China’s Armies Trained in Kung Fu… So Why Did They Abandon It?

China gave the world Kung Fu. So why did its military move away from traditional martial arts? For centuries, Chinese martial arts developed an extraordinary reputation, built on legendary masters, disciplined training, and complex fighting techniques. But the reality of warfare demanded something different. During the Ming Dynasty, General Qi Jiguang examined the role of unarmed combat in military training. Centuries later, modern weapons, changing battlefield conditions, and the need for practical combat readiness reshaped how Chinese forces approached hand-to-hand fighting. From traditional martial arts and the Dadao sword units to Sanda and modern close-quarters combat training, this is the story of how military priorities evolved. And in 2020, reports that professional MMA fighters were recruited to train Chinese border troops raised an even bigger question: what matters more in combat—the tradition behind a fighting style, or its effectiveness under pressure? The answer is more complicated than simply declaring Kung Fu obsolete. This is the difference between preserving a martial arts tradition and preparing for the realities of modern combat. What do you think? Has traditional martial arts been left behind, or have its most practical principles simply evolved? Subscribe to SportEye for more stories about martial arts, combat sports, and the reality behind legendary fighting systems. China’s Armies Trained in Kung Fu… So Why Did They Abandon It? #kungfu #china #martialarts #abandoned #legend