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Parkour comes to Beijing

It might not be an Olympic sport yet, but Parkour, the urban pastime that originated in the suburbs of Paris, has arrived in Beijing. The "art of displacement" or "art of moving," Parkour is an activity which involves getting from one point to another as efficiently as possible using only the human body. Students at the Beijing Film Academy have started a 12-strong Parkour club led by 22-year-old student Du Yize. Du says his club has incorporated a distinctly Chinese element into their version of Parkour, combining traditional Chinese kung fu with the trendy sport. "Anyone who wants to learn Parkour in our club needs to learn some basic skills of kung fu first," Du tells Reuters Blogs. Watch this video of a Beijing Parkour clan above, or click here to see photos of Du and his friends practicing their moves.

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By Adrienne Wong in on July 14, 2008 12:04 PM

Comments [rss]

  • nanheyangrouchuan

    Is that the same stuff that was in the last James Bond movie?

  • gillsans

    跑酷... I like that.

  • dedlam

    Skateboards must be getting expensive these days...



    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Odj8QPYiZO8

    That's the scene from Casino Royale.



    :-)

  • jenming

    At least from the video, i couldn't tell how kung fu was integrated into the Parkour. It just looked like parkour.

  • James Creegan

    That guy jumping over a rail onto another rail at the end was pure sickness.

  • Nice to see a parkour team here, although the whole 'we have Chinese elements' and kung fu thing is tired.



    The parkour community has already been through all that. There was a big wave of 'tricking' and also martial arts movements entering Parkour and then a series of debates and fights over what Parkour is or isn't. Finally David Belle clarified that it's the most efficient or economical way of neutralizing the obstacle that stands in the way of your run. Then all the 'tricking' was reigned in.



    The flashy movies didn't help though (they are cool). Yamakasi and Fils du Vent.



    Unless the Beijing team means the Wushu sport and its basic gymastics training, otherwise I cant see how basic kung fu skills (cross, jab, horse stance, blocking etc) can help your Parkour.



    Anyone in Shanghai like Parkour - or, just as good and without the need to be an athlete, infiltration?



    Check it out

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