you wish to do
Receive a “Confirmation email” for the payment
Prepare a video of the form or skill you wish to grade
Upload the video link as a reply to the “Confirmation email”
Shifu Shi Yanjun will review the video practice
Receive the Duanwei Certificate electronically
To join the Duanwei grading, you must complete an Application Form with the required details. All the applications will be checked for accuracy of the details.
Upload the video link as a reply to the “Confirmation email”
After you record your video practice, we strongly advise you to watch the video before you decide to upload it. You can upload the video when you are confident that your practice meets the required standard.
You can use Youtube, Vimeo, Google Drive, Wetransfer, or any cloud storage platform. Please make sure you allow us to watch the video. On Youtube, uploading ensure the video is not private but unpublished.
It will take no more than 10 working days for the review to be completed.
The practice is reviewed and graded by the team of Shaolin Temple Yunnan and International Shaolin Wushu Federation led by Shifu Shi Yanjun, 1st Class Referee certified by the General Administration of Sports of China and 7 Duanwei from the Chinese Wushu Association.
The essential aspects of the forms include accuracy of the stances and techniques, correct flow of the form, speed of the movements, power projected, and body coordination ( eyes and hands, hands and waist, waist and hips, hips and legs, legs and ankles), and Qi.
International Shaolin Wushu Federation issue the Duanwei certifications.