Ma Yigu (L) of China vies with Bintang Reindra Nada Guitara of Indonesia during the Wushu Men's 60kg Final at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province on Aug. 3, 2023. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
After the Chengdu Universiade, martial arts participants and Wushu athletes spoke highly of the organization, hoping to expand the global influence of martial arts.
LANZHOU, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- After the culmination of the Wushu tournament and the Chengdu Universiade's closing ceremony, Michal Ignatowicz, a member of the IWUF (International Wushu Federation) technical committee, expressed admiration for the organization and impact of the martial arts competition.
"All events of the Wushu tournament were held successfully," said Michal, noting that "youths throughout the world have experienced the charm of martial arts at the Universiade."
Many international martial arts participants, like Michal, express confidence in expanding the global influence of Wushu.
Jin Zhedian of China competes during the Wushu Men's Daoshu at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games on July 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
"Kung Fu movies inspired me to learn martial arts when I was a kid," said Erbakan Necmettin Akyuz from Turkey, a Wushu athlete competing in men's Changquan and Daoshu at the Universiade. He added that he has been to many Chinese cities to practice martial arts since 2009.
"Martial arts is one of the best ways of communication for youths around the globe," said the 21-year-old Erbakan, expressing his aspiration to "teach more and more youths to practice Wushu in the future."
Participants from over 30 countries and regions engaged in 20 different Wushu events at the Universiade. For many, their martial arts journey began in childhood.
Mandy Cebelle Chen of Malaysia competes during the Wushu Women's Taijiquan at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games on July 29, 2023. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Mandy Chen from Malaysia, a bronze medalist in women's Taijiquan, shared, "Wushu means something very different to me."
The 20-year-old continued to explain that she has grown to understand "the traditional Chinese culture behind martial arts during the past few years."
A dedicated Wushu stage was established at the Universiade, allowing athletes and fans to appreciate the beauty of martial arts.
Isabella Miller, a 22-year-old American from Chapman University participating in women's Jianshu and Qiangshu, said that she frequently communicates with other athletes on Wushu technique during competitions.
Sham Hui Yu of China's Hong Kong competes during the Wushu Women's Qiangshu at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games on July 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
With roots extending back several millennia in China, martial arts, known as Wushu or Kung Fu, are experiencing a surge in global interest, especially in the realms of traditional Chinese culture.
Li Shaocheng, the competition director of the Wushu tournament at the Chengdu Universiade, opined, "The martial arts events promote cultural exchange among young people worldwide at the Universiade," further highlighting that Wushu holds the potential to "level up the development of a multicultural world." ■
