Feminine Consciousness and Agency in Olympic Skill Demonstration, Wartime-Everydayness, and Immigrant Life: A discourse on Chinese Martial Arts Athletes Fu and Liu
1. Chinfang Kuo- 2. Hsienwei Kuo

1. Department of Sport Management, Aletheia University-

2. Center for General Education, National Tainan Institute of Nursing

Abstract

Life histories of female martial artists from China have received little academic attention within women^s sporting history. Therefore, through an analysis of the oral accounts, archives and files, media reports, and biographies of martial artists Fu Shuyun (1916-2004) and Liu Yuhua (1916-2008), we highlight their feminine consciousness and agency, as demonstrated during different phases of their life trajectories. After years of training, they became the two of the first three female martial artists to feature on the Chinese national team^s roster for the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Their physical and psychological experience of being scrutinized by both Westerners and Chinese people during their performances led to a reflection on and practice against the semi-feudal norms and discourses imposed on the female body (i.e., foot-binding versus ^natural feet^). During wartime everydayness, their role and status differed from that of traditional Chinese women, both in public and private spheres. The portrayal of these iconic martial artists in this study contributes to the literature on female martial arts history, alternative wartime everydayness, and domestic gender relations. As a rich case study on female Chinese athletes^ self-identity, I-expression, and -empowerment, it can be used for future cross-cultural comparative research on gender norms in global sports.

Keywords: martial arts- natural feet- foot-binding- gender subjectivity- agency

Topic: Gender and sports in Asian societies