DAKAR, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games mark a new chapter in wushu's international development, International Wushu Federation (IWUF) Secretary General Zhang Yuping said at a media briefing here on Sunday.
Zhang described wushu's Youth Olympic debut as the result of decades of collective effort by the global wushu community.
"The first Olympic sporting event held on African soil offers a valuable opportunity to share wushu's beauty, cultural richness and values with young people worldwide. The IWUF will continue working with its member federations and partners to make the sport more accessible and widely recognized," she said.
IWUF Vice President and African Wushu Kungfu Federation President Sherif Mostafa said the Games offer young African athletes an opportunity to compete at a high level on home soil and could inspire more young people across the continent to take up wushu.
According to Li Yongqiang, the wushu event delegate at Dakar 2026 and chairman of the IWUF Technical Committee, 47 athletes from 46 countries and regions are competing in four events: men's and women's Changquan combined and men's and women's Taijiquan combined. The competition runs from November 1 to 3, with four gold medals at stake.
"Sports are about more than winning medals. It also builds resilience and character," said Lai Xiaoxiao, the wushu Athlete Role Model for Dakar 2026 and chair of the IWUF Athletes' Committee. "I hope to share my experience with younger generations and help them grow through sports." ■
