Jamshedpur, Sept. 1: Swords clashed and the audience held their breath.

The spectators were awe-struck as the participants’ gleaming Chinese blades swished through the air at the 13th National Wushu (Kung Fu) Championship. In contrast, indigenous swords and spears had no takers as the Wushu Association of India (WAI) was forced to use the Chinese weapons as they were of superior quality.

The dazzling weapons — which are important components of the Taoli event —became the cynosure of all eyes at the Wushu meet.

“Wushu” is the term for Chinese martial arts. During the last 30 years, Wushu in Mainland China was modernised to make it a standard for training and competing. Consequently, Wushu became an athletic performance and a competitive sport.

Taoli (routine competition) and Sanshou (fighting) were the two events of the national meet. According to WAI general secretary Anand Kacker, they tried to procure weapons from the local market but have failed to come up with the required standard and specifications.

Kacker, who is also the general secretary of South Asian Wushu Federation, added that the Chinese weapons were made of special steel.

“The special steel, which the Chinese manufacturers use to make the weapons, is not available in our country. So we are forced to buy Chinese weapons as they are more flexible and of better quality. We are left with no other option but to use the Chinese weapons,” he told The Telegraph.

“The weapons emit a characteristic sound whenever they come in contact with another weapon. Be it a spear, broad sword (Nandao), straight sword, cudgels and Nandgun (heavy stick), all create a distinct sound. Such quality is not available among indigenous weapons,” he said. The WAI official said the price of the Chinese weapons ranges from Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,000 and were generally procured from Beijing. “We procure the weapons through the Chinese embassy as well as from individual participants who go to China to compete in Wushu meets. Procuring weapons from China is a costly affair. But we are helpless,” he said.

“The Chinese sword is superb. It is soft and flexible. It makes me more confident while competing in the Taolu event,” said a participant from Manipur.

The events of the championship, which was inaugurated by state transport minister Madhavlal Singh, kicked off today due to the large turnout of participants. About 650 participants came for the meet.

“Only the inaugural ceremony was slated for today. But the huge number of participants forced us to hold the Sanshou (fighting) and Taulu (routine competition) today, to avoid delay,” JWA officials said.