Milano, Italy.Since 1985.
The Wushu Ruyi story is tied to the story of two Italian brothers: Walter and Paolo Lorini.
Two renowned champions, martial arts masters who turned the queen of the Asian disciplines into their source of absolute dedication: Wushu.
In 1985 Walter and Paolo design and develop the first shoes specifically suited for this sport: that’s how the sneakers for the “Wushu” were born.
Authentic and unmistakable, only the “Wushu” sneakers are characterized by the RU YI: a very ancient Oriental symbol that is told by the historic knowledge to be the amulet belonging to the emperors of Qing dynasty (1644 – 1911), while the spiritual wisdom says it had a very rich meaning. The RU YI, actually, is the instrument used to fulfill the desires of the heart.
The beginning
1968, Milano. At a very early age Paolo and Walter Lorini are enrolled by their father to take Karate lessons at one of Milan’s first Dojo’s.
Soon they both become protagonists in this category and Paolo racks up five wins at the Italian Championships.
This was the prelude of the crucial discovery of a thousand year old art form that was almost unknown in Italy at the time, the Wushu.
The evolution
In 1978 The Lorini brothers became the first Italians to migrate from Karate to the Wushu discipline and to focus mainly on this practice.
They were part of the Italian National Wushu team between 1982 and 1987. That year Walter wins the European Champions title in Barcelona and goes on to become the first Italian athlete to be awarded with a Taiji gold metal. He also becomes the first Italian Shaolin monk (32nd generation).
The birth of the shoes for the Wushu
Meanwhile in 1985 Walter and Paolo design and develop the first shoes specifically suited for this sport: that’s how the sneakers for the “Wushu” were born.