中國功夫成青少年新寵

趙麗寧

中國武術，也被稱為功夫或武術，擁有3，000多年的歷史，近年來，它在年輕一代中越來越受歡迎。

難詞探意

1. martial arts 武術

2. apprentice /??prent?s/ n. 學徒

3. endow /?n?da?/ v. 賦予

Chinese martial arts， also known as kung fu or wushu， boasts a history of over 3，000 years， but used to be popular only among Chinas middle?aged and elderly population. In recent years， however， it has increased in popularity among younger generations， thanks to a rise in competitions， access to free lessons during school holidays， and greater government support.

In January， the International Olympic Committee confirmed that wushu would make its debut as an official sport at the 2022 Dakar Youth Olympic Games. “Its exciting news for martial arts lovers， because its a good chance to raise awareness of this wonderful sport， and we hope it features in the summer Olympic Games one day，” says Wang Liang， chief range officer of the Ningxia championship. “More teenagers are engaged in martial arts competitions nowadays， and their competitiveness is improving daily，” adds Wang. In the Ningxia championship， the category for children aged between 7 and 12 years old accounted for 60 percent of all competitors. In another martial arts championship for people of all ages held in early August， junior competitors accounted for 90 percent of the 497 entrants.

Zhao Yan， 17， won two gold medals at a regional martial arts championship for teenagers held recently in Ningxia， Northwest China. Born in Yinchuan， at the age of 11， Zhao Yan was sent by her parents to Henan Province， where there is a strong tradition of teaching kung fu. During her two years in Henan， she lived with other apprentices and learned to take care of herself. “Everyday martial arts training was so fantastic that I even forgot to eat on several occasions，” Zhao says， adding that practicing martial arts has endowed her with independence， confidence and optimism. Nowadays， Zhao studies at a sports college in Ningxia majoring in martial arts， and her enthusiasm for this traditional Chinese sport makes every days hard workout enjoyable. “I will seize the moment and try my best in every event. My goal is to enter university with my talent in martial arts， and Im confident in myself，” says Zhao.

Thanks to the influence of Bruce Lee， kung fu films and other factors， over 120 million people across the world are engaged in martial arts， an ancient sport containing Chinese cultural meanings like virtue and ceremony.

[Reading][Check]

1. What may make the kung fu become popular among the young？

A. Support from government.

B. More school holidays for students.

C. The attraction of Chinese martial arts.

D. Encouragement from elderly population.

2. Whats Wangs attitude towards martial arts？

A. Neutral.

B. Unclear.

C. Positive.

D. Suspicious.

3. What can we learn from the Ningxia championship？

A. Junior competitors accounted for 90 percent.

B. Children took up a large percent of all competitors.

C. Elderly people took up 40 percent of all competitors.

D. Middle?aged people accounted for 60 percent of all competitors.

4. How does kung fu influence Zhao Yan？

A. It makes her eat less on many occasions.

B. It makes her lose interest in playing sports.

C. It makes her contact her parents less.

D. It makes her become more independent.